Washington D.C. Revisit

In the 14 years since we moved from the Washington, D.C.-area, I have been back once for a mother-son trip, and John has been once or more for a work trip.  But we had never been back together.   We planned a two-night stay to relive some of the old favorites.   What we discovered was that things looked familiar, but not the same.   We had no trouble getting around and staying well fed and enjoying delicious drinks.  But very little was still in the same spot/same look as when we left.   I'm sure COVID and post-COVID had a role, but also, 14 years is a really long time.

My office.  Except Deloitte isn't in that building anymore.  We moved a few blocks ago a couple years ago.  We did not walk by the new place.  Luckily the metro was just as we remembered and it was easy breezy to get around town.

Our first day was in D.C. where we found a hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant for lunch and explored around the area before a late dinner at Gallery Place/Chinatown.  We went to Zaytinya, which was a favorite back in the day.   The food was still delicious, but the space did not look at all familiar.  The menu and presentation was a typical Jose Andreas restaurant (small plates and foam topper on cocktails) which I see in all of his restaurants but do not remember from Zaytinya.  In fact, I did some internet research to figure out if he wasn't the original owner!  It was inconclusive.     

Day two we had tickets for Smithsonian National Museum of African American History, which was built after we left.  It was spectacular.  We spent about four hours and could have stayed longer but we had afternoon plans.   We walked from our hotel behind the White House out to the museum.   The access along the South Lawn side of the White House is completely different now.  Also along the mall, I think they planted a lot of new trees, because it is much more walking path like versus a big expanse of open grass that you can see completely across.

From the inside of the museum, there are panoramic views of the rest of the mall.  You can see all the way to Arlington Cemetery and the Pentagon from there.

The museum had four levels that we toured.  We started upstairs with the more modern exhibits about food, entertainment, musical and athletic contributions by African Americans.   In the concourse level was the 200+ year history of the slave trade from Africa, as well as how slavery evolved within the history of the United States to rationalize its existence.   The picture below is a horrifying log of a few of the ships:  name of ship, country of origin, date, number of enslaved people boarded/number who survived the journey   The top row percentage is half.   

That evening we went to Old Town Alexandria, where we formerly lived, to check out the old haunts.  Even more than in the District, this felt foreign.  I had expected it to be some familiar and it wasn't at all.  John thinks we didn't frequent those restaurants and shops along King Street as much I was trying to say we did.  Maybe we didn't.   The whole second year I was pregnant and we had cars that took us out Route 1 for shopping and dining.   

We walked from the metro down to the Potomac where there were news crews waiting to film the flooding anticipated from Tropical Storm Ophelia overnight/through the weekend.   We had a really wonderful dinner with a friend from high school and her husband.  Our sons are only six months apart so we had a lot of notes to compare!   I was so glad they made time to see us!    We ended the night with a nightcap at one of the two bars we did remember, and then took an Uber back to the District in the rain.   

Saturday we moved our flight up a few hours to avoid the weather delays.   We had time for brunch in Dupont Circle before picking up our bags and riding the metro to DCA.    We got home with limited delays and were glad to catch up with William and my dad, who was in town as Teen's Chauffer. 

High School

Freshman year finally arrived!  It was a big first week.  On Monday, William got his braces.  Well, Invisalign, which I hope he likes.  But to be honest are a bit of a pain because the kid that needs to eat 5 meals a day can't really snack.   They're actually so hard to see that I don't even notice them.  I hope that means he is still wearing them!  But mostly when I see William is around mealtime, so probably not.  He did do a first round of Invisalign in 5th grade and he did great.  So hopefully this year is a success, too!

First week activities included registration on Wednesday to get ID card, locker practice, etc.    And then Thursday was Froshfest - effectively an all day orientation - which did include his first early bus ride.  Regardless of the school schedule (regular start, late start, early dismissal), the bus always runs at the same time, because it is our local school district's bussing system that runs 4 busses for Benet.   Kids at Benet come from dozens of different school districts, but ours is immediately next to Benet.   Our town has two public school districts - the dividing line which is a street west of us - and the other district does not offer bussing.  So we feel really lucky to have the option.  But it does mean that he has long days because he is the first kid picked up / last kid dropped off since our neighborhood is the cutoff line.

      

Friday was the first day of classes for the full school, so it was uniform day.   Since the first week, William has started storing his tie in his backpack and it gets put on/taken off on the bus or at school.  We know he has to wear it because it's uniform, but we haven't seen it!

