My Oyster

Sweet & Spicy...

...and I'm not just talkin' about the mangochow!

Today is DC's Carribean Festival Parade.  I have always heard it is a wild and colorful time.  But in 17 years, I have never been. I guess I am usually out of town.

But not this year.  Not today. 

Jean and I went to represent his Haiti. 

 We met up with Christian (from Trinidad) and the two Davids (from Colombia - though not the caribbean part).  I thought that the US was also part of the Carribbean (Miami & South FLA?) - but I guess I was wrong.

The Parade was...Late.  Long.  Slow.   I think it's a cultural thing.  But very entertaining. 

Here are some pics and words that capture some of the day...

T&F (F is for feathers)...

Crowds...

 

Pride...

More T&F...

Food...

Fannies (too close and being tarred?)...

Colors...

Cocks...

Smiles...

Friends...

It's Raining on our Pride Festival...

Raining men!  Atul, Jean, and me. 

But nothing says gay pride like Martha Wash and here's the video...

Jean and I took in the last few hours of the festival this afternoon.  It's a pretty amazing location here in DC...

And my favorite - the Gay Men's Chorus jumping for joy...

I Love a (Pride) Parade...

I try not to miss the Pride Parade in DC.

It's really not that big but it's big enough.  It's goes on forever and is not spaced out well.  But, it always feels like a real community affair - especially on 17th street - where I watch it.

I think the parade was especially meaningful this year because of everything that has been happening, good and bad, with the gay rights movement over the past several months.

Here are some of my favorite pics...

 

Our Mayor - tossin' some beads...

  

And here we are at dinner at the Duplex Diner after the parade...

I Never Knew...

...That Adams Morgan was once so posh.  Cuz it certainly isn't now - though it is still very cool.  Back in the day, it was the place for fur coats and lots of rich folks were moving in.  Today it is one of the most diverse and interesting parts of the city.

The pic above is of the historic Adams Morgan firehouse - built in 1908 and a sort of hacienda style - maybe a hint of the rich hispanic culture that was coming.

Jean and I did the DC Cultural Tourism walking tour of Adams Morgan.  We got a lot of good info on the history of this very diverse neighborhood - and we got to enjoy it on a sunny and warm early Sunday morning.  Here we are brunching at Tryst...

I think the most notable point I remember from the tour was the fact that the neighborhood fought to avoid the urban "renewal" disaster that was nearly forced upon it.  At one point there were plans for huge apartment buildings to replace the beautiful rowhouses and even a highway where Florida Avenue is now.  Think of Southwest DC - but in my backyard. 

OK, so the second most memorable point for me was that U2 once performed at the Ontario Theater on Columbia Road.  This is the theater now...

And I just loved this cat in a not yet opened used bookstore on 18th street. Standing guard? Awaiting customers?