Alright, the basics first:

Organizer: Residence Hall Association
Date: April 8-10
Occasion: National Cherry Blossom Festival
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriotts, Tyson’s Corner.
Price: $49.

We were given so much free time, since all they had to do was drive us to Constitution Ave to watch the 10am parade and we were left to our own devices after that.

Firstly, this trip taught me that I should probably pick my traveling companions wisely. I’ll talk about that later.
Secondly, I got to see most of the places I wanted to see, take pretty pictures, and go shopping! 3-in-1 combo that’s difficult to top. hee.

So yes, I went up the Washington Monument, got up close to Abraham Lincoln’s statue at the Lincoln Memorial, and checked out the Jefferson Memorial. I didn’t get to go inside the White House’s compound, since that would mean I have to take up a lot of time just to queue up. Wish I had the luxury of time. Anyway, I went to the Smithsonian Institute, the castle. I’ve seen castles before, thanks to my UK trips, and sadly, this fell short of my expectations. Kinda makes you wonder just how Americans define a castle, actually. It’s a red building, with towers, but doesn’t even evoke any familiarity one would have with a typical castle. But let’s just humor them, shall we? So, I thought the Smithsonian Museum would be just like the British Museum. Turns out that it also fell short of my expectations. They had museums, and none manage to provoke any ounce of interest from me. I guess the British Museum spoiled all other museums for me. I went to the International Spy Museum, which costs $18 just for entry, and you can’t take pictures. So, didn’t go in, but went to the gift shop instead. Love the t-shirts there. Bought a few things. Also stumbled on the Sakura Matsuri, the Cherry Blossom Festival. It was fun, but the things sold there are generally expensive. Still, I managed to get a few pictures with some cosplayers, most of whom are African Americans, funnily enough. All in all, I did a speed-tour of Washington DC downtown, but savored it all the same. =)

Pictures? Yes, coming right up.

Now, I shall talk more about traveling companions. This was such a nightmare. >.< A slow, agonizing death.

I made sure to take note of places where my companion wanted to go and do, and I informed her of the things I would dearly love to do, and see. Of course, being the polite and generous person that I am, I made it a point that we did and saw all the things she wanted first, and then get on with my program. Ah, and here we see the obstinate jaw jut out. Such unbecoming behavior. She started whining about how her feet hurt, and how we wouldn’t have ample time to do all the things, and why we should go back to rest. At first, I agreed, yes, perhaps we should stop somewhere and rest and then pick up where we left off. I thought that would at least appease her or something. Oh, no, no. Such a trivial accommodation to her needs are too minute, not enough to compensate her for her pain. In fact, we were at the festival, and I assisted her wholeheartedly in finding the shop and item that she wanted, and as soon as she got what she wanted, she was ready to leave. At this, I thought to myself, there, there now… she’s just tired. it’s just the fatigue talking. So I told her that we would wander around to a few more stalls, and then we’ll go. I did just that, kept to my word to the “few” (2-3 stalls) and then we set off.

That night, I asked her if she wanted to come along with me to the mall. We would get a shuttle to go there. She agreed. I thought with at least 1 hour to recuperate, she would be some sort of more agreeable than before. She was, until she decided that she was sleepy, after walking for only 15 minutes after dinner. Yes, I too, was exhausted, but I trudged on, without a single complaint too. She simply could not keep her opinions of how exhausted she was to herself. I could deal with perhaps 1-2 repetitions of such proclamations, but really, do you really need to say more than 5 times every 5 minutes? Pull a face each time I pop into a shop? I did ask you to come if you wanted to, but perhaps you should have given more thought as to how exhausted you were and not come along if you were so tired. Then perhaps, you wouldn’t need to bother me incessantly with your wellbeing. I have limits too.

Nevertheless, again, I accommodated to her whims and exhaustion and agreed to go back earlier. The next day, I told her, I’d like to visit a few places, but we would visit the places she wanted to see first. Ah, she repeated her behavior from the day before. I was nearing the end of my sanity, so to speak, and also my limited patience. My friends would vouch for me and tell you that they have hardly ever seen me blown my top off, and all they’ve seen would be controlled anger. So controlled that at first glance, I really do look like I’m enjoying myself instead of seething with venomous anger. I snapped at her, a few times, in several scenarios. Let me enlighten you.

Scenario #1: A foreign tourist came up to us, and spoke in broken English (he’s from China), and asked me about certain things about the Washington Monument. When he went away, she commented that “[she] get[s] annoyed when they don’t bother to learn the language first before coming here.” Oh dear me. How ignorant can you be? “I’m also talking about illegal immigrants.” I pointed out to her, in the hopes of enlightening her with the ways of the world that she obviously is not acquainted with as of yet, that those illegal immigrants are here because they are desperate, in need of job opportunities, and that tells us that they lack the privilege of proper education, and hence, unable to learn the language of the country that they intend to sneak into. She shut up.

