Embassy Tour

Here's the scoop: In May the embassies in DC open their doors to the public and put on cultural displays, exhibitions and information on their country.

In typical fashion I didn't know about the events until the last day (May 17th). I heard about the Embassy Tour in DC through a friend on facebook and though I didn't meet up with the group who were going from there I did manage to wander through several embassies.

It is a weird thought as you wander into a building in DC, but technically (as far as I understand it) you are entering that country, as the embassies are considered sovereign territory.

I visited the Korean, Indonesian, Argentinian and Trinidad and Tobago Embassies.

The Korean Embassy.

Slightly confusing as you walk along Massachusetts Avenue as there seem to be multiple buildings with the the Korean flag outside, but finally finding the right one I walked into a fairly modern building which did not seem to have the grandeur I was expecting. The people on the door were very welcoming and I saw exhibits displaying elegant pale green pottery, traditional Korean dress and re-curve bow making displays. I also watched a short video on Korean which was informative but felt a little too much like a travel agent's promotional video. Outside they had a Taekwondo demonstration and beautifully painted fence which is supposed to promote long life.

Indonesian Embassy.

Despite the queue (something I saw more and more of as the day progressed) this visit was well worth the wait. The entrance hall to the embassy is magnificent and as it was a gloriously sunny day the decorative stain glassed skylight was magnificent. The double winged staircase leading up through the center held more of the decadent extravagance I was expecting to see.





With a brief welcome to the embassy, which was handled with humour, we were passed on to an open ballroom in which a small band played for us a part of a traditional warrior's song.

From there I visited some more of the embassy (including another tourist video). There was stunning wood work at various points including a scaled model of an awesome temple.







Argentinian Embassy

I read a few historical displays on Argentina and took part in a free half hour Tango lesson which was fun. While there didn't seem to be the obligatory tourist video the leaflets and posters being given away assumed you were planing to visit and, now that I have more information on Argentina than I can think what to do with, I can't say I'm not considering it...

Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago

I've saved the best till last for you, so if you're still reading well done and here is your reward; two videos of the steel band playing in the back room of the embassy.

To say that things were a little chaotic inside the embassy would be an understatement as large numbers of people wandered through the space in a haphazard fashion, but everyone was in good spirits, enjoying the energy of the band and the snacks they served were delicious.

Well that's it, unfortunately; I got to the Australian embassy as they closed, due to an insanely long queue I wasn't able to visit the Indian Embassy which from the description sounded interesting and more disappointing was the Japanese Embassy which required pre-booking for the Tea house tour. That said I did have a great day and I'm bookmarking Cultural Tourism DC who advertised and help organise the events and penciling in a return next year.