Article and photos by Raoul Pascual.

The African Art Museum (also called The African Museum of Art) is part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.  It’s a beautiful massive building but, to be honest, it doesn’t have as extensive a sampling of authentic African art as I expected.  For that I guess you would need to visit the African American History and Culture Museum. You can rent the venue for personal and business functions.

If you are in a hurry and just want to get a sampling of the African culture, the AAM is a good place to start. According to their website, “the primary mission of the Education Departments of the National Museum of African Art is to strengthen global arts and humanities appreciation by helping to increase understanding of our world’s cultural and artistic traditions through the lens of African and its diasporas” — yeah, that’s quite a mouthful. From my untrained eyes, the collection seems to be more contemporary than historical. There are permanent displays as well as seasoned highlights of contemporary artists. At the time of my visit, the featured artist was Ayana V. Jackson. Kudos to the architects and the exhibit designers who gave each room its own personality. The generous space, high ceiling and dramatic lighting are displays in and of themselves. Indeed African Americans come from a proud heritage.

If you plan to visit the Smithsonian, It’s best to take the Washington Metro. Maps are available for the asking at the information booth by the entrance. Of course you can always take your chances finding a parking space but I wouldn’t.

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Bucket List

Ever since Dan’s funeral 2 years ago, Olivia had disappeared from my social circuit. She never returned my calls … never replied to my emails. So when a mutual friend said she was going to visit Olivia’s office last Wednesday, I invited myself to tag along.

Olivia had lost 20 pounds. Aside from the usual office clutter, her office was piled with memorabilia; certificates and awards plastered the walls. We reminisced the good times with her husband who was a frogman and demolition expert. Dan was among the first batch of the newly created UDT (Undersea Demolition Team) US Navy Seals. In fact, Olivia showed me his goggles and mini-oxygen tank that was smaller than a water bottle. His covert team gathered intelligence for the Cuban crisis and the Vietnam war. Dan even opened the hatch for John Glenn on February 20, 1962 when the Friendship 7 splashed safely in the ocean after the first manned orbit around the world. Dan was a devoted fan of my TGIF emails (I’m flattered).

Her life revolved around Dan. They were quite an item. She was the opinionated, skeptic who always had something to say about anything and he was the introspective analyzer curious to learn about everything from gem stones to guitar techniques. His desk and his dusty tool shed remain untouched to this day. As she shared her amazing life with her husband, tears rolled down her cheeks: “We did everything together but I took him for granted … I didn’t realize I would miss him this much.” Indeed, this widow was a zombie for 6 months. It took an hour to say my goodbyes because she would not let me go. It must have been a while since someone listened to her stories. Bless her strained heart.

Washington, DC
During my college days, my school was a half hour walk away from the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, DC. I took it for granted that I’d have enough free time to explore. However, the only time I museum hopped was when out-of-town guests forced me to show them around. I’ve always wanted to return to DC and soak in that wealth of history. So, tomorrow I’ll be taking a jet plane back to my old haunts. I’ll be visiting my Aunt who took care of me then. She’s my second Mom. I need to do this while she’s still cognitive. Not sure what I’ll do there … what to talk about, what to see … but I just know this visit has been a long time coming.

Conclusion
How often do we take people and places for granted? The great philosopher Ferris Beuller said “If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

How’s your bucket list? The world is changing faster than a baby’s diaper. Don’t know about you, but I’m not missing this one.

TGIF People!

“He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of His name. Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid, because You are with me. Your rod and Your shepherd’s staff comfort me.” – Psalm 23: 3-4

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Clinton of Arizona

Parting Shots

Thanks to Mike of New York

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre. CA

Thanks to Erick of La Habra, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

I found these

The Traveling Boy

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.

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