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Locked down but not out in Italy

Singing from the balconies! One nice thing about this crisis ... solidarity! “Guess you’re not living like a tourist anymore,” was the funny, truthful and somewhat gut-wrenching message of a friend the day the lockdown in Italy began. Today is day 6. My beloved Italia has been hit hard with the COVID19 epidemic. With the second largest elderly population in the world, the epidemic has meant a disproportionate amount of deaths in the country. So though I haven’t been worried about contracting it myself, this isn’t about me or someone like me who, if contracted it would probably have a sucky couple of weeks and then recover. It is about if someone like me contracted it and then spread it to a person with a complicated health history or an elderly person with a weakened immune system. Eerily orderly: Lines for the grocery store, each person one meter apart In a country with no concept (and no physical room really) for personal space, and in a city with reproachable hygie

Listography D.C.

In order to keep me from getting further distracted and accountable for, not only my one thing of the day, but for making the most out of my time in D.C., I have started a list, yes- a list.

I have picked out 365 things to do, one for each day of the 1-year lease I signed.

Yes, I have already done many of the items on this list. (I had to account for the 5 months I have already spent here!) Besides, my theory is always to put something on a to-do list that is done already. It gives you the feeling of accomplishment and the impetus to keep going.

As you will see, my list is only at 200-some. This is so that I can add things as I come upon them or as they are suggested to me (suggestions welcome!). Here is my work in progress:

