Hustle.

If I had to capture the essence of being out and about in Washington, D.C. in one word, it’d be hustle. People are moving fast all the time, thousands of professionals riding the Metro and grabbing quick bites to eat before and after work, tourists cramming every Kodak moment into their always-too-short-of-a-stay, and thousands of wide-eyed interns experiencing the city for the very first time.

I’m one of those kids with the wide eyes.

Being a laid-back, beach-bum Florida boy, I’ve definitely had to adjust to the speed of this place. The reason I’ve opted for this sudden change of pace is because I am now a student in The Washington Center’s Media and Communication Program and an intern with The Washington Examiner. For the next 10 weeks, I’ll be writing for the paper, taking an ethics class and taking advantage of every moment I have in this overwhelming place. It’s going to be a fun ride.

I hope to provide a unique look at a summer spent in D.C. After talking to enough of my fellow interns, I can tell most people opt for TWC housing, so I know I’m coming at this from a rather uncommon perspective—as a commuter student traveling from Manassas, VA, every day. I am lucky to be staying with a wonderful host family for my girlfriend (a fellow TWC intern) and me. It’s going to be a D.C. adventure, but I’m going to be able to get a taste of the areas right outside of the city, too. The whole metropolitan area seems to have so much to offer; I can only hope I will get to see all or most of it.

As for my first week here, I’ve been consumed with getting settled in and learning the basics: riding the Metro (and in my case, the Virginia Rail Express, too) escalator etiquette (stand on the right, walk on the left) and planning a whole lot. With a program so involved and a city so rich, keeping a written schedule is imperative.

My first chance to wander around came during Sunday’s Museum Walk Weekend, where several museums in the  Dupont Circle and Kalorama neighborhoods offer free admission to all. Although lingering clouds led to a lingering storm, the rain couldn’t keep me down too long. I managed to see some fantastic artwork at the Phillips Collection, including a Renoir I never thought I’d see in its original form.

It was a real treat to see Luncheon of the Boating Party, one of my favorite paintings.

Each museum had a unique personality, as they were all old majestic homes from the days when D.C. when was younger. You could feel the age of the structures while walking through them. Some museums hosted artwork, while others provided the history of the building itself. Anderson House, for instance, was the headquarters for the Society of the Cincinnati, the country’s oldest patriotic organization. It was an impressive place, with grand meeting rooms, dining rooms and hallways. Tapestries hung on many walls, and murals were around every corner.

My girlfriend, Amanda, particularly enjoyed a long hallway over looking walled garden that had old maps hanging on the walls.

I’ll have a little bit more on the museums next time, including some video. For now, adios!