Scenario #2: After coming down from Washington Monument from which I managed to take a few shots of the White House, she asked me if I was still keen on going to the White House itself. I said I was. She replied by saying, “But you’ve already seen it from the Monument!” I refrained myself – trust me, I have greater control over my tongue these days – from pointing out to her that seeing it from afar is not the same as going there and relishing the sight up close for yourself, much like her obsession with the Washington Monument (she could never stop talking about it, and would each time point out to it while we are walking, and kept on saying how much she’d like to go up there soon). Alas, I was too kind. I merely said, “But I still want to go there. You can stay here if you want.” She refused, and followed me instead.

Scenario #3: I told her earlier in the day that we should try to go back by 2pm, i.e. finish touring downtown DC. She expressed her doubts that we could make it on time. I told her we could try. My last place to visit was the International Spy Museum, and by 1.30pm, we were still waiting for the train. By 1.50pm, we had just arrived at the last station before setting out to find said museum. Now, throughout that time, she would not stop talking about how we could not possibly make it by 2pm. Yes, thank you, I am very much aware of the time constraint and the sheer improbability of making it on time. Really, repeating yourself at least twice every five minutes isn’t getting you anywhere. Besides, we were already on-board the train, what else can you do? I did offer for her to stay somewhere – perhaps the National Archives – and I would fetch her on the way back. An offer she refused, on the count that she was afraid that we would get lost. Pardon me for asking, but how on earth can you get lost if you stay put in one place and just wait there? Nevertheless, I refrained from asking such a question, knowing that it would do nothing but sully my good, diplomatic reputation. Finally, just as we were walking towards the museum, she voiced out her doubts again, and I finally snapped and said, “I know.” Do understand, dear reader, that the italics emphasize the word, and I actually did use the same tone when telling her that. So she shut up.

I pointedly told her that she should feel free to head off to the hotel whilst I make use of my remaining time at the mall and come back by 4. She refused, saying that she would not know what to do with her time (we were to depart at 5pm), and decided to tag along. *inward groan and gnashing of teeth* I duly informed her that there will be lots of walking, and she should feel free also to take rest at her own liberty, and that I would not be impeded by her incessant whining. Of course, that last part was hinted at, and never explicitly said.

Besides that, she has shown unattractive tendencies to invade my privacy and claim my company as her own. On several occasions when I received text messages and replied, I noticed and caught her looking at my screen, trying to read what was being typed. She even had the audacity to meet my pointed stare with a defiant one of her own, as though my attentions should only be tailored to her, and her alone. I did not say a word at this, but merely quirked an eyebrow to show how unamused I was at her unflattering behavior. Perhaps because I did not voice out my discomfort or displeasure at this behavior, she continued to do so at various points of our travels, unabashed. Even when I emphatically turned my body away and shield the screen away from her prying eyes, she still strove to see what was being written. I ignored her completely after that, not caring at all if she said anything at all.

I’m sorry for sounding so sarcastic, and entirely too proper in my sarcasm. sigh. In a nutshell, this is what she did to annoy me:

• Being selfish – after completing her tasks, etc, she wanted to go back to the hotel.
• Whining – once is enough, maybe twice and I shall still be friendly… but ALL THE FREAKING TIME?
• Scowling when things don’t go her way
• Being ignorant and speaking like an idiot savant – watch your words before you speak la. Mau kena sepak ka?
• Invading my privacy – i caught her looking at the screen of my phone while I typed messages or checked in on foursquare.

I hope to Heaven and All Things Good that I wouldn’t have this sort of traveling companion ever. Completely immature, ignorant, and inconsiderate. =.= Lesson learned: Lay down the ground rules before agreeing to an offer of a traveling companion. Do not accept just because you pity them (I’m an independent traveler, so I don’t mind traveling alone – I do bring my pepper spray and whatnot.)

Here are things I expect:

• Flexibility – plans can and will change. Of course, I will try to accommodate your wants and needs and whims, and I expect the same in return.
• Endurance & Patience – our feet will hurt from walking, yes, so don’t start whining. If you need rest, speak up, and we can arrange that. If someone needs rest, don’t pull a face. If you are so adamant of going through with your plan, offer an alternative.
• Good conversation – I’m not interested in what you’re doing to your feet in order to relieve your pain. ’nuff said.
• Consideration – be kind to one another. =.=
• Manners – especially when asking for help. Lack of manners speak volumes about your character. It shows that you don’t take other people’s feelings or circumstances into consideration.
• Frankness – if you’ve got something that bothers you, speak up! Don’t beat around the bush or formulate a mathematical solution or compose an epic poem. Just say it as it is. =.=

Gah. I look forward to seeing DC again, with different company next time.