by David Brown

Created on: April 01, 2009

Washington, D.C. is a great city. It is so different than most cities in the United States of America, that it would benefit anyone who is American to live there even if it is just for a short time. This writer had the pleasure and the privilege, as well as the challenge of studying in Washington, D.C. as well as living and working in this most incredible city in the United States. This is not to say that he does not love his native Miami or his residence of Atlanta, Georgia. In such a small area, Washington, D.C. is full of incredible history since the creation of the United States as well as just a great and fun city. Unfortunately, while this writer lived there, there were some rough times that really caused the nation's capitol to not only make national news, but global news.

Washington, D.C. is a great place for a student of government to study. This writer had the opportunity to attend The American University from 1983 until 1986 after transferring from Kennesaw College (now, Kennesaw State University) located in Marietta, Georgia. While attending American as a student of government and international affairs, this writer really received a major treat for over three years. He had the opportunity to attend real Congressional Hearings while they were in session, visit the Oval Office, the room where the man who leads the entire free world works from, visit many memorials as well as museums and meet lots of different people from all walks of life.

Along with great schools, great sights to visit, there are also great places to eat and drink. There is Georgetown which has great restaurants and bars as well as great shopping. Then to the north, there is some more great shopping at a place called Mazza Gallerie. But beware, prices are a bit higher for most items than they are elsewhere in the country. This also goes for housing. Because of the incredible convenience of shopping and the location of apartment complexes to the Metro Public Transportation System.

Speaking of the Metro system, this is one that has to receive a WOW! from this writer. Thinking of other public transportation systems, it should be necessary to some degree for other metropolitan cities to take a look at the Metro and somehow come to the conclusion that the should model theirs after Washington, D.C.'s. It is convenient to most, if not all areas of Washington, D.C. as well as to outlying areas in Virginia and Maryland. This makes it easy for people to travel daily throughout the city. This writer once worked with someone who traveled everyday into the nation's capitol from West Virginia and loved doing this because of the ease of public transportation. Please, do not get me wrong, though. The Washington Metro system does not stretch as far as West Virginia, but after transferring from Amtrak to the Metro as beautiful Union Station, it makes for a nice daily trip from outside the District.

What is interesting about Washington, D.C., and this writer is not sure if the rule still stands, is that no building can be built higher than the Washington Monument. This makes for an even more beautiful and historical city.

Granted, there have been many books and photo books printed regarding Washington, D.C., but remember, it is a truly international city and there is a great deal to learn, to see and places to admire day after day.

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