June 17th
I landed here last Sunday June the 11th. Purpose of the trip: attending Marina’s graduation and Sofia’s 13thbirthday.
Not sure how, but I managed to reserve a room, dark like a prison cell, in one of the worst hotels I’ve ever been to. I booked the room through a third party, paying in advance, so my attempts to cancel the reservation and move someplace else were futile. The only redeeming quality of the hotel was its location, somewhere in Connecticut Avenue close to the Vanness metro station. No too far from the girl’s house and near a couple of good cafes where I would go to work, and an Italian restaurant I like.
The graduation ceremony was very long and boring. Too many speeches, dull and uninteresting. At some point I had to get up and go for a walk to keep my cool. I can understand having a 5-minute speech by the principal, another by an interesting special guest, and another by a student. But, no, they went overboard and I lost count of how many people shared the stage that afternoon. The best part was the handing of the diplomas. Students were called in alphabetical order and walked to the stage wearing their purple gowns and trenchers. When it was Marina’s turn, close to the end of the line, we — as in Marina’s mother Isabelle, her maternal grandmother and grandfather, her sister Sofia, and I — took pictures, screamed, and applauded.
After the ceremony there was some time to socialize with other parents and students and take more pictures. I took the opportunity to go to the WC and was glad to see upon my return that people had started to disperse and walk to their cars. We drove to George Town where we had a dinner reservation at restaurant by the river. The wine and food were superb. Marina couldn’t enjoy the wine but was having a good time. She was happy, we were all happy for her and very proud.
The next two days we celebrated Sofia’s birthday. Friday 16th, the official day, I picked her up from school and went shopping. The celebration proper was at night. Pizza for all and wine for the adults (mother, grandparents, this time the sister, and myself). She blew candles and we sang the traditional “happy birthday” in English, French, and Spanish. By 10pm I was in bed in my cell.
This morning at around 8:30 I drove back to Isabelle’s place, changed into workout clothes, and went for a run in Rock Creek Park with Sofia. It had been a while since we last run together. Well, what would eventually have to happen, happened that day. She was faster than I and beat me back to the house by good 7 minutes. My ego was a bit bruised but I was proud of her. It all started in the hills that make the last part of the run. I slowed down to keep my heart rate constant, but she continued at the same pace. At some point she stopped to wait for me and I waved my hand signaling she should continue.
Other than the run, the second day of celebrations involved Sofia’s friends. She had invited them for a BBQ. I helped Isabelle clean the chairs in the patio and inflate gismos for the inflatable swimming pool. Then I started the grill and took orders from the family and guests: sausages, hamburger patties, green peppers, corn. I had a double G&T while grilling and a glass of red wine with my hamburger.
I am now at Dullas airport waiting for my flight to Paris. Natalia will join me there for the week.
Sailing to the Pacific 