Getting there, July 30-Aug. 8

Getting there from here July 30-Aug 9

Ever since we moved to The Dalles in August 2002, as we eat dinner we have watched the Amtrak’s Empire Builder heading east along the Washington shore of the Columbia River. It always stirs in me a desire to jump on and just go! So when we learned that we would be going to Washington, D.C., not just Washington State, we jumped on the train.

On July 30 my brother-in-law John arrived at 11:50 to give us a ride to Portland’s Union Station. As I shrugged my carry-on backpack onto my shoulders, I heard a strange buzzing sound and all of my belongings fell to the floor. Zipper broken! So I scrambled around, resurrecting my old faithful pink pack that’s missing a couple of superfluous straps, and re-packed. Anything not needed for the train ride squeezed into the already groaning suitcases. But after the first night on the train as I started getting dressed, I realized that all my spare underwear was safely stowed in the baggage car. This is why “wash and wear” was invented!

After a fabulous salmon “lunch” with Mary Lyn and John, also joined by Will and Bridget, we arrived at the station in plenty of time. As the first bag hit the scales, the attendant stated flatly, “You’re overweight.” (I know, I’m trying to lose a little!) So we had to redistribute a number of items among the four bags, again, right in the station.

But all went well. The train pulled out of the station precisely on time, 4:45 pm.

The Train Trip on Amtrak´s Empire Builder and Capitol Limited

We had a “roomette”, which means that we had two comfortable facing seats at the window which converted to a bed at night, plus a bunk bed that pulled down from the ceiling. Very comfortable, but not spacious.

The first part, thru the Columbia Gorge, was spectacular. Yes, we live there, but we just never get tired of seeing it, this time from the train on the Washington side. We took pictures of our house and The Dalles as we went by.

Then into the desert, reaching Pasco at dusk. We slept until just before Glacier National Park. We MUST go back there! Called Barb and Mike to tell them what a beautiful state they have (no one was surprised to hear it.) Then on into the plains, Montana, North Dakota, Missouri River, antelope. So interesting to watch the landscape change and unfold in each region.

Being in a sleeping car gives you 3 meals a day in the dining car, so each meal we sat with different people. Many very interesting: two retired teachers, one who had worked in Cameroon for 36 years; a mom and son, who at 13 was bilingual in English and French due to attending the French lycee in Chicago since age 3, total immersion. He related that sometime after his first year of French preschool, he visited a friend’s preschool and was amazed to find that he understood everything that teacher said! A backpacking German youth visiting friends of his father’s in ND; a New York couple who had been vacationing in the West for 3 weeks, all by train.

From Wisconsin on east, the landscape was all green. Amazing amount of rainfall, although it never rained on us during the trip. Changed trains in Chicago but didn’t have time to see the sights. I dashed out of the station for a few minutes and was much impressed by the energy, size, and noise!
Saw parts of the Appalachian trail. Followed river after river, finally the Potomac.

Washington, DC.

What a grand city! The Union Station is a monument itself.
We spent a few days there, saw various sights and monuments. Not too hot, just getting us ready for Piura. Loved the American Indian Museum, Hirshhorn Sculpture garden, The Washington and Lincoln monuments, and just being in the Capital City. Amazing place. Unfortunately, we were unable to effect all the changes in government we might like during our short stay.

The official Orientation sessions lasted 3 days and were very useful, especially talking with my exchange partner. Lots to talk about! Also great activities about cultural differences. It´s important to remember that the people in your new country do not wake up every morning thinking of ways to confuse you!