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A Very Hoya Thanksgiving

ThanksgivingHappy (early) Thanksgiving, Hoyas! Besides all of the travel plans, cheer, relatives and turkey, there is another reason for this much-needed break: giving thanks! On the Hilltop, we have many things to be thankful for. Here is 4E’s list of what we’d like to give thanks for at Georgetown:

1. Short lines at Corp locations – Hoyas need their caffeine to live. A short line at MUG can and will translate into an uncannily happy Hoya.

2. Empty machines at Yates – We all know the importance of working on that fitness. When Hoyas see an open elliptical those endorphins go crazy.

3. The Omelet Lady at Leo’s – “Get ya omelets!” Leo’s brunch would not be the same without that special bell. And if they get the order completely right? All the better.

4. Open tables on Lau 2 – Near an outlet, with chairs … oh, the joys. Staking out Lau territory is serious business.

5. Holiday drinks – Pumpkin spice lattes for days. There is not a girl on this campus who doesn’t explode with happiness when these drinks come out for the season.

6. Georgetown merchandise – You don’t own a Georgetown shirt? Do you even go here?

7. Chicken Finger Thursday – Best day of the week, no questions asked.

8. Wisey’s cookies – Any day is better when an chocolate chip Oreo cookie is involved. Actually, any day is better when Wisey’s in general is involved. Burger Madness anyone?

9. M Street shopping – You know what I’m saying. Who doesn’t like walking downtown and engaging in some retail therapy? Admit it: You’re going to use Christmas shopping as an excuse to go to M Street a little more often, aren’t you?

10. Half-priced Qdoba Tuesdays – Guacamole. Avocados. Amazingness. Could it get any better?

11. SafeRides – This is a Hilltop, and we should not be expected to climb it. Thanks for always saving our aching legs, SafeRides.

12. John B. Carroll, J.J., Jack – WE LOVE BULLDOGS!

13. The magical place we call the Hilltop – HOYA SAXA! And, of course, basketball … always basketball.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, HOYAS!

Photos: College Prowler, Turtle Techie
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DCTC: Basketball Season

DCTC Verizon CenterDust off your “We Are Georgetown” shirts, my fellow Hoyas: it’s BASKETBALL SEASON! For those of you all who are not super D.C. savvy, getting to Verizon Center can be a little nerve-wracking. But don’t worry, you can always count on the D.C. Travel Companion (DCTC) to help you out!

Basketball season creates a sort of “mob mentality” (full of all types of Hoyas) when it comes to getting to the game. Going to Verizon Center is always exciting, but it isn’t always easy. You don’t want to be that one lonely Hoya who gets lost on the Metro as you head to a basketball game. People might laugh, and one of them will likely be me. So, to spare you any embarrassing moments, here is what you need to know to get to the game in one piece:

Option 1: Metro

Step 1 — Getting to the Metro

In order to get to the metro, you can take either the Rosslyn G.U.T.S. bus or the Dupont G.U.T.S. bus to get to the Rosslyn or Dupont stops, respectively. The shuttle service is free, which is always a plus for college students. (Estimated travel time: 10 minutes.)

Step 2 — Taking the Metro:

If you are departing from the Rosslyn Metro station, take either the Blue line (toward Largo Town Center) or the Orange line (toward New Carrolton) to Metro Center. (Estimated travel time: 7 minutes.)

From Metro Center, you can either take the Red line to Gallery Place (estimated travel time: 5-10 minutes) or just walk the short distance straight to the Verizon Center. From personal experience, it is often much quicker to walk — Verizon Center is only four short blocks from the Metro Center stop (see below)!

If you are departing from the Dupont Metro station, take the Red line (toward Glenmont) to Metro Center (estimated travel time: 4 minutes) or Gallery Place (estimated travel time: 6 minutes). Once again, you can either walk from Metro Center or take the train directly to Gallery Place.

Each of these trips costs $2.70 using fare cards and $1.70 using SmarTrip cards.

Step 3 — Walking to the Verizon Center from Metro Center or Gallery Place:

From the Metro Center station, walk east down G Street until you see the beacon of hope that is Verizon Center. It is about a five-minute walk.

From the Gallery Place station, go up the 7th and F Street escalators and you’ll be at Verizon Center. It’s as easy as that.

Total travel time: 30-40 minutes.

Option 2: Taxi

If you choose to take a taxi to Verizon Center, it usually takes around 20 minutes if you leave from the front gates and should cost around $15-20 each way.

Option 3: New Georgetown Shuttle 

Starting this season, Georgetown is offering a shuttle service (departing from McDonough parking lot) to Verizon Center. This shuttle will only be available for transportation to games (not from them) and will leave 1.5 hours before the start of the game. The shuttle will be available for games against High Point University (Dec. 5), Colgate University (Dec. 7) and the Big East conference home games against Seton Hall, Marquette, Villanova, Butler and Xavier. All student season ticket holders are eligible, and those who will be able to use this service will be notified 3-5 days before the game. There are more specific eligibility requirements and information on how to receive your bus passes here.

