A Reflection on The Pre-Iowa Experience: Washington, D.C. #2

In the interest of efficiency and due to time constraints I'll try to wrap up the pre-Iowa experience with this post - and sadly move on from Washington, DC after the next post.

I think, right off the cuff, that one of my favourite things in the District would have to be the Metro System. I loved its efficiency and the manoeuvrability that it provides all at, what I would consider to be, a reasonable price!

I loved taking the "subway," and particularly loved reading the subway maps. I have always been a huge fan of the almost Parisian layout of the District and as a result of my love for maps and a fervent interest in the institutions and monuments that dot the city I was relatively familiar with the city and could find my way very easily - especially with the help of the Metro! We were very close to the Metro Center Station (above) as it was also on 11th and, I believe, F street a few blocks from the Hostel.

Another one of my most interesting and memorable experiences was the visit to the US State Department, and not because we went to the wrong building at first and arrived late, but because of the incredible vibrancy and the great people (such as Dan Whitman) in the bureaucratic and imposing building that is primarily tasked with formulating and implementing US foreign policy. I especially gained new insights in the inner-workings of the Department as we discussed various issues - even South African issues relating to the Constitution - in a very informal manner over lunch in the cafeteria. It was roundabout this time that I was slowly, but surely, being turned into a "DC Boy!"

I especially enjoyed seeing the practical workings of the very theoretical introduction we had to the US system of government in my 2nd year, specifically as it relates to the trias politica, or three branches of government and how they function independently and the various checks and balances that exist. This makes me very excited about the US system of government, as I am a firm believer in accountable and transparent government within a Constitutionally defined liberal democratic framework. Not that South Africa doesn't have these mechanisms, but it is rather a case of the US system having had more or less two centuries to mature and allowed for (along with the unique American colonial experience and the specific milieu) the development of a vibrant democratic political culture.

Due to the security sensitive nature of the State Department building we were not allowed to take photos.

Our next stop was the South African Embassyon Massachusetts Avenue, across the road from the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland The experience at the Embassy was interesting, to say the least. See pictures below.

The South African Embassy


The Reception Hall in the Reception Building.


Left: "Ambassador" Redelinghuys at an "official" press release!
Right: Mathlodi and I


Mathlodi outside the SA Embassy


The British Embassy across the SA Embassy


Sir Winston Churchill and I


The plaque to the statue.

The following memorial was not only beautiful, but inspiring... especially as I considered some of the words (below) of Kahlil Gibran.

“I love you my brother whoever you are whether you worship in your church, kneel in your temple or pray in your mosque. You and I are children of one faith, fingers of the loving hand of one supreme being. A hand extended to all.”

On the evening of the 3rd we had dinner at Union Station (below) which was not only an architectural work of art, but also had a few good stores (including a bookstore!) and was where I reflected upon the generational gap that I perceived between myself (and others like me in my generation) and the high school learners ranging from ages 16 - 18.

It became quite clear to me that a lot has changed in a South Africa and South African society that has become integrated into the world economy as a result of the increased pace of globalisation and the collapse of the Apartheid state. I perceived that we held different things in high esteem, pursued different goals, valued different things and exhibited different attitudes and behaviour which inevitably led to personality and "cultural" clashes. This definitely made me unhappy, angry and disappointed and I believe that I will have to build upon my ability to work with younger people (although we don't even differ by that much!)

I gained further insight into the practical working of the US government in a very informative and informal discussion on the steps of the Supreme Court about the functioning of the court and the congress, and we discussed some contemporary social issues that both our societies are struggling to deal with and have approached in distinct ways.

In summary, I guess my most memorable experience of the day was my visit to the State Department and our conversation and discussions with Dan Whitman and the soon-to-be Consul-General of the US Consulate in Cape Town. Looks can be deceiving... and the façade of bureaucracy may hide an interesting, vibrant and interactive group of people. I think I would like to work for the State Department... perhaps one day. Oh, and I might like to go to Georgetown University... perhaps for my PhD.