stay safe

There are, in reality, two cities here: Washington (the nations Capitol) and the DC (a city where 500,000 people live and work, most of them *not* for the federal government).

Washington has monuments and museums and tours and fine restaurants and memorial parks. It is fairly compact. 6 blocks on either side of the National Mall (the grassy area). Throw in Georgetown for shopping and dining.

DC (the District of Columbia) is everything else. Neighborhoods from the swanky to the down-and-out-y. Good restaurants and bars, but not world-class. Bike trails. Coffee shops. Bookstores. Lots of local businesses.

People who have lived here for generations or decided to make it home at some time in their lives. About even ratios of Caucasians to African Americans with Hispanics making major inroads, population-wise.

Racial tension and racial harmony, depending on the people and the neighborhood. Local crime. A lack of celebrities. A middle-class that has the same relationship to the federal government (it's where we send our taxes) as everyone else in the country.

Two cities, overlaid. Two different experiences. Both cool in their own ways. If you want to see "Washington", focus on the Mall. If you want to see DC, step out from downtown (and northwest) and explore the neighborhoods. You'll understand both cities better for it.

if you are traveling in the dc area only have cards on you no cash you have a high chance of being robbed if you have cash people will ask you for money off the street tell them you only have cards andwalk away carry all of your stuff in front pockets not back ones