I'm finally beginning to get into this town. It's taken me a few months to settle in, but I am beginning to realize what DC has to offer. I have become an observer again just by living here, which is something I used to be more of when I first moved to NYC. Now I rush around that city just to get to where I need to go. But in DC, I feel like I can explore again. This town is definitely strange, and confusing to map out in space and in population. I mainly see tourists downtown or near the mall because I live nearby. I also see commuters, as most people around Capitol Hill are transient running on and off of trains at Union Station (where I frequently commute myself). During the day and at night, the city feels completely empty.
The first month, I spent all of my free time on the mall watching people in groups. People walk, tour, ride by on Segways, point, photograph things, and photograph each other in front of things. This is what you are supposed to do when you visit here (and be in awe of it all). There is this definite power in the draw, as the monuments and buildings are full of history and meaning. On the other hand, they are also these postcards we've collected or watched for years on a film set. I think it's all part of the experience. There is this excitement of documenting it all, in order to show people you were there in real time.
The area in front of The White House is a main gathering place for visitors. I've been thinking about this space a lot. It's a platform for all kinds of activity- from staging a protest to indulging in watching the grounds. This impulse to look is apparent. The White House is the only monument that is currently inhabited. It's a home and they're all in there. What do people think when peering through the fence? I think they're all trying to catch a glimpse of something, of anything. We (and I include myself) have a deep fascination with the president and his family living inside. From all over the world, this is where people seem to gather most.
