This blog post could be about the first two days of our honeymoon in DC but in reality it's about what I learned within the first 5 days of being married (plus a lot of pictures). Marriage is about compromise. WHOA. Remarkable breakthrough, I know...I don't think ANYONE has ever made that statement before.

First, let's focus on travel, the majority of the population would agree flying is the simplest form of travel. Well, I married someone who doesn't fly. I did know this since our first date so it wasn't like he surprised me with this after saying "I do". Kristian and I drove to Jacksonville and got on the Amtrak Thursday. I have to say I was a total skeptic but it was awesome. My friend Ashley does it practically once a month and I see why. My sleep wasn't interrupted, I slept my normal hours, had normal food, etc. Our room had two beds & a bathroom so it was great. I am a clean freak, picky person and this was totally normal! I'm even looking into traveling by train again soon.

So one downside, we arrived at 8am in D.C. and our hotel wasn't ready until 2pm, finding something to do for those hours was pretty boring but I've discovered the magic to traveling to big cities and having bad hair; blow dry bar. With all that time to kill I went to Blow Dry Bar and got a blow out. (Truthfully I forgot shampoo and conditioner and I didn't hate it.) PS: Notice that dry shampoo in my hand, lifesaver!

For breakfast on the day we arrived we had Old Ebbitt Grill then we went to Founding Farmers for lunch. I have a thing for mint juleps...probably because I can never find a restaurant that serves them!

So back to this whole "marriage is a compromise" thing, again, I'm a picky eater. I like fancy food and I just married a person who likes "simple" food. Kristian picked dinner at Ted's Bulletin. I would never have picked this place but of course he raved about it ALL week! (And I did eat everything on my plate!) Obviously I was super excited about this... see below! Ha!

Our hotel was incredible, we stayed at the Hay-Adams and had the best view in the city of the White House.

On Friday we started our day with a Library of Congress tour then walked to the Supreme Court. The architecture, the incredible size of the buildings astonished me. I really didn't remember all of these buildings in D.C. being so grandeur. Library of Congress was probably by favorite building on the inside, while the Supreme Court was by far the most beautiful exterior. The weather was in our favor for the week, no humidity, cool nights, I think the humidity and heat came back the day we left!

For the Library of Congress we did a tour through our Congressman's office. It was smaller than the average tour that you walk up and join at the L.O.C. and she took us through the better parts of the Library to see, after the tour we could stay as long as we liked to explore more. Kristian went down and got a library card and actually went into the library, whereas I only saw it behind the glass. He went inside the room below...

This was inside Thomas Jefferson's Library that he sold to L.O.C.

The Bibles in Thomas Jefferson's Library

We then walked next door to the Supreme Court

We walked through the SCOTUS on a self guided tour. It was really amazing that anyone could just walk in all of these places, I didn't expect that at all. (The capitol was SO crowded, but that's for another day!)

For dinner Friday night we went to a place I chose, which in my opinion was the best dinner of the trip. We went to Georgetown to Fiola Mare right on the Potomac River.

In my next life I have two requests, I'd like to be a mixologist & a chef. I have so much appreciation for good drinks and good food. This dinner was exceptional, I would have gone back a few more times if marriage was NOT about compromise...haha!

Above is the shrimp cocktail and a yellowtail, salmon roe, and truffle jelly appetizer. The below are pictures of two delicious drinks and my favorite mushroom risotto with truffles.

So, when can I go back to eat at this restaurant!?

More posts about our trip will be up in a few days with our Capitol & White House tour!

XOXO