Week 6

This week was full of grocery shopping! Julia and Alex (two of my roommates) enjoy cooking just as much as I do, so it seems like we are always at the grocery store. Well, we heard about this place called Eastern Market, which is a large farmer’s market/arts and crafts fair. We had gone once the previous week, but it was during the last day of the market and in the last 20 min of operation hours, so there really was not much left. So this Saturday we were determined to get there early in the morning.

When we arrived, the market was alive! It seems as though we hit the jackpot of fresh fruit, vegetables, and homemade breads, pastas and pastries. There were several people around, but you could tell who the locals were. They were the ones at the produce tables bargaining and buying veggies at a low cost. All the local producers were there selling their fresh, organic food, and at a lower cost than the grocery stores. I got some fresh green beans, red potatoes, cherries, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, a French baguette, and several fresh pastries. I was very excited about my finds! When we came home, I boiled my red potatoes and they were the best potatoes I have ever had! We have all made a vow to each other that we will go to the market once a week.

Locals shopping at their favorite produce provider

Saturday night Julia and I went to Rockville to watch a “movie in the park.” Well, it is not really set in a park, it is in the town center and it is beautiful! There are many shops and restaurants around, and the trees are lit up with Christmas lights. There are a few grassy spots so families bring their blankets and chairs for the kids. For those of us who do not have chairs, there are chairs already set up in the front, but you have to get there early in order to secure a spot.

Movie in the middle of the square

The restaurants around also have outdoor patios that are very pleasant if you want to pay and eat while you watch the movie, but I am guessing you have to get there like 3 hours in advance. We brought our own food, so we were content sitting on the chairs. Julia went into one of the local ice-cream shops in the square and she said it was the best ice-cream she has ever had.

Evan Almighty was the feature movie. I had already seen it, but it was fun to see it again. Especially since I did not recall that it was filmed in Washington, D.C.! It was really fun to see all the monuments and places that I have been on film. They even showed the street that I work on in a few clips! It was a blast to see a funny movie--it helped wind the day down.

Sunday was really a day of rest. I worked out a bit (in our really nice gym), and lounged around by the pool. There were many assignments due for class and TWC that needed to be attended to, so I just worked on that most of the day.

There are more sightseeing plans for next weekend, I can not wait!