Of Crab Soup, Star Wars, and "Tourists"

Today was day 2 of the Washington Semester Program, and I am still settling in and adjusting to my new life here. The first couple days have been about filling out forms, inexplicably getting lost on our small campus (even though it only has 4 buildings!), and getting acclimated to living in a dorm room again. Let me recap the first couple days of my travels.

I departed Tuesday from PDX and made the long flight to Baltimore via Denver and Charlotte, North Carolina. After approximately 12 hours of travel, I arrived at the welcoming home of my cousin Chris and his wife Karen. Chris gave me a little tour of their town, Annapolis, Maryland that culminated in an introduction to a local tavern for a quick bite of local cuisine. Chris informed me that I just had to try their Cream of Crab Soup, which was warm and filling after a long day. Chris introduced me to Old Bay Seasoning, which apparently is Maryland's seasoning of choice.

At the bar counter, we struck up a conversation with a man who happened to be a high-powered D.C. lawyer who works with big-name companies in their disputes over patents. He and Chris got into a fascinating discussion about patents--something I had previously given very little thought to. I gathered that the current debate around patents stems from the fact that very few people are inventing new things, and instead are inventing technologies or new applications for technologies, which are harder to justify patenting. For example, a recent case involved Blackberry and its attempt to patent its technology: basically the idea of mobile e-mail that you can carry wherever you go. Some argue that Blackberries are an obvious application of existing technology, not a brand new technology within themselves, so Blackberry should not have the right to patent and claim exclusive ownership over it. A very interesting conversation.

The next day Chris dropped me off on American University's Tenley campus (a separate campus for Washington Semester Students about 3 blocks from AU's main campus). I met one of my roommates (the other is still mysteriously absent) who comes from Naperville, Illinois. He was amazed when I told him that I had not only heard of his hometown, but have been there many times. After getting settled, I spent some time exploring the surroundings. I walked around the Tenleytown neighborhood, and saw that many familiar establishments are in the immediate vicinity: including Starbucks, Chipotle, and Best Buy. Hooray! Also found the Metro (D.C.'s major public transportation) stop right near campus, only a couple blocks away.

Today began with an early morning orientation meeting, and the first meeting of my American Politics Seminar class. My professor is interesting, and a bit off-the-wall; he reminds me a bit of Richard Ellis from Willamette. He came to class complete with pictures of some notable alumni of his class, who have gone on to become very successful in D.C. after experiencing this program. He takes a lot of pride in his former students and the accomplishments that they have made since their time here. The class will be a fascinating overview about how D.C. politics really work. I can't wait to hear some of the guest speakers that he has arranged. We will also be taking trips to some museums here, and in April, he has booked us to watch oral arguments on the Supreme Court! I am very excited for that.

Finally, my professor memorably informed the class today that: "there are two types of people in D.C.: pros and tourists. Tourists are the ones who drive up Nebraska Avenue in heavy traffic, abruptly stop their cars, jump out, and take pictures. You want to be a pro."