Option 4: Metro Buses

The Georgetown-Union Station circulator route is also another transportation option for Georgetown students. You can pick up this bus at N and Wisconsin Avenue (near The Daily Grill) for just $1. The travel time for this trip is about 40 minutes, and the bus drops you off at Massachusetts and 7th Street. From there, it is a four-minute walk down 7th Street to Verizon Center.

 

Remember, Hoya basketball games can get packed, so be sure to budget a little extra time to arrive early and get great seats. Generally, it’s a good idea to leave approximately an hour before game time. Now get up, get down to the Phone Booth and cheer on your fellow Hoyas! You know what they say: “New Big East, Same Old Beast!”

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A Very D.C. Halloween: Embassy Row

Embassy Row

The costumes, the candy, the decorations: it’s almost as magical as basketball season. Here in D.C., we take the sacred tradition of trick-or-treating to an entirely new level. Here at Georgetown we have to take Halloween to the international level. That’s right. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Because I’m thinking about trick-or-treating at the embassies. I know, you’re dying from excitement, aren’t you? (And if you aren’t, you probably are a Halloween-hater, so shame on you.)

Here is the low down: Every Halloween, Georgetown students, young and old (but really just young), gather on Embassy Row to trick-or-treat. Each embassy opens its doors and gives out candy to all of the dragons, witches and Mileys it can see. Where else does a tradition as great as this exist? (Answer: nowhere. D.C. is the best place in the entire world. Case and point.)

Where even are the embassies? Embassy Row is a stretch of road located on Massachusetts Avenue, between Thomas Circle and Ward Circle. The easiest way to get there is to take the GUTS Bus to DuPont and walk up Massachusetts until you see flags that aren’t special to the US of A. Or just follow the crowd. There will be a crowd.

What to wear I would hope that intelligent Georgetown students understand the idea of Halloween, but you never know. Just wear your favorite costume! You don’t need to be super creative (even though that would be ideal). Check out this amazing list.

When should I go? College students trick-or-treat during the day on November 1st from 3p.m. until 6p.m.

What should I say? You’re a college student now, so I hope you can figure this one out yourself.

Also, free puppies! Not really, but now that I have your attention, I better see all of y’all strutting your stuff on the international runway. Enjoy your treats (or tricks, if you are into that). Remember, Halloween only happens once a year, so make it count!

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The Not-Shut-Down, During-the-Shutdown, Rundown

Sorry We're open copy

As we approach the two-week mark of the government shutdown, the reality of the situation seems to be setting in. Here at the 4E, we are working hard to provide you with all the information you need to understand what is actually going on. Personally, I did not know what the government shutdown entailed and have been in a constant state of utter confusion.

Since October is a big month for D.C. visitors (especially with parents’ weekend fast-approaching), everyone and their mother will want to go sight-seeing and museum-hopping. So, what are we suppose to do when all of the typical D.C. sights are closed? Do not fear, the 4E is here! Here are the D.C. Sights: Shutdown Edition.

The Spy Museum The Spy Museum is one of the newest (and open-est) museums in D.C. currently. This is because The Spy Museum is privately owned and, therefore, costs money to enter. But trust me, it’s worth it. The Spy Museum is an amazing experience and a great alternative while the Smithsonian is closed.

The Newseum The Newseum is another privately owned D.C. museum with a lot to offer. They have a fantastic exhibit of every Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph and their back stories as well as sections of the Berlin Wall (you can even touch a piece of it) and much much more!

Phillips Collection Located near the Dupont metro station, the Phillips Collection is America’s first museum of modern art. The price is affordable (no more than $12 and children under 18 are free) and the museum offers works from many artists including Vincent van Gogh.

U Street Corridor U Street is a popular commercial neighborhood in north D.C. that provides a fantastic walk-around area for residents and visitors alike. U Street is also the center of D.C.’s music scene. Hungry? Head to Ben’s Chili Bowl, a D.C. landmark and a very popular location for Georgetown students. Also, the African American Civil War Memorial is still open, so go check it out!

Georgetown’s Vietnam Memorial Unless you do not walk through SoReS, you probably have seen the replica of the Vietnam Memorial that Georgetown has erected. Instead of running by it, stop and check it out! Less tourists, easier commute. Thank you shutdown.

Looking to have a little fun with the shutdown? Go down to the monuments and pretend to be one of the tourists (since everyone seems to be ignoring the shutdown perimeters anyway). The Instagram possibilities are limitless. Don’t forget to document your trip with a picture of the government shutdown flyers.

Have fun, Hoyas!

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Go Loco for Local: A Guide to the GU Farmers’ Market

When people think of Wednesdays, they usually think “hump day” or new episodes of their favorite show (Modern Family Wednesdays?) Personally, I think about fresh fruit, Indian food and “people watching” (read as: stalking). One of the best parts about Georgetown in the fall is the weekly farmers market. However, there are some Hoyas that don’t venture to this amazing institution. Maybe they’re scared or maybe they’re just hiding in their Lau 4 cubicles – been there, done that. Do not worry, it is okay, you have time to change your ways! For those willing to give it a try here are my tips to make the most of your farmers market experience:

Perfect Produce The GU Farmers Market offers a bunch of options when it comes to buying produce, but Ashton Farms is my favorite option. They accept credit cards, which is always a plus since no one ever has cash, and they also have a wide variety of fresh West Virginia grown fruits. The workers are also some of the nicest people I have met, be sure to befriend them and get the inside scoop on which apples are the best! Haven’t gotten your paycheck yet? Spent all your money on coffee and bagels? No worries, they offer free samples outside of their stand!

