Elmar and Michelle were friendly and generous hosts. I enjoyed getting to know them and now consider them friends. Their townhouse and carriage house are a 10-minute walk from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and also not far from Howard University. The Shaw area is a historic city neighborhood with many buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s; accordingly, there is some litter and signs of wear, but the area felt safe and has many good restaurants--especially Ethiopian. It was a good area for attending a conference and meeting with colleagues for dinner, and Elmar and Michelle were great hosts. I would gladly stay with them again.