This is the first day of my latest - and almost certainly last - solo US trip. I got up at 5:45 and left the flat at 6:45. The traffic on the M25 was horrendous, and I only got to Terminal 3 at 8:30. The taxi driver was extremely garrulous, telling me all about his plans for various business ventures. I shall look out for flyers for "The Amazing Curry Company" next year - be interesting to see if it materialises.
After going through Security I had Eggs Benedict for breakast and stocked up with reading matter and food for the plane. The flight itself was quite turbulent in the 2nd half, but I was absorbed in Margaret Drabble's "The Realms Of Gold" which I finished. Had a very nice Chilli - unusually edible for Virgin food - and also read The Times. I heard two great albums on my MP3 player. The first was "Argus" by Wishbone Ash, which I hadn't played for ages and really enjoyed. The twin-guitar work is always arresting, the songs have some very original riffs and structures, and I noticed more of the lyrics. Then I moved on to "The Notorious Byrd Brothers" which is, of course, an all-time classic. It features McGuinn's sonic experimentation at its absolute peak, and there are no remotely weak moments on the album.
We landed at 15:00 but I didn't get to the hotel until just before 18:00. When we got off the plane we had to wait to be transported to the Immigration area and then the queues were horrendous. I didn't get out of the airport until 16:45, and then there was a lot of traffic driving into Georgetown. The taxi fare was a bit of a shock - $75 ! But then I quickly got into my room and then nipped out for some supplies before writing this at 19:20 US time. Since for me it is 00:20 the next morning, I will be having an early night.
Tomorrow the plan is to go down to the Capitol and Washington Mall. There's loads of awesome history to soak up there.
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