By Vlad Solomon
Summer 2013
Since coming to Washington, D.C., I’ve made it a priority to branch out and attend all of the wonderful sites and events that make this city so unique and incredible. To supplement my own adventures, the program has built-in mini field trips each Friday ranging from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to a duck tour on the Potomac River. But perhaps my favorite trip thus far has been mini-golfing at the National Building Museum with everyone from the Debonair (the snazzy dorm we live in).
After brunch at a local restaurant, we all hopped on the metro and rode down to the Judiciary Square stop (conveniently located right next to the entrance of the museum). Immediately when you walk in, you’re overwhelmed by the immense size of the lobby, with staggering columns and massive windowpanes that shoot down beams of light in all directions. Once I finally snapped back into reality, we walked over to the mini-golf course on the first floor. We split up into two teams and proceeded to the blue course (the one not swarming with little children).
Now, I’ve been mini-golfing several times throughout my life but I’ve never seen a set-up quite like the one at this museum. The funky and unique architecture of each course was the perfect recipe for a good (and slightly frustrating…) time. Designs ranged from a giant, uneven tree trunk base to a massive seven-foot neon cylinder with the hole on top. After some heart wrenching missed puts, I finished 3 points under par and the winner of my group.
Afterwards, we all walked down the street and got some tasty gelato (many thanks to the program director, Walter Montano). It was the perfect compliment to a hot D.C. summer day. Once we parted ways with Walter, we all walked down to Chinatown and got lunch at a local restaurant.
For me, mini-golfing at the National Building Museum was the best because it was one of the few interactive excursions we’ve had so far. It was a great opportunity to make fools of ourselves and laugh at each other’s crazy hole-in-one shots. I think it really brought everyone in the program even closer together. It was nice to trek off the usual tourist path and experience some cool, local entertainment. It’s amazing how much this city has to offer. You never really know where you’ll find your next escape. And that’s one of the best parts of living in D.C. hands down.
Pat and I show off our mini-golfing style
Vlad is a rising senior majoring in political science. He is interning for the Office of Congressman Rush Holt.
