Finished my first week at CASEE - got a first draft of one paper away to my ex PhD supervisor and working on the next one - did lots of reading and chasing up new literature - very quiet in the office and it is the most magnificent old building - marble pillars, magnificent artwork and artefacts all based around science - photos later. They have a magnificent cafeteria - even cooked breakfast ( apparently some people start work before 7am).
On Wednesday night after I got that draft away I went to a free concert at the Kennedy Center - it was the "Don Roy Trio" consisting of Don Roy on fiddle ( from Maine ) and his wife on piano and tapping simultaneously on a wooden box, and a chap on bass. Their music was described as Franco-American " blending sounds of Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimeprovinces" real foot tapping fiddling, and Cindy Roy also did "Step dancing" which was reminiscent of Irish dancing . Lovely way to end a day - and free shuttles both ways so didnt have to walk.
Havent been eating out - there are plenty of eateries but I am usually a bit tired and happy just to flop. I am a little unsure about going out at night on my own. Next week perhaps.
Saturday
I decided that today was for me - and the Kennedy Center had an Open day with all free concerts all day - wonderful!!! Blazingly hot for the outdoor acts but I went to a range of short concerts including "Hungry Marching Band from Brooklyn NY", Step Dancing teams ( all seemed to be African Americans from sorority or fraternity groups at unviersities) - seemed to be a
cross beween tap dancing and Samoan slap dancing..., Nevada Ballet - dancing work by Balanchine ( beautiful! ), Oklahoma Stomp (band/orchestra composed of fiddles,guitars, drums and singers - seemed to be mostly young boys/men), then the 
Richmond Boys Choir from West Virginia, Washington National and then a Cuban Salsa group - really foot stomping, everyoney was getting up and joining in the dancing, and then finally an outdoor concert by Lila Downs a Mexican who 
was very talented. There was going to be dancing outdoors with "GoGo artists" until 11 pm although I knew I couldnt stay. I watched all the people could afford to go to first night of Washington National Opera La Traviata ( in their beautiful clothes) - and then I walked back to my place.
I decided that today was for me - and the Kennedy Center had an Open day with all free concerts all day - wonderful!!! Blazingly hot for the outdoor acts but I went to a range of short concerts including "Hungry Marching Band from Brooklyn NY", Step Dancing teams ( all seemed to be African Americans from sorority or fraternity groups at unviersities) - seemed to be a
cross beween tap dancing and Samoan slap dancing..., Nevada Ballet - dancing work by Balanchine ( beautiful! ), Oklahoma Stomp (band/orchestra composed of fiddles,guitars, drums and singers - seemed to be mostly young boys/men), then the 
Richmond Boys Choir from West Virginia, Washington National and then a Cuban Salsa group - really foot stomping, everyoney was getting up and joining in the dancing, and then finally an outdoor concert by Lila Downs a Mexican who 
was very talented. There was going to be dancing outdoors with "GoGo artists" until 11 pm although I knew I couldnt stay. I watched all the people could afford to go to first night of Washington National Opera La Traviata ( in their beautiful clothes) - and then I walked back to my place.Incredible variety of people taking the opportunity to be there - lots of families, lots of good will, people very willing to clap and cheer and get up and dance - lovely experience.
Very hot - the Hurricane did hit down in Texas but we didnt get the rain like we did last weekend.
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