Post by Will
March 26, 2010 at 1:15 pm
For our friends in D.C., if you happen to know, hear, or see any 1BR / 1BA, English Basements, Efficiencies, etc. available, we would be most grateful if you passed on the good word.
Or, if you happen to have any suggestions or recommendations other than Craigslist to look for places and properties then please, pass it on or comment away (we also periodically look at Realtor sites). Daily hunts have become a general interest to both of us. I think it may be fair to say it has created a border-line obsession in one of us (although she is doing a bang-up job and I really appreciate her persistence).
We’re focusing our search on the Petworth neighborhood but are open to Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, Shaw, and Capitol Hill. As long as it’s within a reasonable distance to a Metro (preferably Green/Yellow/Red lines) then I think we’d consider it (speaking for myself here, really, I would consider just about anywhere in D.C.).
I recall when we initially moved up here, we shied away from Craigslist since we did not really have the ability to actually view the properties. We burned a lot of our last moments in Athens calling properties and perusing official apartment websites, not exactly the ideal way to find the most accurate prices. It was almost a happy accident that we ended up at Mount Vernon Plaza, not to mention, it was for all the best as we really got to experience a vibrant city life as we were in a very ideal location (and walking/biking distance) to just about everything D.C. has to offer.
So, as most of you know by now, we’re aiming to get back in the game, so if you could give us a hand if you are able, it would definitely be appreciated.
Post by brittanydyan
March 24, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Less than two months until we embark on a 15 hour flight to Johannesburg to board another shorter flight to Zambia. We started talking about this trip about a year ago, when David’s travel plans took shape, and now, it’s nearly upon us. I have found that such trips take a good bit of preparation. Will has blogged about our adventures in necessary shots and vaccinations. And, now I’ll add my two cents.
Some of you may be wondering about my well-known fear of flying and the impact it has had on my trip preparation. Well, I’m hoping to take some drugs and sleep through a majority of the flight. Really, I do get anxious on flights, but I’ve almost never not taken a flight because I was scared (did that make sense?). I did take the train once (awful idea) to Atlanta, but other than that, I realize that if I want to go places far away, I have to fly. That being said, I am still scared of the long flight, but I will get through it no matter how hard I have to squeeze Will’s hand during turbulence.
Now here’s my Zambia preparation confession: We sent our visa applications to the Zambian Embassy in DC, and I forgot to sign my passport! I got a new passport when we got married (with my new name), and I haven’t used it yet, and I guess I just never signed it. Eek! Thankfully, the embassy sent it back to me, and I have plenty of time to resubmit. This is just the kind of paperwork mistake that I am use to making, which makes me dread paper work all the more. Imagine if we’d applied for multiple entry visas (as the parent Bramletts are doing and as we had originally planned to do), which requires you to send your application materials to the Zambian government in Zambia. Wouldn’t I feel like a turd getting my application back after weeks of mail travel only to realize this mistake and no visa to show for it?! Thank God for manageable mistakes.
Despite all of this, I am really excited to spend time with David, see what he’s been up to for the past months, and enjoy some wildlife and scenery.
Post by Will
March 15, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Maine: The Way Life Should Be … Or so we’re told.
Portland is an eclectic mix of blue-collar grit, local dives, and high-end dining. I think we were both taken aback at how much we enjoyed our short time in the city. Our only complaint was the fact it rained all the way from Baltimore until today, when we passed through Newark on our way home.
We didn’t get the chance to wander around (I was hoping to take lots and lots of photos) like we wanted but we did enjoy some good food, a new scene, and the time together. Speaking of the food, this weekend, we gobbled down frites fried in duck fat, B.G.T. (Bacon, Goat Cheese, Tomato) paninis, kielbasa and kraut, sweet potato fries, local microbrews, flank steak, and some freshly baked scones and croissants. If you are looking to please your taste buds, Portland seems to have it all and do it well.
We did manage to get out to Cape Elizabeth to take in the Portland Headlight where I risked life and limb, sprinting across the plateau of a bluff to take a few photos of the churning ocean and lighthouse (I didn’t get much since the rain kept pelting my lens with pellets of speeding water). We also took a short jaunt up to the L.L. Bean flagship store up in Freeport (Meh…).
All this being said, we realize there is some untapped potential in Portland which we didn’t get the chance to explore. I think it’s somewhat likely a return visit is in the cards sometime in the near future.
Crossing over the G.W. Bridge into the Bronx.
Northern Lights? Not so much. Just the parking lot outside the room.
Enjoying the local scene downtown at Bard Coffee.
Seat with a view at Bard.
Cape Elizabeth in South Portland.
The Portland Head Light.
We didn't cross over ... But we were close enough to give Tim Horton's a go.
