Washingtonians beyond Capitol Hill
Autor: Ayrton Ribeiro | Publicado: 2012-07-16T11:51:00-07:00

World capitals have a reason to be. They are the epicentre of national politics and in most of the cases also congregates some of the most pleasurable attractions of a country for delight of its citizens, governors and, of course, as a way to impress the international tourists.

However, what can be said about the international professionals in 
Washington D.C.? In my particular case, a couple of months sufficed to 
make me feel at home in this centre of world power.




Though Washington is well-known for its intense networking environment 
and congressional lobbying, what is not known is the high quality of 
life and wide array of venues one can enjoy outside the office. 

Let us start with the world-renowned National Mall, the 4 miles-long 
open field flanked on all sides by some of the most important museums, 
monuments and Governmental institutions of the world. It is home to the 
Smithsonian Museums (American Art Museum, American History Museum, 
American Indian Museum, Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Portrait
 Gallery, Air and Space Museum, among many others), and multiple 
memorials commemorating American wars (e.g., World War II, Vietnam War, 
Korean War), as well as national heroes (e.g., Abraham Lincoln, Martin 
Luther King, Thomas Jefferson). All these captivating landmarks of 
American pride can be seen under the constant vigilance of the 555 ft 
tall obelisk, the Washington Monument. Before you know, you are 
surrounded by the century-old cherry trees contouring the Tidal Basin. Of course, we cannot forget the splendid 100 years-old OAS Headquarters building on Constitution Avenue!





Washington is home to no less than 176 
Embassies, making the American capital an epicenter of world diplomacy. 
Many of these are located along the charming Massachusetts Avenue,  
known locally as "Embassy Row". Those interested in the backstages 
of international diplomacy and their respective culinary delights, will 
be more than pleased by the panoply of events hosted by these honorable 
envoys of the world to the United States.












As a matter of fact, Washignton constitutes a city with a lot of diversity itself. Founded in 1791 on lands donated by the States of Virgina and Maryland, and designed by the french-born architect L'Enfant, the District of Columbia is home of the biggest Ethiopian communtiy in the world outside Ethiopia. Salvadorians, Mexicans, Colombians, Hondurians, collectively referred as "Latinos", have also left a valuable imprint at the heart of American capital. Put together with the international employees from all the embassies, the World Bank, the Organization of American States, the IMF, the IDB and so on, Washignton can represent a place where cultures from all over the world interact and dialogue (no matter if the dialogue represents a search for economic or political support, which is the most common case in the corridors and offices of its sumptuous buildings).






As a young professional in the capital, you will find no few opportunities to increase your contacts but also many of the attractions that make life more beautiful. Parks where you can read a Jane Austen's novel or read the last scandal in the Washington Post are all over. Dancing is not exactly the greatest characteristic of the Americans, but the young gregarious soul can find solace in a simple and enjoyable Happy Hour at Vapiano's, Public Bar, Lucky Bar, Science Bar to name a few. 




Being part of the Obama 
family or not, the pressure is unrelenting in this 
city of granite and power suits. But also, whether a policymaker or 
not, great experiences await for those who come with hopes to change the
 world and enjoy the simple pleasures of life at same time.