It didn't take long for fall to arrive with its super dark mornings.  Lucy and I walk with him to the bus in the morning, because the the walk up and down the street is her morning exercise, and I get back home at the time I would have woken up for work anyway.  Having to use my phone flashlight for the doggy bag is now essential!   

Getting up at 5 a.m for a 6 a.m. bus has definitely been a transition for the three of us. Two pretty quick edits we made were to ditch the sack lunch (no time to make it) and to have ready made breakfast in the fridge (banana bread; sheetpan pancakes, etc) for a quick reheat.   

William has been to a few home football games.  John and I went to the homecoming game, since I was excited for the pomp and pageantry.  I was sorely disappointed!   I forgot how small (and academic focused) his school is.  While there was a dance team and cheer squad, the band was tiny (less than 50 kids) and no flags.   The homecoming court was dressed in beach attire just like the rest of the student section.  And then we got murdered on the field by the opposing team.  So a very strange experience compared to expectations!  

A few more photos from our early morning walks.   It's owl season and one morning we saw two together and heard several more up the street at the same time.   Usually I just assume it's two calling back and forth with one another.

School photos arrived already and I got to do my annual frame update.

Hyderabad and Delhi

This marked my fourth trip to Hyderabad (2007, 2013, 2017 and 2023) and third to Delhi (2013 and 2023).  It's amazing to see how much growth there is in these cities each visit!  It's also fun to visit as the partner and get to host team events and catch up with everyone!

My hotel room at ITC Kohenur in Hyderabad.   Every few years we switch to a new preferred hotel, and this is the current one.  Thanks to this trip, I am solidly into Marriott Gold status this year.   I'm on pace to finish with 32 nights this year with the trips I already have booked.  That's not many for a frequent traveler, but it's a lot for me.  Especially when I consider Disney nights and Deloitte University nights aren't included in my away from home count.

I needed some comfort food when I arrived from Dubai and ordered room service pancakes at 10 p.m.  It was a good choice and $6 well spent!    In the morning I was able to take some photos from a lounge area balcony that was across the hall. 

En route to the office I had to laugh that I saw IKEA.  Especially since I had already text pictures of Dubai IKEA to someone.  That place is everywhere.  But I don't know how people get their IKEA purchases home in India when younger people that I'd expect to shop there have small cars or motorbikes.

When I was in Hyderabad last, they were just starting to build Tower 1 and Tower 2.  Now we have two towers of office space and a third tower that serves as the DU India, our training center.   Below is the front drive of the ITC and the hotel car that drove me to and from the towers each day.   

I often joke that all Deloitte offices everywhere look the same.  That in Hyderabad (or at 30 Rock), the only reason you would know you aren't in Chicago is when you head out for lunch.  Both of those offices can also share the dubious distinction of having claustrophobic and slow elevators.  Team Chicago for elevators!   But otherwise, the offices and cubes are generally the same in all spots!

This is Tower 3 where DU India is housed.  The collaboration space is amazing; the snacks are fantastic; and continuing on with the tradition of DU Westlake (Texas), the Starbucks is free!  Whoot!

A group of PPMDs, senior managers and managers on my team joined me for traditional Northern Indian cuisine dinner at the Westin Hotel.  The name of the restaurant, Kangan, means bangle, and there is a bangle maker who sits in front that you can give your color choices to for a complimentary, custom bangle.   

After four days in the Hyderabad office, I flew to Delhi for Friday meetings and celebrations.   I have a good story about getting to retrieve my checked bag before boarding my Delhi flight and also how the tennis ball that I use for massage drew a lot of attention in the security line.  Let's just say the domestic terminal at the Hyderabad airport was more excitement than I was expecting!

The JW Marriott where I stayed was near the airport so I could conveniently get back for my 4 a.m. Saturday morning flight!   It was very nice, but I didn't even get into bed the second night (Friday).  After my dinner, I just showered and got into my travel clothes and did emails so I could be ready for a 1:30 a.m. car pickup.   

Another late night arrival comfort food order from room service!  I had also ordered some soup in case the pizza was bad.  It was not.  So I ate a lot!   

See?!  offices look the same everywhere!  This is our secondary office space in Delhi (Gurgaon) in the Ambiance Mall neighborhood so that the team would be close by for our dinner at a restaurant attached to the mall.   We also went to the main building at RMZ for an award ceremony for those receiving their CPA and Enrolled Agent certificates.   I was so honored to get to help pass those out and celebrate!

Good-bye India!  Until next time!  For a souvenir I brought home local spices.  Since I didn't have time to shop, one of the managing directors on my team ordered a selection from her grocery delivery and brought them to me on my last afternoon in the office.   William and I have enjoyed using them since I've been back.