Karen's Official Living like a Tourist list- D.C. Edition


For Pity’s Sake (you’re in D.C.!)
  1. White House (inside)
  2. Washington Monument (top)
  3. The Capitol (inside)
  4. Library of Congress
  5. National Archives- Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Magna Carta Originals
  6. Natural History Museum
  7. Air and Space Museum
  8. American Art Museum
  9. National Portrait Gallery
  10. National Art Gallery- West Building
  11. National Art Gallery- East Building
  12. Botanical Gardens
  13. National Arboretum
  14. Cherry Blossom Festival
  15. International Spy Museum 
  16. Crime and Punishment Museum
  17. National Building Museum- Lego Exhibit
  18. National Museum of Women in the Arts
  19. National Zoo
  20. National Aquarium
  21. Lincoln Memorial
  22. Jefferson Memorial
  23. World War I Memorial
  24. World War II Memorial
  25. Moonlight Monument Cruise on the Potomac
  26. Holocaust Museum
  27. Smithsonian Castle
  28. National Museum of the American Indian 
  29. American History Museum- Julia Child's Kitchen
  30. National Museum of African Art
  31. Woodrow Wilson Center
  32. Woodrow Wilson Presidential Exhibit
  33. Old Post Office Pavilion
  34. D.C. Acropolis- Columns that belonged to the Capital
  35. Newseum
  36. John F. Kennedy Center
  37. Ford’s Theater
  38. Dumbarton House
  39. Supreme Court
  40. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
  41. Watergate (inside)
  42. Pentagon (inside)
  43. Georgetown’s M Street
  44. FDR Memorial 
  45. Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial
  46. Korean War Veteran's Memorial
  47. National Archives- Civil War Exhibit
  48. World Bank Building
  49. For Food
  50. Sorriso- Italian-Cleveland Park
  51. Sette- Italian- Dupont
  52. Thaiphoon- Thai- Dupont
  53. Kafe Leopold- Cafe- Georgetown
  54. Bistro du Coin- French- Dupont
  55. Teakwood- Thai & Sushi- 14th Street
  56. La Forchette- French - 18th St.
  57. Rosemary and Thyme- 18th St.
  58. The Diner- American- 18th St.
  59. Dukem- Ethiopian- U St.
  60. Meskerem- Ethiopian - 18th St.
  61. Old City Café of Jerusalem- Falafel- Columbia St.
  62. Grill from Ipanema- Adams Morgan
  63. Napoleon- French Savory Crepes- Adams Morgan
  64. Open City- Woodley Park
  65. Front page- Dupont
  66. Sushi AOI- New York Ave
  67. Lauriol Plaza- Mexican- 18th St.
  68. Straits of Malay- Malaysian- 18th St.
  69. Mandu Korean Restaurant-18th St.
  70. Bayou- Cajun Food- Penn Ave- Foggy Bottom
  71. Mie N Yu- Table with curtains- Georgetown
  72. Perry’s Rooftop
  73. Rosa Mexicano- Penn Quarter
  74. Pete’s New Haven Style Pizza
  75. Pizzeria Paradiso 
  76. Café DuPont- French
  77. Circa - Dupont
  78. Teakwood- Thai/Sushi- 14th Street
  79. Zorba’s Cafe-Greek- Dupont
  80. Indique- Indian- Cleveland Park
  81. Mate- Sushi- K Street
  82. Il Canale- Italian 
  83. Alero- Mexican- Cleveland Park
  84. New Heights  New American- Adams Morgan
  85. Mama Ayesha- Lebanese- Calvert St.
  86. Café Oaxaca - Adams Morgan
  87. Ghana Cafe - 14 Street
  88. Heights- Columbia Heights
  89. Aria - Italian- Federal Triangle
  90. Wasabi- Sushi 
  91. Penang Malaysian Restaurant
  92. James Hobans- Dupont
  93. Meze- Lebanese- Adams Morgan
  94. Amsterdam Shop- Falafel- Adams Morgan
  95. Spices- Asia/Sushi- Cleveland Park
  96. Russia House- Dupont
  97. Sticky Rice- Sticky Balls & Godzirra rolls- Sushi- H & 12.5 St
  98. Bens Chili Bowl- Vegetarian Chili- U Street
  99. Amorini Panini- F Street
  100. Cafe Green- Raw food
  101. Malaysia Kopitiam- Malaysian- Dupont
  102. Camille's- Sandwiches
  103. Madhatter- American- Dupont
  104. Jaleo- Tapas- Penn Quarter
  105. Cashion's Eat Place- Adams Morgan
  106. Marrakesh- Moroccan
  107. Two Amy's- Pizza
  108. Cuba Libre- after it opens in Sept.
  109. Agora- Turkish Restaurant to try the Raki
  110. Haydees- Mexican Food and Live music- Mt. Pleasant
  111. Nam Viet- Vietnamese- Cleveland Park
  112. Crepe Amour- Georgetown- Don't go here! They are rude!
  113. Bistro D'Oc- French- Downtown
  114. Comet Ping Pong- Pizza
  115. Lavandou- Provencal- Cleveland Park
  116. Jyoti- Indian- 18th St.
  117. Bus Boys & Poets- U Street
  118. Oro Pomodoro- Pizza- Rockville
  119. Pupatella- Pizza- Arlington
  120. Grillfish-Seafood
  121. Firehook Bakery
  122. Hot Potato Cafe- E Street (Penn Quarter)
  123. Chop't- a DC craze
  124. El Tamarindo- El Salvadorean & Mexican- Adams Morgan-Florida Ave.
  125. Pasta Mia- Italian- Adams Morgan
  126. Red Rocks Pizza- Columbia Heights
  127. Le Pain Quotidien- Alexandria
  128. Faccia Luna- Thick Crust Carciofi pizza- Clarendon
  129. Bao - Bao dumplings- Vermont Avenue
  130. Nando's Peri-Peri
  131. Asian Spice- Sapporo on Draft
  132. Justin's Cafe- Portobello/ spinach spread sandwich- yum!- Near Nats Stadium
  133. Love Cafe- U Street
  134. Birch & Barley- 14th Street
  135. Rustico- Pizza- Alexandria
  136. Utopia- U Street
