Greetings from our nation’s capital! :D
Ben and I grew up less than a mile away from each other, but his parents moved to DC last summer. Today, since the first time they moved here almost a year ago, the whole family convened for a 4-day vacay!
Crazy side story – Sigourney Weaver was on our flight from Des Moines to DC! As we were boarding our plane I was all… “Weird. That woman looks a lot like Sigourney Weaver. Clearly it couldn’t be her though. Why the heck would Sigourney Weaver be in Des Moines?!”
As we were waiting for our gate-checked bags in DC, standing directly across from the look-alike on the jet way, I whispered my suspicions to Ben. “I thought so too!!!” he replied.
She was with a guy who we assumed to be her husband (they were PDA’ing…) so I Google searched an image of “Sigourney Weaver’s husband” on my iPhone, and he popped right up. Sigourney Weaver was standing 2 feet away from me – HA!
According to several helpful sources on Twitter and Facebook, she was in Des Moines to speak at a local women’s talk series. So random that she was on my flight. I should have asked her about Ghostbusters… ;)
Anyways, Ben’s Dad picked us up from the airport and took us on a spin around town to see a few monuments and such before lunch. I am SUCH a history nerd – hello, I work at a museum – so I was geeking out!
When my in-laws moved here last summer, a reader told us to check out Easter Market whenever we made it out to visit.
It happened to be right by the restaurant we ate lunch at, so we popped inside to take a look!
Kind of a miniature version of the Ferry Building Market Place in San Fran, this indoor market had everything from fresh flowers, fruit & handmade Italian pasta,
to pigs feet, goat meat & enoooourmous fish!
Loved it!
Our stomachs began to growl, so Ben’s Dad took us across the street to a place he had seen on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Tortilla Cafe!
I took one look at the sign outside the door, and I was sold. PUPUSAS!
The inside is no frills, but what kind of frills do you need when Pupusas are on the menu anyways? And for $1.75 no less! :D
A traditional Pork Papusa was exactly what I ordered. It came out hot and was accompanied by spicy, crunchy cabbage slaw.
YES!!!
The outside was crisp, the inside was tender, and it seriously melted in my mouth. The vinegary heat from the slaw was literally. perfection. Loved it!
The Tortilla Factory’s Tamales were also featured on their Triple D episode, so I had to get one too. Fresh cornmeal wrapped around tender, baked chicken then steamed. Incredible.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. ;)
Well the troops have all rallied and we’re back at Ben’s parent’s place now.
Check out this view! :D
Awww, check out THIS view – Ben’s parent’s pup, Emma. Missed this little gal!
Off to go hang with the fam for the evening. We’ve got a full, 4 days of fun planned and we need our rest!
ps I’ll post the winners of the Sabra Hummus VIP Coupon Giveaway tomorrow!
See ya!
~~~~~
Are you into politics?
Eeeek, no. I have zero interest in politics. My Grandmother – who, at 92, is still VERY informed – hates this. ;)
jennyv 05.19.2011
I’m just enough ‘in to’ politics to have working knowledge w/ the who, what, and whys for my voting preferences. That said, I’m much more interested in our American history (politically and otherwise) than keeping up with the craziness in politics today.
My aunt used to work for a senator and still lives w/in 45 minutes of DC. Having family at/near the nation’s captiol is HUGE! I feel like I’ve seen the DC area w/o being a total tourist!
jen 05.19.2011
Awe, have fun with the fam! Their view looks awesome!
I am actually really into politics. I haven’t always been, but over the last few years, I’ve realized the importance of being informed.
Sarah @ The Pajama Chef 05.19.2011
how fun! i love dc!
Meghan 05.19.2011
Yay my adopted city! I lived by Eastern Market until a recent move. So many recs don’t know where to start and am sure you’re all booked up, but if you are in that area again try Ted’s Bulletin or Matchbox right on 8th St. So good! Enjoy the visit!
Amy 05.19.2011
I think the reader who told you to visit Easter Market meant to go on the weekend, during the week day it’s no big deal. On the weekends, it’s a whole new place, and their breakfast is basically to.die.for. Try to go back during the weekend, it won’t disappoit. How I miss living in DC. It’s an amazing place.
