Falling in Love

Last Wednesday a funny thing happened.

I stepped out of Longworth House Office Building and proceeded down the steps to the nearest crosswalk, directly across from the Capitol Building.
The sun was casting shadows across the back of the Capitol amidst a bustle of "staffers" and "members" all on their way home.
(Contrary to how this first sounded to me, neither of these terms have any reference to Country Club membership or employment, but rather to that of the U.S. Congress.)

But on this particular day there was an extra bounce in my step largely due to the familiarity of my walk home.
Elements of the work place have grown slightly more comfortable.
Even the Security guards had greeted me with in the late afternoon with a "welcome back" as opposed to simply a nod or smile.
And yet the air of familiarity has dulled none of the luster of living here.
Quite the opposite, in fact.

As I stole a glance of the capitol before crossing the street, the reality of my present "home" caught my breath.
Could it be?
In such a short period of time?
But yes, it seems true.
I have found myself falling in love with this place.

Yes, love is in the air, along with the lack of humidity, the lushness of the trees, the beauty of the people that flock to this one city from all over the world.
In many ways it feels like world travel brought to my doorstep, yet I still get to speak English to ask for directions.

I am living in a tourist destination and in stark contrast to the last year of my life am now impeding the view at which many are staring.
It is a refreshing change to live among people whose eyes are intently fixed on buildings and statues and not at all on me.
At long last I have exited center stage and become a part of the backdrop and I must say, it feels good.