So, here we are back in northern Virginia, where we lived in the early noughties.
 
Actually, as our friend Leanne (from the Australians in Washington group) observed, we were here at quite a lively time .

The impeachment of Bill Clinton, the fraught election of George Bush, 9/11 and the Pentagon attack just a mile from where I was working, the run-up to the invasion of Iraq -- and the Washington sniper. 

I'd almost forgotten about that last one.

In those three years I reinvented myself and had a couple of exciting years in educational publishing. My mother died. Richard suffered from the tech crash. 

But we joined Australians in Washington and the Earth Sangha so had a good social life and some very rewarding times working in local parklands.

Mixed memories indeed.  

A couple of observations so far --

Firstly, the traffic is much worse with ever more traffic and some very agressive driving .

Secondly, everywhere we go we're asked the same question. What do people overseas think of Trump as a potential president?

And the answer, for those who are wondering, is -- they think the US has gone collectively insane. Absolutely bonkers!

But back to less emotional topics.
 
Old Town, Alexandria is still just the same with hordes of happy tourists, lovingly cared-for houses, and a lively family buzz.

The District has some great new buildings. One that particularly impressed was the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.

It isn't open yet but if the interior is anything as fabulous as the exterior, it should be a DC highlight.

The architect, British/Tanzanian David Adjaye, is an amazing talent .

We first saw it by night when Leanne drove us by, all lit up in delicate silvery tracery.

But by day it's a kind of coppery brown, tiered affair. Stunning.

Although we didn't have long here in DC we were lucky to meet up with Leanne at Jaleo's tapas bar, an old favourite. So we got to reconnect with one of the old group from Australians in Washington.

And more cousins! This time from Richard's father's side. 

And our dear friends from the Earth Sangha, Gail and Bob Weigl, who treated us to a delicious breakfast of figs, berries and home-made lemon and poppyseed cake at their home among the trees in Alexandria.

Finally -- a walk across the Roslyn Bridge to Georgetown, a tasty curry at Mai Thai's, a metro ride back to our hotel in Crystal City, and our DC revisit was at an end-- memorable as always.