Mary 05.19.2011
The Air and Space Museum is my favorite! I hope you enjoy your visit. I’ve lived in the DC Metro area my whole life and there’s so much to see and do here! Enjoy!
Melanie 05.19.2011
I was so excited to read your post as I moved from Iowa to DC (well, Arlington) a year ago. I was even more excited when I saw that you went to the Eastern Market, and even MORE excited when I saw that you went to the Tortilla Cafe! YUM! I have taken all of my visitors for lunch there – love their pupusas! :) Excited to read your reviews of other things you see/do/eat!
Amy 05.19.2011
Like Melanie, I moved to the DC area about a year and a half ago from DSM and was so excited to see this post! Melanie, I’m glad to “meet” another Iowa girl in the capitol. :)
Enjoy your visit, Kristin! And your in-law’s dog is so darn cute.
Emily 05.20.2011
I was going to ask the same thing! Did you or Ben go to BGSU? I grew up about an hour away from BGSU, and my dad is an alumnus.
Katrina Caldwell 05.19.2011
I just started following your blog after you guest posted on Peanut Butter Fingers, and I just saw BGSU gear on your friends and family – did you graduate from BG? I graduated in 2009, and have been working there ever since – love to see the BG pride. Ay Ziggy Zoomba!
MOM 05.19.2011
GO FALCONS! I went to BGSU & also graduated (in 1975, nursing:)! Best friend still works on campus in athletics!
Jil W 05.20.2011
I had the same question about the BG clothes. I’m from Toledo originally and have noticed it before. I niece is attending BG. GO Falcons!!
Pops 05.20.2011
MOM’s husband (IGE’s Dad) also went to BG and graduated in 1977. Go Falcons!!!!
Katrina Caldwell 05.22.2011
I love all of the BGSU love :)
Kayla 05.19.2011
Check out Jaleo (tapas restaurant) in the Chinatown area! :)
Little Miss Fitness 05.19.2011
I absolutely love DC!! My in-laws own a student travel company, so my husband and I have been tour guides there in the spring with junior high groups. :)
Have a ton of fun!
Amanda 05.19.2011
That story about Sigourny Weaver is funny! I had a similar experience, where I saw Steve Buscemi (he is in lots of Adam Sandler movies) on my flight from Calgary (Canada) to New York. I totally recognized him but my boyfriend didn’t believe me. He was with a woman, so I googled “Steve Buscemi’s wife” and it showed a picture of them together. Bingo!
jenny 05.19.2011
Oooooh…..you must go to 2amys for lunch or dinner!!!
It is some of the best pizza in the world…seriously better than some i’ve had in rome, nyc, new haven, etc.
goooooooooooo :)
Shannon 05.19.2011
Omigosh… in the picture for the Tortilla place I saw a sign for “Aqua Al 2”. I had NO idea there was one in D.C. The original is in Florence, where I studied abroad, and the sister in San Diego. They have the MOST AMAZING blueberry steak and pasta samplers. So jealous… and stoked there is one this far east (even if I am in Boston)!
jad18 05.19.2011
I think it is important to be informed about political issues, especially for voting but I do not like talking about politics b/c people get so angry/mean in political discussions. Seriously how do you guys have the time/money to travel so often?
AJ 05.20.2011
I have that question too! It is great you get to travel so often. I am jealous!
Jen @ One Butt Kitchen 05.19.2011
That puppy LOOKS like a girl! :) Have tons of fun and enjoy the museums!
Steph@321delish 05.19.2011
You’re in 321 territory!! :-) I love Eastern Market! Have fun with the fam:-)
Karlee 05.19.2011
I think everyone should inform themselves about “politics” at least somewhat, but I don’t think it needs to be a big dramatic thing.
Mac 05.19.2011
I’m not huge into politics, there’s too many people trying to tell you 1 million different things and the majority of them are lie… my political source is primarily my boyfriend. Enjoy DC!
Sarah 05.19.2011
I LOVE pupusas—totally yummy! I really recommend the Museum of American History….enjoy DC.
Melissa 05.19.2011
Can’t go wrong with a DDD recommendation! I love history, and I’m always trying to teach a little about history whenever I teach a novel to my class. I love showing them pictures from the historical context of the story. I’m a super-nerd–hello history-loving English teacher!