Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 312

June 7, 2015

The District in the USA

The District

Across our nation, scores of cities and towns possess touchstones for discovery, but for Washingtonians, our city—the District—is America’s touchstone of bravery all by herself.

Positioned in the center of Interstate 495, along the Potomac River, the modern world’s bedrock for democracy and the American spirit swell from activity and activism.

Wrapped in passion, the city swells of change and motivation, as the sun stretches its arms.

Arriving from every state and territory, voices chant for resolution, participate in duels of ideology and draft compromises of substance for the continuity of the Republic.

Yet such a place as America’s capital city chooses not to limit herself to her constitutional role, but opens her arms to embrace much more.

Mimicking her parents of Paris and London, the great municipality, designed by L’Enfant and arranged by Banneker, welcomes its visitors to the halls of science, art, and history.

From the U.S. Capitol Building to the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian ranges from Botany to Aeronautics, classical and modern art, ethnical and U.S. history along the National Mall for the immoderate admission of free.

By presenting edifices of former presidents, fallen soldiers, and civil rights leaders, she introduces humility to every guest. Whether foreign or local, her majesty leaves the most proud infirm, and yet despite her sirenous reminder of your humanity, she guides you to the path of bravery left by your fathers.

At every corner, reminders of the past announce themselves.

From dozens of inaugurations to ‘I Have A Dream’, she beats the drum of America.

Beginning from the Capitol, the city splits into four quadrants making the shape of a diamond, while creating layers of culture beyond the advertised Federal District.

For it is this part of her that tickles generations of congressional staffers to desire a long career here beyond their boss’s term.

On every street, the District sings her life, celebrating the unique sounds of her sons Sousa, Ellington and Gaye. As her silver screen daughters Goldie and Taraji embrace their character, her comedian sons and daughters Chapelle, Black and Dreyfus found a laugh, all the while, Bill Nye, America’s science guy, discovered his charge.

Housing handfuls of universities and institutions, minds of all human endeavor impact the District and being such the lady, her manners return the favor with a Northern alertness and a Southern charm.

Athwart the city, such impacting, allows food trucks to position themselves along parks, while District staples like Ben’s Chilli Bowl, Horace And Dickies and Banana Cafe welcome Busboys And Poets and Uniontown Bar&Grill as unique District spots for eating, discussion, and social change.

From the folding-chair enclosed tables of dozens of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions to the Resolute Desk at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the District lends herself daily to fulfill the prophecy of the unfinished pyramid atop the barren landscape.

It is impossible not to glare and look around that the motivation for heroism and bravery. More than existing within confines of the diamond city, it is impossible for one not feel its potency in the suburbs and throughout the nation. Though politics tends to regularly introduce himself, our nation encourages focus, causing the District to shine all the more and remind even our most native guest that there is more to be done.

Here is the path that your fathers left behind.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Gratitude Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

The post The District in the USA appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

View more on Lisa Niver's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on June 07, 2015 10:21

June 6, 2015

The Dominican Republic Heart of the Caribbean

This past summer I had an experience that changed my life, I went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic is a small country on the island of Hispaniola. The Dominican Republic has a population of more than ten million people, 41% of the people live below the poverty line. These people face many challenges that Americans could not even imagine. Even their basic needs such as clean water, shelter, and medical care are an everyday struggle for most of the population. Here, in the middle of struggle, is where I found inspiration.

I had always wanted to go on a mission trip. My church does numerous mission trips a year but my parents could never afford to send me on any of them. Last year I decided to raise money to go on a mission trip. My best friend, Hope, and I decided to both have the goal of raising enough money to go on the trip together. We did bake sales, washed cars, look after people’s pets, etc. We raised enough money to go and we decided to go on the Dominican Republic trip because it interests us and we both have been taking Spanish for several years and thought it was a good opportunity to practice speaking Spanish. We signed up, and that summer we finally got to go to the Dominican Republic.

The moment our plane touched the ground in the Dominican Republic I was overjoyed with excitement, this was my first time going out of the United States. Each day we were there we went to a different village. We went to villages all through out and near Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, San Pedro, and other cities. We had four teams with us, VBS team, baseball team, construction team, and the medical team. Hope and I were on the VBS team, Vacation Bible School, our team would walk around the villages and ask families if they would like to bring their children to the church in the village, or wherever we were able to set up, for a day of arts, crafts, stories, games, and face and nail painting. Lots of children came and even though we were only in a village for one day we built special bonds with many of the children. The children always wanted us to give them piggy back rides or braid our hair and pretty much hung on to us the whole time we were there. Throughout the day many of the children and adults went to get treated by the medical team for illnesses that had never before been treated; there were so many people who needed medical attention it was shocking to me because in America healthcare is easily accessible. Life in the Dominican Republic is very different from life in America.

The villages we went to in the Dominican Republic are like little towns, they each have a grocery store, a church, a school, and sometimes even a baseball field or basketball court. However, it is completely different from how you would picture a town in America. The houses are mostly made of sheets of metal or wood and the fences are made of sticks and barbed wire. Most families don’t have running water, electricity, or a car. The grocery store is a tiny little building where they sell drinks, a few snacks, and bags of water. The churches and schools are normally one room buildings with scarce supplies. Seeing this made me realize how grateful I should be for the life I have. Although, even though these people were living far below the poverty line and would give anything to even have cold water they were smiling and welcomed us into their villages with open arms. They expressed to us how grateful they were that we were there with them and would try to give us gifts to show their appreciation. One little boy even tried to buy me a piece of cake with the few coins his father gave him, he still wanted me to have something.

I met so many people while in the Dominican Republic, but when I think back to each one of them I think of one thing, bravery. Everyone I met, from a little girl with cerebral palsy to a women that came out of prostitution and now works in the mission field, these people amazed me in every way. They inspired me to look past my goals of becoming rich so I can lead a comfy life and made me see what is really important, love. Only brave people realize that love is worth more than any material item. Going to the Dominican Republic changed my outlook on life and inspired me to be brave.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Gratitude Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

The post The Dominican Republic Heart of the Caribbean appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

View more on Lisa Niver's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on June 06, 2015 15:30

Kate Spade Saturday ‘The Mini Weekender Satchel’ Bag, Signature Zig Zag

We’re Kate Spade Saturday! As part of the kate spade new york family, we share a love of bright colors, graphic shapes, and bold prints, and believe that getting dressed should be a lot of fun. Putting our own spin on casual, we’re channeling the carefree spirit of the weekend and bringing it to every day of the week with smart silhouettes, honest fabrics, and a sense of spontaneity. Everything we make is an equal dose of style and function, from perfect travel bags to go-anywhere dresses to clever lifestyle goods. And if you’ve come across our line of multifunctional “F.Y.I.” products, you know we’re big fans of versatility, too

Canvas mini travelling satchel.

Cotton Canvas / Leather trim / Poly lining / Metal hardware / Waxed Canvas coating

Two exterior pockets / One multi-functional interior pocket

Adjustable strap. Zip-top closure

Height: 11.75” Width: 7” Depth: 8.63” Strap drop: 19” Handle drop: 7”

The post Kate Spade Saturday ‘The Mini Weekender Satchel’ Bag, Signature Zig Zag appeared first on We Said Go Travel.

View more on Lisa Niver's website »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on June 06, 2015 11:35

Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack-It Specter Cube Set, Tangerine, One Size

Use ultra-light packing folders to fold and compress your nicer collared shirts, dress slacks, and dresses. Relax and enjoy your trip. Everything you need is right where you want it.

Packing cubes are great for t-shirts, pants, gym clothes, undergarments, and socks

Weather-resistant and anti-staining properties

Frequently Bought Together

+

+

+

Price for all:
$2.70

This item: Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack-It Specter Set, Packing Cube
$0.00

Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack-It Specter Starter Set
$0.00

Eagle Creek Travel Gear Pack-It Cube Set
$0.00

Nite Ize GT3-4PK-A1 Gear Tie Reusable 3-Inch Rubber Twist Tie, Assorted Colors
$2.70