Thursday, March 13, 2014

It. Was. Cold. These are the words to describe our first March MJ. In Alexandria, VA near the water, my friends and I huddled closer so as to pitch in what was left of the body heat we still had. But wait, before I get ahead of myself, let's start from the beginning.

If you look at the map of Washington, DC, you will find a diamond shape that looks to be lacking a point.  That 'slacking point' is actually Alexandria, VA. "How so," you ask? Well, in late 1700s when DC was founded, the Federal Government asked Virginia and Maryland to 'donate' 10 square miles of their land to establish the U.S. Capital.  Why Maryland and Virginia you ask?  Well it just so happens that at the time of DC's founding, The United States only consisted of a large strip of land starting in Maine and running down the east coast, ending in Georgia so DC was "dab smack" in the middle.  Additionally, it was right on top of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, ideal international trading posts for goods as well as slaves.  There were many posts positioned on these rivers, especially on the Alexandria County side. Plus, Alexandria was a major post for slave trading, so when a couple hundred years later, abolitionists in Washington decided to speak more powerfully expressing logically how hypocritical it would be to represent free states as a slave state, Alexandria begin to get nervous as they possessed poor infrastructures, was unrepresented in congress, and had their primary income threatened.  Therefore Alexandria filed a retrocession with Virginia and was classified as a county in Virginia instead of Washington DC.  Historic Alexandria, or "Old Town," was founded in the mid 1700s.  Although is was a large slave trading post, it served additionally as the home for a large free-black community, a Civil War supply for Union Troops, as well as a suburb for federal workers.  Today, Alexandria Virginia is known for its restaurants, boutiques, and its modern, as well as historic, art-scene in a walkable waterfront setting.     
The night before the MJ, Eliza- Jane and I coordinated the time to arrive at the bus to get to the Silver Spring Station.  If you don't already know, Eliza and I have a history of "le' stru-gee-lays" with catching the bus, so after expressing our discontent about the 7am arrival at the bus stop, we were pretty proud of ourselves when our plans worked out.  After arriving at the Silver Spring Metro Station and riding it to Kings Street Metro in Alexandria, we couldn't stop smiling and laughing because WE ARRIVED ON TIME! "Snap a picture because this might not ever happen again!" Alas, 8:59am, a minute before we had to be there, Eliza and I were pulling into the station.  YESA! Look at us! Because no one else had arrived yet, we ventured on to June Coffee. Let me tell you, if you ever want a sausage or bacon egg and cheese bagel, this is the place! They were AWE-MAZING, and I am putting it on my bucket list to go back.
Once everyone arrived, we coordinated to meet at the Starbucks nearby and when we figured out where we were going first, we departed to our first stop: The Torpedo Factory.  No, this is not where the underwater war weapons are fashioned, but rather where art is created.  This factory is the largest visual center across the U.S. consisting of three floors with 84 galleries.  Built during WWI as an amunition factory, today The Torpedo Factory is a main attraction in "Old Town." Not only can one discover different forms of art but also meet and interview different artists, which bring us to our first mission. Find and interview Poppi and take photos with her. 
Although we couldn't directly interview Poppi because she didn't come in on Thursdays, we were able to interview her co worker, who told us a lot about her.  "Poppi" is the fun and clever alter ego of Dawn Benedetto.  She fashions jewelry that is designed to stretch and fit almost everyone! The metal Benedetto stretches and bends is a very complicated task that requires precise skills and certain tools to avoid squishing the precious material.  According to Poppi's coworker, she is so skilled that she doesn't have to use these tools, and she can just shape the metal with her hands.  Only few artists possess such preciseness.  

Additionally, Kai, Daryn, Eliza, and I were able to interview another artist who made Bubble Art.  What is Bubble Art? It's a tube filled with water that sort of, softly boils.  Within the water are recycled sculpted glass shaped to be sea shells making the bubble tubes to be sea themed.  Always interested in sea life, this medium inspired her.  She really loves her  job because she was in high school when her family visited the grand open of the Torpedo Factory, and her life long dream was to be a successful artist who worked in the Factory. 
After taking a picture of this art, we headed out to the boardwalk to take a group photo. TALK. ABOUT. COLD. I would've cried, but I think the water in my eyes was frozen.  They should have filmed Frozen there because we literally were frozen! Shout out to the person who invented hats, gloves, and scarves! Whoever invented these articles of clothing deserves a Nobel Peace Prize becaaaaause! Whew! That was the smartest invention ever. 
After a lunch break at Chipotle we hiked through the cold to Freedom House on Duke Street.  If you don't know already, this "House" possesses a unique connection to the movie, 12 Years a Slave.  In the movie, Solomon Northrup, a free black man, is kidnapped and sold into 12 years of agonizing slavery.  James Burch, the D.C. based slave dealer who holds the responsibility for selling Northrup into slavery, would go on to become the owner of the largest slave trading company in the country located in Alexandria from 1859-1861.  Recently in 2008, the Freedom House was created in the building dedicated to telling the stories of men, women, and children who were unfortunately and brutally sold into slavery.  "I think a lot of Alexandrians would be shocked to know their city was a major hub of the country's slave trade," Freedom House Curator Julian Kiganda told the AP. "It's a story that's not told often enough."  The Freedom house is a major asset to Alexandria, VA and should be visited more frequently, so Alexandrians will know the history regarding slave trading.  
Although FREEZING, this MJ was awesome and extremely informative, and I can't wait until the second one this month!