10/28/00: Washington, D.C.

After months of planning, angst, and sleep deprivation, we finally left home for a four-month sabbatical around the world.

First stop: Washington, D.C. While the East Coast can feel far away, the flight took less than two hours. We wanted some quintessential American cuisine before heading to Paris. So we headed to Ben’s Chili Bowl, a Washington, D.C. landmark that throbs with character and a soulful jukebox. We relished Ben’s chilidogs, fries with cheese and chili sauce, milk shakes, and Pepsi. Bon appetit!