Part Deux
This weekend didn’t start out as smoothly. Sure checking into the hotel was easy, considering he had booked the room and he wasn’t even there yet. But when I got to our room I discovered two full beds.
At first I was gonna just go with it, but something told me to confirm. So I texted him and he told me what I already knew…we were meant to have a queen bed.
After calling down to the lobby, carrying my bag all the way back down again, getting the new room key, and getting the right bed size, I could finally relax, for twenty or so minutes before I had to head out again.
I had hated driving in D.C. ever since a very bad experience some eight years prior, but I was up for the challenge for this trip.
Luckily Google was on my side, and the fifteen minute drive to Union Station was as smooth as can be.
I picked him up and we were on the way back to the hotel. We grabbed a drink at the bar after settling in, but didn’t stay too long because we were eager to be alone.
Saturday morning came too early thanks to the garbage pickup at 6:30 am, but we tried our best to get some more rest. We eventually made it out of bed and started the hunt for some brunch. Though I had the weekend planned out, with an itinerary and everything, by this time I knew that it was more of a guideline for us. I had wanted to take a stroll around the national mall and enjoy some of the World Food Festival that was happening on the grounds, but as usual, we had used up our time getting reacquainted with each other.
We eventually settled for brunch at Ted’s Bulletin, which was on the itinerary, but for Sunday. Still, we got the brunch I wanted for us. We stuffed ourselves with our all American meal, which we planned to work off while walking around the city and on our spy adventure.
At brunch I realized that I had forgotten the tickets for our first museum trip, so our time would be wasted going back to the hotel to grab them. Still, we made the most of it and walked the city like we were locals, just making a pit stop at home before heading out again.
With tickets in hand, well my purse really, we made our way to the International Spy Museum. On the way we passed by extravagant hotels and shopping stores you’d only see in cities like D.C. or NYC, or L.A. He loved how much greenery there was in D.C., he said that it was the one thing D.C. did better than NYC. While he was taking in the sights, I was taking him in. Watching him be enamored with “my” city gave me a giddy feeling I hadn’t expected.
Once we reached the museum we realized we did have some time to spare, so we took a stroll through the store, and took in all of the fun and funky spy merchandise. We saw tees with quirky quotes on them, and gadgets that could get you in trouble. The store also got extra brownie points from us because they had a whole section dedicated to Harry Potter, and as forever fans, in typical fashion, we geeked out over it.
Our geekout session had to come to an end though, because it was time for Operation Spy. I wanted to make the most of this trip so I went all out. Though I wasn’t sure how it would pan out, I was willing to take the risk. I should have known the risk would be worth it. We had a blast! We got to pretend to be spies in a made up country, on the hunt for a weapon of mass destruction. We ducked and covered, we solved riddles, we infiltrated, we did everything any fan of James Bond, Jack Bauer, Jason Bourne, and Sydney Bristow has ever wanted to do, except ride in an Aston Martin. One Day!!
After the spy mission, we went around the actual museum, which wasn’t as exciting as the previous adventure, but we still enjoyed everything it had to offer.
After exhausting ourselves at the museum and from walking around in the heat, we decided to grab a drink and sit for a while before heading back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. He had a beer while I had a sangria. It was perfect. There was more getting to know each other, and realizing that the feeling of comfort and ease wasn’t just a one or two time thing. It’s just the way we are.
On the way back we walked past the restaurant we had reservations at. He was so excited to eat there, that he couldn’t resist snapping a picture to send to the friend who had recommended it to him, luckily for him, I had already planned on taking him there.
I impressed him with my navigating skills, and ability to remember how to get back to the hotel without any assistance. Once there, we decided to rest for a bit, but we ended up spending too much time in bed and had to rush to get ready for dinner. Yet we did take our time with the little things: he buttoned my dress, and watched me put my lipstick on. He worried about the wrinkles in his shirt, so I helped him smooth them out. We took our time just a bit too much, which is why we decided to uber instead of walk.
I was slightly worried about dinner. He had been overly excited for it, one of his closest friends had told him it was one of the best restaurants in the country. Now those are some high expectations to have, I just wanted the place to be exactly what he had hoped it would be.
It was. He had a great time, as well as the “best hummus” he’s ever had. Once again we stuffed ourselves, this time on hummus, brussel sprouts, orzo, and kabobs. Of course we had to go for dessert too, which was rich and decadent and absolutely perfect.
We decided to forgo the uber, instead choosing to walk off some of our dinner and take advantage of the gorgeous spring night. The slight breeze punched through the heat and rustled the scents of the flowers and trees in the air. I wanted to stay out all night, but our hotel room was calling.
Sunday didn’t greet us with a jaunt as Saturday had, so we took advantage and slept in for a bit, even though checkout was at eleven. I had wanted to take him to the zoo, but the heat was not on our side. So we settled for a showing of ‘Finding Dory’ inside of a heavily air-conditioned theatre, after grabbing a quick bite. ‘Finding Nemo’ was one of his all-time favorites, and I was excited to see his face light up while watching.
Unfortunately, the movie didn’t live up to his expectations; I suppose we couldn’t have a perfect weekend. But I got my chance to make it up to him when he said he wanted pizza for lunch. Right around the corner was one of the best Italian spots I’d ever been to, and I knew he would love it.
Vapiano is a relaxed eatery with some of the best homemade food you’ll ever have. We shared a pizza, and he marveled at the décor. He had a beer while I sipped on a mimosa. We were nearing the last few hours together, and that sullen lull was settling in, but we wouldn’t let it beat us. We headed to the Newseum which would be closing soon, but I had prepaid tickets and he wanted to make the most of them.
I showed him the pieces of the Berlin wall, and Pulitzer prize winning photographs. We quickly walked through the comic books, but sadly couldn’t fit more in before closing time was announced. We sat on a bench outside, watching cars drive on Constitution Ave before grabbing some fresh gelato on the way back.
The walk back was long, tiring and hot, but we didn’t want it to end.
Of course it had to end.
We grabbed my car from the hotel garage, and made our way back to Union Station, which was packed. And for some reason there isn’t a Kiss and Ride there, which added to my ticked off state. We deserved better than a hurried quick goodbye. Next time, I’ll make sure we get better.