  137. Zaytinya-Mediterranean- Penn Quarter
  138. Mai Thai- 19th Street
  139. Cosmopolitan Grill- Balkans- Burek (not on the menu)- Alexandria
  140. Oyamel- Penn Quarter
  141. Slaviya- Serbian & E. European- Adams Morgan
  142. Asia Nine- Sushi- E Street
  143. Montmartre- French- Capitol Hill
  144. Dalchini- Indian- Dupont Circle
  145. Hotel Tabard Inn Restaurant- N Street
  146. Local 16- U Street
  147. Pasara Thai- Dupont
  148. Tonic-Brunch- Mt. Pleasant
  149. Social- Columbia Heights
  150. Jandara Thai Restaurant- Woodley Park- Not good!
  151. Founding Farmers- Penn Ave
  152. Iron Gate- N Street- CLOSED
  153. Sonoma- Italian- Capital Hill
  154. Sushi Ko- Glover Park
  155. Hollywood East Cafe- Dim Sum- Wheaton
  156. Paul- French Bakery- Penn Quarter
  157. For a Night out
  158. Buddha Bar
  159. 9:30 Club
  160. Madam’s Organ
  161. Bossa
  162. Foreign Language Cinema on E Street
  163. Habana Village- Salsa
  164. Paul Oakenfold DJ live in D.C.
  165. Screen on the green
  166. Silver Theater- Silver Spring
  167. Napoleon
  168. Verizon Center
  169. Red Derby- Board Games & beer
  170. Country Club- Mini Golf course inside the bar- H street
  171. Shelly's Back Room- Cigar Lounge- F Street
  172. Mambo Room- Low-key dancing- Adams Morgan
  173. Rocket Bar- skeeball machines & games
  174. Bohemian Caverns
  175. Soussi- Hookah
  176. Chi Cha Lounge- Hookah & Live music
  177. For the Spirit
  178. St. Matthews Cathedral
  179. National Cathedral
  180. Washington Mormon Temple
  181. Franciscan Monastery- replicas of Holy Land sites in the Chapel and grotto
  182. Santa Rosaria (Holy Rosary)- Italian Church
  183. National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception- Basilica
  184. Tour of the Basilica of the National Shrine
  185. Sagrada Corazon- Haitian Catholic Mass- 16th street
  186. St. Patrick's Church- Oldest Parish in D.C.
  187. For Sport
  188. Nationals Stadium at Navy Yards
  189. Nationals Game @ Nats Stadium
  190. Orioles vs. Nationals Game (I can cheer for both, can't I?)
  191. D.C. United Game
  192. Capitals Hockey Game
  193. D.C. RollerGirls
  194. Bowie Baysox Game
  195. Frederick Keys Game
  196. Richmond Flying Squirrels Game (because I have to watch a team with flying squirrels as the mascot!!)
  197. Support Runners- Marine Corps Marathon
  198. For A Sweet Tooth
  199. Cake love- 44th Cupcake "Salted Caramel"
  200. Georgetown Cupcake- Bethesda Row Location
  201. Georgetown Cupcake- Secret Cupcake
  202. Georgetown Cupcake's Saturdays Mint Cookies & Creme Cupcake
  203. Red Velvet's Red Velvet cupcake (duh)
  204. Pitango- Cardammom flavor
  205. Pitango- Spicy Chocolate flavor 
  206. Larry’s Homemade Ice Cream
  207. Café Dolcezza 
  208. Dolci Gelati
  209. Yogenfruz 
  210. Tangy Sweet 
  211. Schokolade 
  212. Hook- lingonberry linzertorte 
  213. Crumbs- Grasshopper or Black Bottom Cheesecake cupcake
  214. Co Co Sala- Chocolate Onyx 
  215. Snap- Bubble Tea
  216. Boccato Gelato- Carambola (starfruit, kiwi & mint) & Cake Batter flavor- Arlington 
  217. Frozen yo- Self-serve, frozen yogart- red velvet flavor
  218. The Dairy Godmother- Alexandria
  219. Hello Cupcake- Dupont
  220. Hello Cupcake's Blarney Stone Mint Cupcake for St. Patrick's Day!
  221. Yola- Dupont
  222. Sweetgreen- Dupont
  223. Gelateria Dolce Vita- Georgetown
  224. Pleasant Pops- Watermelon Mint, Strawberry Rhubarb or Blueberry Pancake
  225. Parisian Macaron- Provence Lavendar or Chocolate Ecuador- Cacao- Cleveland park
  226. Lavendar Chocolate Bar at The Cocoa Gallery- 14th Street
  227. Sweet Potato Cupcake- LoveBites Food Truck
  228. For a Drink
  229. Tryst
  230. Café du Parc
  231. Le Bar
  232. Potenza
  233. Rooftop bar- JandG
  234. Bourbon- Glover Park
  235. Estadio- frozen alcoholic slushies 
  236. Dickson Wine Bar- U Street
  237. Veritas Wine Bar- Dupont
  238. Bistro du Coin- Dupont
  239. Brickskeller Saloon
  240. Urbana- P Street
  241. Bar DuPont- Dupont Circle
  242. Nanny O'briens
  243. Try DC Brau’s Porter
  244. Cafe Berlin- Capitol Hill
  245. Black Squirrel Pub- Beer
  246. R.F.D. Washington- Beer
  247. Dark and Stormy drink- Islander Caribbean Restaurant
  248. Four Corners Pub- Cleveland Park
  249. Biergarten Haus- Capitol Hill
  250. Mie N Yu- Bar/Lounge area
  251. Brasserie Beck- Belgian Beer
  252. Meridian Pint- Columbia Heights
  253. Adams Mill- Adams Morgan
  254. Breadsoda-Beer & ping pong- Wisconsin Ave.
  255. Policy- 14th Street
  256. Marvin- 14th Street
  257. Bar Pillar- 14th Street
  258. Stoney's- P Street- Beer Joint
  259. Cafe Saint Ex- 14th Street
  260. Sign of the Whale- Dupont
  261. Madhatter- Alice Beer
  262. Churchkey- Cask Ales
  263. For Caffe (or Hot Cocoa!)
  264. Illy café on M and New Hampshire
  265. Caffe Affogato ("drowned coffee"- espresso w/ gelato!) at Pitango
  266. Ebenezers Coffeehouse- Near Penn Station