Lunch-tastic The market offers food that is not Leo’s, so take advantage of it! It might be a little pricey (depending on what you get) but trust me it is worth it. One of my favorite lunch places is Indigo Indian. Last year I waited in 40 degree weather for one of their famous indirolls! They make fresh Indian food that is easy to eat on the go or in class! However, make sure you get there at a time when everyone is not trying to get lunch … unless you like lines and waiting, because who am I to stop you.

Bring the money Many of the popular stations do accept major credit cards, but some don’t! Don’t waste your trip just because you aren’t prepared. Also, if you have cash with you it will prevent you from buying everything in sight. Your wallet and future purchases will thank you.

Grab and Go A large majority of the goods at the farmers market are not usable right away, therefore sometimes you need to think ahead. Plan out those weekend dinners and snacks before you go, you will thank me later when you are enjoying your pastries and perfectly ripened fruit.

Fun in the Healy Sun There is a reason why the farmers market takes place during the best times of the year: spring and fall! Instead of running inside with your goodies post-shopping spree, hang out on the lawn. Enjoy the sunshine and do some people watching (this is one of the best places for it). All Georgetown students deserve a break every once and awhile, enjoy it!

I’ll see you at the market, I’ll be the one with the bags on bags on bags. I’m usually pretty strong-willed, but farmers markets are my weakness.

The Georgetown University Farmers Market takes place every Wednesday from 12-5pm on Copley Lawn (you can’t miss it!)

Photo: Georgetown University Farmers Market

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DCTC: Capitol Hill

DCTC Capitol HillWelcome back to the Hilltop, Hoyas! (Is it too late to say that now that it’s fall? Sorry, I’m not sorry.) We 4E-ers know that you have missed the D.C. Travel Companion more than an oreo Wisey’s cookie after a full day of classes. For those of you who are new to Georgetown or to 4E (which is a travesty), DCTC helps Georgetown students navigate and investigate DC affordably. Today we will be exploring Capitol Hill and all it has to offer (other than the Government, of course)!

Getting to the Metro:

The easiest way to get to Capitol Hill is to take the Metro from Rosslyn. If it isn’t Sunday, you can take the GUTS bus directly to the station (it’s free). If you are not on campus, or if it is Sunday, you can take the Circulator Bus to Rosslyn. The bus stops at 33rd and M Street and costs one dollar with exact change (or you can use a SmarTrip card). Another great option, if it is a nice day, is to walk across the Key Bridge to Rosslyn. It’s about a 20 minute walk from the front gates – fresh air, anyone?

Once at the Rosslyn Metro station

Cost $3.00 with a paper fare card and $2.00 with a SmarTrip card. Make sure to check the times and beware of rush hour traffic/ prices.

Route 1 To get to Capitol Hill take the Blue line towards Largo Town Center and get off at the Capitol South stop (estimated travel time is 18 minutes).

Route 2 You can also take the Orange line from Rosslyn to get to Capitol Hill. Make sure to take the train that is heading towards New Carrollton and, once again, get off at the Capitol South stop (estimated travel time is 16 minutes).

Now that you are at Capitol South, it is time to explore! Here are some of the sites that we love and you will too:

We, the Pizza – 305 Pennsylvania Ave. SE – Other than having an awesome name, this place also has some of the best pizza in the area. Be sure to try one of its homemade sodas and enjoy your food at its upstairs seating area! It is open Monday — Saturday, 11 a.m. — 11 p.m. but readers beware: they’re closed on Sundays.

Good Stuff Eatery – 303 Pennsylvania Ave. SE – If you aren’t in the mood for pizza, how about a burger? This is the original location and it is located right next to We, the Pizza. Be sure to try the Black & White Milkshake – it is delicious!

Eastern Market – 225 7th Street SE – Eastern Market is one of the most popular flea markets in D.C. It is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. This market has tons of stores and kiosks with various goods, and it is also surrounded by restaurants that serve fantastic brunches (Monmartre at 327 7th Street SE is a personal favorite). Make sure to either get to the area early or make reservations, because the restaurants can get quite busy when the weather is nice!

Library of Congress – 101 Independence Ave. SE – Sometimes Lau just doesn’t cut it, and we here at 4E understand that. The Library of Congress is a great option for an alternative study location! Library cards are free, but you need to register in person at the Reader Registration Station (Room LM 140 in the Madison Building). When you are there, the staff will verify your information, take your ID photo, ask you for a signature and then you will be ready to go. You can also preregister online (you still have to verify your information in person).

Enjoy Capitol Hill, Hoyas, and make sure to do some people watching!