G'Day Mate!

Cultural Tourism DC is a non-profit that helps to strengthen and showcase the heritage and arts programs that DC has to offer. Every year they sponsor an event called Passport DC. This is a week long event with many activities going on. I think it's probably impossible to get to all or even most of them. What I was looking forward to was the Embassy Open House where many of the embassies open their doors to showcase their country's art, music, culture, dance and food. Because lines are long, you can't expect to make it to very many of the embassies so we didn't even try.

After checking out the sawdust carpets we jumped on the metro and headed toward the Australian embassy. The line stretched out the door and about two blocks down the street. People were being allowed in only as other people left. The line moved slowly but steadily. Once inside and through security, there was a man from one of the aboriginal tribes telling us a little bit about the history of the native peoples there. He also gave an awesome demonstration of the didgeridoo. We listened to him for about 10 minutes before moving on.

From there a line formed where you could pick up some tourism brochures and information about work visa programs. Also, you could sample some foods and wine from Australia. It really was a lot of fun. I sure hope I get to visit one day.

We thought we might have time to take in another embassy or two, but after standing in line for so long we didn't even try. We maybe could have made it into another one, but decided to go grab a bite to eat instead.

I think if we lived here in DC permanently I would try to check out two or three every year. It would be fun to attend some of the other events as well as they have dance and art programs throughout the week.