Friday, March 20th　 State College → Baltimore

Woke up at 8:30.
Bought hamburgers at Winky's. Ready to leave by 11:00.

Left for Baltimore with Mark at 11:30. Doug rode along to Harrisburg. (Mark's Beetle is quite a car. It only goes up to 50 or 60 mph, so it might get caught by the highway's lower speed limit.)

Unfortunately, it was pouring rain. “It totally ruins the places I wanted to show you and the spots I wanted you to photograph,” Mark kept lamenting.

Arrived at Mark's parents' house in Baltimore at 3:00 PM.
Mark's brother George and his family also welcomed us. Three-year-old Agapi is adorable.
Everyone speaks Greek. Mark's mother doesn't speak English. The feeling of being in a Greek household slowly sinks in.

Out at night. Mark shows me Baltimore's slums and downtown.
Then to a bar. It's packed. A strip show on the catwalk.

After 10:30, we head to a Greek-style cabaret (Acropolis) near the harbor.
Two dancers, Greek music, singing, sailors' impromptu dancing – all brilliant! We stick it out until 1:30 a.m. with a few beers.

After returning, ate the late-night snack Mark made and went to bed quietly. Careful not to wake his father, a priest (Greek Orthodox).

March 21 (Sat)

10:30 AM Woke up
Everyone except Mark had already eaten breakfast.
Greeted Father. He is, as Mark says, “quite a character” – dignified demeanor, gentle smile.

11:30
Went out with George's family (George 33, wife 22, Agapi 3), Mother, and Mark.
Fort McHenry --- Beautiful fort, overlooking the harbor. Lots of old cannons.

3:00 PM
Mark and I rode on the Beetle. Took photos of the Washington Monument and drove around Baltimore.
Walter's Art Gallery --- Many ancient and medieval works. Wonderful.

At night, listened to the family conversing in Greek and watched TV. Bored.

March 22 (Sun) Baltimore

10:00 AM Woke up
Only George went to church. Of course, since his father is a pastor.
Wandered around the neighborhood with Mark until after 1:00 PM.

1:30 PM
Took the Beetle with Mark.
Baltimore Museum of Art closed for the holiday. Drove through Pruitt Hill Park in the rain.

3:30 PM
Rain stops. Drive to northern suburbs. Shooting range, ranch. Ranch milkshake was delicious.

March 23 (Mon) Baltimore → Washington DC

9:30 a.m. Woke up
Dad had already left for church. George's family had also gone back to Connecticut. Even cute Agapi.
Breakfast was Mark's omelet and bacon, plus bread and milk.

11:00 a.m.
Mark and his mom drove me to Washington in the Beetle.

1:00 PM
Arrived at The Mall. Snapped a photo of Mark and his mom with the Capitol in the background.

Mark and Mom

2:00 PM Parted ways with them.

No idea where to go.
Wandered aimlessly, walking north from The Mall.

Had lunch at a drugstore along the way, ordered Chaw Main. Tasted awful.
Bought a map. Entered Woodward & Lothrop's Department Store and used the map to plan where to go next. No ideas.

Hailed a taxi. $1 to the YMCA.
Hated the Y because it's a gay hangout, but “cheap” won't lie. Still, Washington is $6.50. Tonight's lodging secured.

16:00
Walked while booking tomorrow's Gray Line tour. Walking is also good for getting to know the terrain.
Booked tomorrow's Tour A at the Chinese shop next to Gray Line. $19.50.
On the way back, had a fancy meal at a Chinese restaurant, beer included.

Scared at night, but went out. Movie, $3.25. Arrived at the Y at midnight, looking at the White House and Treasury Dept. Decided to quit smoking because my throat hurts. 1:00 a.m., went to bed.