More From Our Time in DC

Our time in Washington, DC, for the pre-departure orientation was shorter than I would have liked, since I got to meet so many people who have taught English in so many different parts of the world. In retrospect, I now realize that I didn't pay enough attention to much of the information briefings we were being given, but instead found it difficult to resist the temptation to treat the experience like any other ESOL educators conference, where textbook publishers are handing out or selling all sorts of wonderful stuff. But mainly, it was a chance to get to know dozens of new colleagues whose experiences are far wider and more extensive than my own. Having taught students in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, who have come from Yemen, Myanmar (Burma), China, and other places, it's quite an experience to meet other American teachers who have actually spent time teaching in my students' home countries. Despite my background and other limitations, most all of them seemed willing to treat me as a colleague, and that's an attitude that was appreciated more than they imagine. They offer a perspective I couldn't have gotten anywhere else, and I expect to spend months combing through "bios" and sending email messages. Most of my messages will simply say "Thank you!"

Washington has its difficulties, like any other U.S. city, but I am always glad to visit and as an American, I'm proud of our nation's capital. A few more random street-hiking photographs...

Outside Union Station...always my favorite way to arrive in DC.












Our National Archives building, facing the Navy Memorial. "Thank you!" to all vets!











Pennsylvania Avenue looking toward the Capitol.











Civil War general on horseback...someone please remind me which one!











Archives, different angle.












Brick work on a sidewalk with some sort of Mesoamerican design, visually interesting and had me looking in the direction of my shoes for several minutes.








Fountain at the Navy Memorial. Water flowing over stones is a monument theme repeated often, probably because the sight and sound are both so peaceful.