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. ;)
How fun! I love DC. Have a wonderful weekend and it looks like you guys might get some sunshine this weekend. ;)
I love Washington, DC! It really is such a great place, especially at this time of year! I hope you saw some pretty cherry blossoms :)
The S.W story is lovely and I love that Grandma at 92 HATES that you are not interested in politics (even though from what I have read we don’t agree ;-) But I LOVE the the 10th picture down, Ben and the lady in the long dress in the isle! That is the coolest pic!
IG, you rock the blogs, can I just say that!!??!!!
Have fun G~~~
Emma makes me miss my Schnauzer!
Hey! I’ve become quite a fan of your blog – I love everything that it stands for! Traveling, eating well, and staying fit. I am from central Iowa and also a HUGE history nerd. I graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Classical Studies and really, really want to work in a museum, so your entry today prompted my curiosity.
So, if you don’t mind I have some questions! What was your major in college and what area of the museum do you work in? I am planning on getting my master’s in Library Science or Museum Studies very soon! And if it’s not too nosy, what museum do you work at? I had a collections management internship at one of the museums at Iowa State and I loved it! Sorry if I am rambling – talking about it just makes me very excited for my future!
Have fun in D.C.!
I just fell asleep reading that little snippet about politics. OK, I didn’t really but that’s how much I care. Can I tell you how much I hate living in Iowa every 4 years!?
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!
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.
how fun! i love dc!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.