I've found my new hiding place in Washington, DC. In the center of everything, with the best panoramic view of the Capitol, the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian is one of the most peaceful locations the city has to boast. The running waters, labeled crops, beautiful architectural design, and lined-greenery offers locals and tourists alike, a chance to breathe in a bit of serenity in an otherwise hectic city before even entering the museum. This was a special treat after a morning spent navigating the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, where I feared Henry the Elephant (link takes you to a Smithsonian Channel youtube special on The Elephant in the Rotunda) might be trampled by eager visitors on the hunt for displaced dinosaurs and special-featured live butterflies in the Butterfly Pavillion.
Upon entering, we were greeted by Jimmy Locklear, the most delightful, friendly, and informative host. Jimmy offered maps and brochures in multiple languages, and helped us navigate the building, advising us to start at the top, with the introductory short movie, and work our way downstairs to the exit. Jimmy and I had a special bond as his tag noted he was a Lumbee Indian, and I attended the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, which was originally built as a college specifically for the Lumbee Tribe. I decided to become a Smithsonian volunteer just for Jimmy, and was granted immediate access to his office and the aforementioned panoramic view of the Capitol.
I might be a bit biased since we had so much personal service and attention from Jimmy who found a "sister" in me, but this was by far one of the best museum experiences I've had in a long time. After perusing the exhibits and artifacts, and listening to the stories being told throughout the halls, you can't help but to feel a certain zen and long for a simpler life that appreciates nature as the Native Americans do. To say that I will be visiting more often is an understatement; I look forward to spending more time with Jimmy and the museum as a volunteer and will be grateful to escape the DC rat-race for a few moments at a time. --Theresa Fox
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