The DC Diaries #4

DC Time 18:42, Flag Count: 4

I'm currently locked out of the official accommodation that we've been allocated - the mansion on two floors was a temporary solution just too good to be true. I'm very glad to observe though that the wireless network seems to be working fine even from the landing!

Had my first globalisation and its discontents surprise today. I pointlessly looked for the much publicised cafeteria of the Library of Congress this morning up and down floors between the Jefferson and the Madison buildings; then I stopped looking for the cafeteria and opted instead for a more unassuming little sign pointing to a "café shop". This involved a lenghty and slightly unsettling journey through the centre of the earth via a subterranean tunnel connecting the two buildings. I finally emerged into a dingy-looking room with a sad coffee pot that looked like it had been abandoned there to brew for hours, and a few donuts that I'm sure raised the sugar level in my blood just by looking at them. The prospects seemed unappealing so I decided instead to re-emerge to ground level and - ladies and gentlemen - find a Starbucks. Clever clogs me thought: I know exactly what to order, I know how much it will be, let's make the most of globalisation since we have to live with it. How wrong I was: my asking for a single macchiato prompted the barista to shout out "doppio caramel macchiato" and when I point out there was no double nor caramel in what I actually ordered, the four junior baristas and the senior supervisor had a 5 minute consultation which caused a sudden drop in the speed of service and a long line of grumpy Congress interns was suddenly generated. To cut a long story short, I left Starbucks having had to explain what an espresso is, and how to make a macchiato, and holding an interpretation of my description which involved a large cup full of hot steamed milk and a lonely drop of coffee languishing at the bottom of it.

Back in the library I also used the ladies' room for the first time - felt as if on the set of Ghostbusters: each cubicle is divided from the main room where the sinks etc are by a swining saloon door, and partitions that don't reach the ceiling or the floor. I expected the school bully, an axe-murderer or a toilet monster to appear any time. Luckily I didn't see a giant rabbit ordering me to "flood the Library"!
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