  267. Bourbon Coffee- Supporting Sustainable, Economic Development in Africa!
  268. Java Green Café- 19th Street
  269. Chinatown Coffee Company- H Street
  270. M.E. Swing Co.- Alexandria
  271. Bread & Chocolate- M Street
  272. Mayorga Coffee- Takoma
  273. Marvelous Market- Eastern Market- Capitol Hill
  274. Quartermaine Coffee Roasters- Bethesda
  275. Peregrine Espresso- Capitol Hill
  276. St. Elmo's Coffee Pub- Alexandria
  277. Saxby's- Ronald Reagan Building- Mint Hot Chocolate
  278. The Cocoa Gallery- - Belgian White with Mint Hot Cocoa
  279. For Some Pampering
  280. Mimosa salon- Manicure
  281. Dhoonya Dance- Bhangra classes
  282. All Fired Up- Paint your own ceramics- Cleveland Park 
  283. Stroga Yoga- Adams Morgan
  284. Drive a Zipcar Mini Cooper
  285. For Happy Hour
  286. L’Enfant Belgian Beer Happy Hour 
  287. Lima outdoor terrace
  288. Zenten Rooftop bar- Donovan House- Canton Ginger Liquor
  289. Art & Soul- SnoCone Happy hour
  290. Vapiano 
  291. Ceiba
  292. Vinoteca
  293. Chocolate & Bubbles Happy hour- Co Co Sala
  294. ONE Lounge- potato pancakes
  295. Medaterra- Watermelon Margarita- Woodley Park
  296. Cafe Japone- Sushi & Sapporo- P Street
  297. Ping Pong- Dim Sum Happy Hour- Chinatown
  298. Commissary- P Street
  299. For the Season
  300. Zoo lights- Free this year at National Zoo!
  301. Candy Cane & White Chocolate Swirl- Yogen Fruz
  302. National Tree at White House
  303. Willard Hotel Tree in lobby & decorations
  304. Holiday Market- Penn Quarter 
  305. Hot Toddy or Mulled Wine at Poste
  306. Ice Skating at the National Art Gallery Sculpture Garden
  307. For Culture
  308. Chinatown
  309. Passport D.C. Days
  310. Italian Festival
  311. Millennium Stage free concerts- Kennedy Center
  312. Strathmore Music Hall
  313. Wolf Trapp
  314. National Theater
  315. Freer Gallery
  316. Phillips Collection
  317. Alliance Francaise Event
  318. Goethe Instituit
  319. Pope John Paul II Cultural Center
  320. National Geographic Museum
  321. Tea at the Mansion on O Street
  322. Corcoran Gallery
  323. Allen Ginsberg's Photography "Beat Memories"- National Gallery
  324. Gallery at the Canadian Embassy
  325. Italian Embassy
  326. Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center
  327. Shakespeare Theater
  328. Hand Dance Club- DC's official dance
  329. Columbia Heights Day- Street Festival
  330. Norman Rockwell Exhibit- American Art Museum
  331. Historical Society of Washington DC
  332. American Red Cross Headquarters Tour
  333. Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Festival- September 26
  334. For Being Outside
  335. Rock Creek Trail
  336. Kayaking on the Potomac
  337. Paddle Boat- Tidal Basin
  338. Eastern Market
  339. Bike along C&O Canal
  340. Tubing on the Potomac
  341. Brookside Gardens- Wheaton
  342. Theodore Roosevelt Island- Trails
  343. Photograph DC's interesting murals
  344. Friday Farmer's Market- Federal Triangle
  345. Chicha Morada at Latin Market- Columbia St.-Adams Morgan
  346. Barrack's Row- Shops & Restaurants- Capitol Hill
  347. Rent a bike from Capital Bike Share
  348. Meridian Hill Park
  349. For getting out of the city
  350. Port City Brewery- Alexandria
  351. Old town Alexandria
  352. Del Rae neighborhood in Alexandria
  353. Oasis Winery
  354. National Harbor
  355. Arlington Cemetery
  356. Monticello
  357. Mount Vernon
  358. Authentic Korean Restuarant in D.C. suburbs
  359. I don’t know what for…
  360. Ollie’s Trolley
  361. O Line at National Zoo- Orangutan’s crossing
  362. See Baby Giant Anteater- National Zoo
  363. Visit Baby lion cubs - National Zoo
  364. Drag Queen Brunch at Perry’s
  365. Hard Rock Cafe- This used to be a tradition for me
  366. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum- In case I don't actually meeet Obama
  367. National Postal Museum
  368. Hyperbolic algebra Coral Reef Exhibit at Natural History Museum
  369. Meridian Pint- Pour your own pint
  370. Rally on the National Mall
  371. Using App to get photo up on the wall Ben's Chili Bowl
  372. Againn- Beer Floats
  373. Cereal Bowl- Cleveland Park-Out of business now!
  374. Funxion- Beet, Alcoholic Drink
  375. Albert Einstein Memorial
  376. Spotting Black Squirrels
  377. Find a D.C. geocache
  378. The Big Chair- world’s largest chair, in Anacostia 
  379. The Big Adirondack Chair
  380. Participate in a D.C. Dance Mob
  381. Buzz Bakery- Homemade Root Beer marshmallows (what are these??)- Alexandria
  382. Eat Wonky Food Truck- Poutine
  383. Solar Crepes Food Truck- White bean hummus crepe
  384. A DuFrein (Guinness with a shot of espresso) at Tryst
  385. Food from a Food truck- a D.C. Craze
  386. For helping round out this list
  387. Union Station 
  388. Ronald Reagan Airport 
  389. Dulles Airport 
  390. Freedom Plaza 
  391. Ronald Reagan Building
  392. The Circulator
  393. D.C. Metro
** All photos created by Karen Mardelli using Picnik!

