My last week as a DC intern was one of my best. I knew my way around the Senate buildings, the metro terminals, the subterranean passages connecting the various parts of the Capitol complex, and that most important DC introduction detailing my mission for being in the city, my original affiliation—since most people in Dc are not truly from Dc—and my next free moment to catch a coffee. I adored getting coffee with people. Aside from the interns in my office, I sat down with a Yale alumnus from my very own residential college and a journalist who has a vacation home in Croatia. I myself would like to go to Croatia to see the annual sword dance which the boys and men of Korcula perform in July, a tradition that stretches back to the Crusades. However, this may have to wait. I have to go to law school first, and thanks to Stacy, I met a number of blind lawyers and or law students with similar aims. Each had good advice for navigating the law admission and testing process. (shivers) Junior year will be interesting no doubt.
That said, I am going to miss some things. Frozen yogurt and mint chocolate are near the top of the list. It is not the question of their being items of food but that I consumed them with intelligent, creative people who knew how to talk well. I am going to miss the good conversations. Additionally, I know at the start of the summer I disliked giving tours of the Capitol. Now … It is rather nice. I have a chance to walk around, take a short sojourn away from the office, and discourse about American Neo-Classical art and architecture. My favorite tourists were the small families, parties of four or five individuals, who made plans to come all the way from Kansas and spend a week of their summer in our nation’s capital; and it was up to me to ensure they had a great experience learning about the legislative branch. Two families in particular stand out since they openly marveled at the different rooms and the history made in them a century ago. Plus they had several questions. I love it when people have questions. That means they are paying attention!
I believe I shall miss the metro where I met just about everyone: a friendly Australian tourist, a restaurant owner, a gang of French guys, who were out clubbing most likely, and so many other walks of life. It is like New York, though a little bit slower … or, hmmm … hard to say. Each city is different but similar in certain respects, no doubt since each is quite old. One day, I may return here. For now, I must away to New Haven.
--Nikki Singh
