Weekend with Andrew in The Capital and The Land of Mary (with Photos)

Hi, folks and friends! How are we all doing today? Did you guys have a wonderful weekend? Hope you had a good, relaxing weekend.

Well, my wife Freny and I spent the weekend with our young adult son Andrew in The Capital and The Land of Mary. That's right, in DC and Maryland where he currently works and resides, respectively. As you may well know, we've visited him a couple of times last year, though. But in his old address, that is. We've met his housemates and they also shared, one time, with us the dinner they collaboratively cooked or prepared. (They graciously invited us to partake what they've cooked that night. And we were so thankful for their hospitality.) I still can vividly remember the dishes they served us: Andrew did cook fried asparagus, he said, while one of his housemates did pork chops. Beth did the (boiled) white rice. We had a lively dinner, with red wine. We had a great time that night. Eventually, we ended up spending the night there. Truly, we did enjoy each other's company, with animated, engaging conversation.

This time, Andrew and his housemates have moved to another house last month. Knowing that they've moved to another rental house with same housemates, Freny and I have decided to visit him. And his housemates, too. But before leaving Hampton Roads Saturday, we went to a Filipino restaurant in Virginia Beach where we bought a tray of "pancit bihon" and "lechon kawali" and that sweet banana fried rolls for Andrew and his housemates.

Arriving in DC/Maryland, after almost four hours on the road, (thank God for GPS), Freny and I learned from our son that Beth wasn't there. Andrew said that the latter left that Saturday morning for New York. But she told Andrew that we could spend the night there if we so decide. We found out that she left us a note (in her room) welcoming us to their new house. She graciously offered her room for us if we decide to spend the night there which we did. Likewise she told us to feel at home and that she'd see us next time. (The following day, Sunday morning, while getting ready to go to Sunday Mass at the Basilica, Freny wrote a note thanking her for her hospitality. We left her also a present---a box of chocolate and a bottle of locally produced wine from Chesapeake.) Now, I don't know if it's inappropriate (rude or impolite) for us, her guests, but we used our own bedding since we brought our own pillows and blankets (which we don't normally do. And most of the time, we spend the night at one of the chain hotels there where we usually do.) Anyway, Freny and I had the opportunity to see graduate students Den and Kev again, and to meet another graduate student Pat, and a Professor by the name of Chuck, other two of  Andrew's housemates whom we haven't met before. We shared with them the cooked food we brought from Hampton Roads.

The following day, Freny, Andrew and I attended Sunday Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in DC, next to Catholic University of America. As you know, each time we're in DC, we always visit the Basilica.) We had lunch there at the restaurant adjacent to the store shops at the Basilica. (Wish Tintin was with us, too. She's in D-ville where she got her first job after college.) Afterwards, we took pictures as souvenirs. Then, we drove Andrew back to his house prior to leaving DC/Maryland for HR. We had a great time together with Andrew, I'd say. At least, we had the opportunity to see him again because the last time we saw him was when he came home for the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

It was past 8:00 o'clock p.m. when we arrived home. As always, Freny did the driving. Man, she's a pro when it comes to long distance driving. As she said, she loves driving. No doubt about it.

Well, this is all for now, my dear folks and friends. Until next time around. Take care and have a great day, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 25Feb2013

Post Script: Photos below were taken on 24 February 2013 in "The Land of Mary" and The Capital.

Here's a picture of Andrew. Behind him is the new house where he and his housemates reside somewhere in "The Land of Mary."

A snapshot of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC, where we attended the 10:30 Sunday Mass, 24 February 2013.

Here's Andrew and me, in front of the Basilica after attending the Sunday Mass and having lunch at the restaurant there.

Here's me and Freny at the facade of the Basilica, after the 10:30 Sunday Mass and lunch at the restaurant inside the National Shrine where there's also gift shops.

 On our way back home to Hampton Roads, we stopped by at this Welcome Center/Rest Area in Northern Virginia. Here, we took the time to have our picture taken by a fellow traveler. To him I say, thanks, man.

Thanks for taking the time with us. Hope you enjoyed and learned something from me/us.-caq