Cockroaches and Crickets in Washington, DC (June 27, 2014)

We try to strategically time our outings to take advantage of any and all air conditioning opportunities. Given the projected temps, it’s a great day for an indoor outing. We take the boys into DC and see the Washington monument, the Capitol building, and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The museum is amazing. The gem and mineral exhibit alone is worth the trip.

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IMG_0898We also see sea animal skeletons, a movie about undersea exploration, mummies, butterflies, etc. The boys are able to virtually interact with dinosaurs (too hard to even explain) and see some creatures up close. Poor Joshua – he loves animals so much and wants a pet so badly that he even gazes fondly at a Madagascar cockroach. IMG_0927

 

 

On the walk back to the car, we pass the National Archives.

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We decide to get dinner in DC before going back to the boat and pick a trendy little Mexican place. They have a variety of wonderfully described miniature tacos, including one with crickets. Not kidding. Matt orders it. Again, not kidding.

Go ahead and look. All crickets!

Go ahead and look. All crickets!

I like to consider myself gastronomically adventurous but there are limits. “Really?” I say to Matt. “You don’t think the chef and the sous-chef have an ongoing bet to see how many gross things they can get people to eat – all under the guise of haute cuisine?” I ask the waiter if many people order them. He says yes but smiles. I start laughing. “But they don’t actually finish eating them, do they?” I ask. He laughs too and says that most of their tacos can be eaten in 3 bites. The cricket ones take five. Enough said.

Matt examining wings and legs and working up the courage to take a bite.

Matt examining wings and legs and working up the courage to take a bite.