What We Miss Most About DC

After our church and friends, the thing we miss the most about Washington, DC is... the Metro. Locals call it the Metro or the train; visitors unfashionably call it the subway. But no matter what you call it, the Metro allows DC-area residents to live pretty much car-free. In fact, many (most?) of the neighbors in my building didn't own cars. When they needed a set of wheels they easily rented a Zipcar by the hour.

Unlike the New York subway, DC's Metro is safe and clean. And unlike halfhearted mass transit systems in other cities, DC's metro can get you pretty much anywhere in the District and its Virginia and Maryland suburbs. No traffic hassles! No parking nightmares! No parking tickets!! No smashed windows! No calling the police to report your car stolen! But best of all - no need for a car seat.

If you're going to drive your baby around in a car, you'll definitely need a car seat. (Which also means cab rides are out.) But car seats have got to be one of the most unnatural necessities of mothering. Mama holding baby in her arms is natural. Mama strapping baby into a plastic seat is not. Mama being near baby is natural. Mama being just out of arms reach of baby is not. Baby being able to see mama is natural. Baby not being able to see mama is not. Baby being able to nurse and be comforted as needed is natural. Baby stuck by himself alone in the back of a car is not. My baby does not like cars, and I don't blame him!

With the Metro, just grab a well-stocked diaper bag, wrap baby onto your body, and go. Baby can watch the world, interact with others, fall asleep, and nurse as he wants all while "on the road."

Just outside our Metro station:


Waiting for the train:




Riding the train:


And please, on behalf of all DC-area residents, if you visit the city:

• Stand ON THE RIGHT and walk on the left while riding the Metro escalators.
  
• Stand TO THE SIDE and let passengers off BEFORE trying to get on the train.
• Don't stand by the doors - move TO THE MIDDLE of the train.
• Don't sit in an aisle seat if there is a window seat available.
  
• Don't eat or drink in a station or on a train.