Guadalupe by Nestum23

One of the things I love about DC is that like many big cities, it’s full of diversity that can change within just a few short blocks.  If you were to pop out of the Metro at the Smithsonian station on the Mall and start walking north, you’d first be surrounded by monuments and government buildings and experience what most tourists see.  As you walked through downtown, you might see a little more color as you strolled by restaurants, chain stores, and street vendors.  Eventually you would be in a more residential area full of rowhomes, parks, and people going about their daily lives.  You’d likely notice the gay presence in Dupont, the conglomerate of colorful stores and bars along U street, and as you got to Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant you’d start to be enveloped in the Latino community.  That’s what first came to mind when I saw this photo.  The juxtaposition of a bikini babes calendar with the Virgin Mary (or Virgen de Guadalupe) is not an uncommon site as you walk past the storefronts in Mt P.  You almost feel like you’re in another country.

This journey that you just went on, well, it takes place in less than an hour.

Welcome to DC.

Max Cook

Hailing from the Mile High City, Max has also lived in Tinsel Town, the Emerald City, as well as the City of Brotherly Love. Now a District resident, he likes to write about cool photos by local photographers, the DC restaurant and bar scene, or anything else that pops into his mind.