Hi all,
I'm an Aussie from Melbourne in a rather privileged position. My wife
is working in Virginia just outside DC on a work assignment, and I will
be there with her from mid January until the end of March, with lots of
free time on my hands while she works - I've just finished my PhD and
don't start my new job until I get home in April. Can't wait to get to
the USA, but I am wondering how I could best use such a long period of
time in your fine capital - especially since the missus is spending
ridiculous (by Australian standards at least) amounts of time at work
during the week (don't you guys do anything else?), hence I'll be on my
own a lot. I've been to DC twice before - once for a weekend in '89
when I was 14 on an exchange program (in the very outer outskirts of
Milwaukee, yes it was quiet and yes there were a lot of cows and
mosquitos) and again in late 2003 on holiday for a few days as part of
a big trip around the world. I've seen the Capitol and Lincoln
memorial, as well as a night in Annapolis, and also the spy museum
(yes, very dodgy I know). I've also seen a small bit of the Natural
History Smithsonian, but I'm sure there's heaps more to see. But I
can't quite work out how I could best use this time. I love history,
and know there's a lot of historical sites in the area, but I must
admit my knowledge of history is more limited to Australia and Europe -
I don't know much about the American revolution or Civil war or any
other parts of your history other than the tidbits I heard in class at
Arrowhead High,WI all those years ago! So I guess any good
introductory book suggestions on American History would also be good.
We'll have a car so anything within driving distance on a weekend from
DC is up for grabs too. Any and all ideas to educate and entertain
this very fortunate Aussie are most welcome. Cheers.
Greg.
PS - I love sport - can't say I'm really big on American football but
is it possible to get tickets to a Redskins game or am I dreaming?
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