Slowing down

I just spent another Memorial Day weekend in DC. As in year’s past, it was good to get away from home, to see an old friend (Malette), to hear the roar of Rolling Thunder (above) and to eat in different restaurants. Also took in the Newseum for the first time, which I enjoyed a lot but felt overwhelmed by.

While remembering the things we did, it’s illuminating to reflect on the things we did NOT do. Saturday we had a late lunch and went back to the hotel; we were there by five I think. And that’s where were were til the next morning. No dinner – we were too full; no live music – we were too tired; no clubbing – we are too old.

Sunday we had breakfast and then returned to the room for a few hours of reading and relaxing. After Washington Opera’s Werther we went to Estadio, a Tapas place we found last year. Had another great meal and walked to the hotel. We got there by 7pm and that’s where we stayed til the morning.

We had talked about going out for ice cream; we even found a shop that was open til midnight and only half a mile away. But it didn’t happen. The energy required to get up, get dressed again and walk that half-mile – we just didn’t have it.

I remember previous trips to DC (or elsewhere) on which friends would have to beg -- or threaten mutiny -- to get me to slow down. One friend described a vacation with Walter as a “forced march.” Clearly those days are over. At least until I get a one of these motorized scooters: