A Quick Trip to Maryland

Just before my fairly low-key winter break ended, I went on some small getaways: twice to Philadelphia, and once to Maryland. For some reason, I have a deep love for Maryland. I suppose it is because I have had such a wonderful experience every time I’ve been there.

I took the drive down to an area just South of Baltimore one Friday night to see my friend Marisa. We went out to Buffalo Wild Wings, where I have never actually eaten wings, with her boyfriend and had a relaxed night at their apartment watching a Reese Witherspoon movie.

Saturday took us to a few different places. We had a slow approach to the morning and arrived at a restaurant in Washington, D.C. named Tico’s at noon. Marisa and I enjoyed a tasty and rather expensive meal paired with mimosas. I joked that I was finally a true millennial because I managed to be in an aesthetically pleasing eatery while looking put together and consuming appealing food with a drink in my hand. I think I did brunch the right way…

After brunch, we strolled over to the Newseum, the news museum. For communications nerds like Marisa and myself, this is a magical place. It is a six story maze filled with the history of and best accomplishments in our field.

One of my favorite exhibits in the Newseum showcases an original piece of the Berlin Wall and an original three story East German guard tower that was part of the wall. The exhibit laid out how information transferred from Berlin, to the rest of the world and back, where knowledge was free to come by in West Berlin, but blocked in East Berlin. It was so surreal to see this history in America after seeing it in Berlin two years ago.

Another incredible piece of history showcased is the 9/11 Gallery. There are detailed accounts of the day that forever changed America and shows how the media covered a crisis that literally and figuratively blew up multiple times before the nation’s eyes. A touching tribute to a photojournalist showcased his cameras and some of the pictures he shot that day before he died, and a video about the disaster brought me to tears.

Other notable parts were the FBI exhibit, the news helicopter that hung from the ceiling of the museum and the spacious terrace that hosted a view of the Capitol Building. There was so much information to take in that the three hours we had to spend were not nearly enough.

After we depleted our time at the museum, Marisa and I headed back to her apartment where her boyfriend made delicious pasta with vodka sauce for us and his coworker. We all then went out to a cozy multi-level bar in Washington D.C. where we chatted and relished the night.

Maryland (and D.C.) treated me well once again. On top of that, it was super gratifying catching up with one of the people I hold dearest. Although I was sad to leave, I was excited to go home to watch the Eagles beat the Vikings, putting us in Super Bowl LII!