Colonial Williamsburg, day 1

Today opened ominously when we noticed that the eggs at the hotel's breakfast bar were being prepared in a simple fry-pan held over the parking-lot asphalt. The heat index would reach 110 by midday, though we suspect this measurement must have been taken in the shade.

We began the first of two days at Colonial Williamsburg. What really made the day fun was watching Evan and Alex try to piece together all of the bits of history. We started at the beautiful Colonial Governor's palace (with a fabulous garden maze), where the domestics were preparing for a party that night, but worried about the growing discontent of the town's inhabitants. This observation proved prescient in several ways. First, the citizens in the street were indeed riled up about the governor's seizure of gunpowder and were threatening to storm the palace. Evan (apparently paying attention) was extremely concerned that this would upset the party!

What was less enjoyable than these revolutionary theatrics was the apparently genuine unpleasantness of the town's inhabitants. We aren't sure if it was the heat and humidity or some deep method acting, but almost all of the costumed denizens were abrupt and appeared to be put out with having to talk to us. We weren't even asking dumb questions (yet). The city was charming, but the attitude of the "living history" folks made us glad we live in the present.


Just when it seemed our spirits were starting to flag, Ani signed us up for an hour long monologue by George Washington, followed by 75 minutes of Q&A. The guy was really very good, but even Will started to get antsy during the second hour. The highlight was when Alex raised his hand during the Q&A, and the father of our country, more than 100 feet away in a theater crammed with 300 sweaty tourists, called on our baby boy. Afraid that Alex would ask something along the lines of "when do we get to make pinch pots," Ani and Will practically fell out of their seats trying to cover his mouth and pull down his hand. George Washington, ever a vindicator of the rights of man (and boys), sternly rebuked the parents: "does he not have a question, or do you just not want him to ask it? Let him ask." Struck dumb by this (facsimile of a) great man, Ani and Will could do nothing but silently and shamefully shake their heads.

These are the indeed the times that try men's souls! Back out in the sunshine, these patriots were relieved to escape Washington's awful gaze and gratefully returned to the snarly artisans.

Did I say it was hot?

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