A few photos from peak Cherry Blossom season in DC in which Charles and I came (that sounds kind of naughty), saw and decided to never come back again.
At least never come back again on a Friday at 5:30pm.
^^ My love. <3 
I have never seen the Tidal Basin in DC as packed as it was on this day. Crowds and crowds of claustrophobically congregated people, all shouldering for a piece of prime photo real estate with the blooms and national landmarks.
And there Charles and I were, shouldering around with the rest of them and cringing the entire time. It was an out of body experience in which we questioned the integrity everybody’s FOMO including our own.
These photos were all taken within 5 minutes of each other because, despite being ready to leave the minute we arrived, I couldn’t go without having something to show for our effort.
^^ Charles decided to wait “over there” for me.
Many of the photos I took were out of focus because I was more focused on navigating through people than taking photos. But I did get one semi-decent shot.
^^ The Thomas Jefferson Memorial in all its spring glory.
I had originally planned to go see the blossoms at 6 in the morning but couldn’t find anyone to go with me. So Charles, being the awesome husband he is, volunteered to tag along but after work which is how we got caught in the tourist swarm.
I don’t know why but crowded places give me anxiety…
You could blame it on my growing up the daughter of a retired DC police officer who taught me to be hyper-aware and vigilant in crowds where anything could potentially pop off.
Or you could blame it on my arts management background that reinforced the importance of environment and creating spaces that allow the viewer to experience art (or in this case, flowers) as purely as possible with the least amount of side distraction and noise.
Either way, next year I will stick to my guns and go see the cherry blossoms at sunrise… Even if it means going by myself.
Do you get anxiety in crowded places?
xo, Setarra
P.S. Linking up w/ Wanderful Wednesday :)
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