Washington D.C. has been nice so far, but I am totally missing my Southern home.

I have not been able to breathe since I arrived here last Wednesday. The sessions have been endless, and learning the Metro has been quite the challenge. I miss my sweet car Regina, but I am loving my internship.

Anyway, D.C. and Tennessee are quite similar, yet very different when it comes to things like: The people aren’t as nice, they both freak when it snows, and the biggest difference is *que creepy music* public transit.

People in D.C. are pretty nice, but there are some who aren’t so nice. It was definitely a culture shock from the Southern hospitality I am used to. When you bump into someone, they just stare, or when you hold the door, you don’t get a, “Thank you.”

I also see why many people here are so mean: There is no sweet tea.

I’m literally having withdrawals. They only seem to carry un-sweet, and you have to add your own sugar, and I’m too lazy for that. Most people here also seem to think Southern accents are just the cutest things. Unknowingly, I have used many of our coined phrases like, “ain’t,” “bless your heart” and my personal favorite, “y’all.” My roommates, who are all from around here or more north, think it is the coolest thing. I don’t think I’ll ever understand.

Since I am working for a company called the Congressional Award, they are able to operate on the federal calendar. I have the pleasure of getting two-hour delays and even days off because of snow and other holidays. Yesterday, I had a delay, and it was glorious. I don’t think I have ever loved having an extra hour of sleep so much. It’s also nice that my co-workers and the other intern that works for the Award are so sweet and relaxed. A fun fact is that my supervisor is actually from East Tennessee. He’s a huge UT Vols fan.

So, when I tell you I am not a fan of the metro, I’m telling the truth. I do not like having to pay to get on and off the subway, and I also don’t like the creepy men who stare at me while I’m on board. Plus, I am directionally impaired. I got lost and ended up at the Washington monument somehow and ate at this great breakfast place called Lincoln’s Waffle House, which was conveniently located across the street from the Ford Theater where Lincoln was shot. So it wasn’t all bad getting lost; I got some grits out of the bargain, so that’s good.

Overall, this experience has been great. Just trying to adjust has been the hardest thing. I miss my friends in Tennessee and the comfort of my car, but I know this is just the beginning. Who knows? Maybe I might actually grow to like the city and move here. That’s a long way off, though.

#CDinDC15

-Celeste

TLC