Comments

  1. have you been to jaleo?? yum...

    such a fun (comprehensive) list! how did you compile this??

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh Jaleo! I meant to add that one- will add it now. Thanks!

    Hmm... just kept a running tab of things I was interested in as I toured the city or read in my D.C. books/magazines! I love picking up brochures too :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great list! two of my favorites that you don't have listed are a DC RollerGirls bout @ the Armory & tubing on the Potomac in Harpers Ferry. Also, if you're going to visit the Big Chair in Anacostia, you might also visit the giant Adirondack chair on the front lawn of the Ellington School in Georgetown

    ReplyDelete
  4. So happy to see Brickskeller on your list!

    And so disappointed NOT to see the Capitals! Hockey! Capitals! YAY!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You really didn't put the Capitals on there??? And what about Nats Park? Plus, there's tons of good minor league baseball. Def could add lots to the sports sections!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great Suggestions! Thanks everyone. Will definitely add tubing, hockey and some minor league baseball to the list.

    @Malnurtured Snay & Colby and Mike- you have a point. I went to a Capitals game a long time ago, too long to even remember how old I was, so I could definitely have a second go at it.

    @M I never thought of Rollergirls, and I have no idea what the giant Adirondack chair is, but why not!

    ReplyDelete
  7. you have quite the ambitious list! ive lived here almost my whole life & havent done all the stuff on your list!! my only addition would be Marrakesh @ 617 new york ave... its a dc institution.. they only added a sign this year- you used to have to just knock on the door... and they have a belly dancer... so theres that! break a leg ... but dont be tooo hard on yourself if you dont get to the WHOLE list!! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great list. Some wonderful ideas on here anyone can use. Should point out that #s 12 and 28 are one in the same. The old Capitol columns are at the Arboretum so you can knock out two with one visit!

    ReplyDelete
  9. @blonderthanyou- Can't resist a place with a belly dancer! Added! Do they have sisha?

    @FoggyDew- good to know! I will leave them as 2 separate items (for the sake of reaching 365), but I'll consider one a bonus item :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a great, fun list! I will definitely refer back to it this winter when I'm looking for things to do. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. @ marseadc: Thanks! And let me know if you find something not on here. I am always open to new suggestions!

    ReplyDelete
  12. For a superb pub-grub meal and a couple cold beers the next time you're in DC you might want to try my favorite haunt: The Tombs, a basement joint (not a pejorative term to me) close-by the Georgetown University campus.

    For a look at the Franciscan Monastery check out my Flickr page; I'll put the monastery album of images where it will be easy to find.

    www.flickr.com/billyp545/

    ReplyDelete

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