309pbg

Really enjoyed your trip report ET!!!! And also meeting you in DC. I truly wish we had good public transportation between DC and Baltimore. Seems to not be in any future plans either. I think I heard some report today (I was half listening!) that Baltimore is 8th in the nation for our contribution to air pollution from car emissions. I'll have to google it to get the info. I am not surprised though, if it's true.

easytraveler

111op: Thanks for the link to the Tommasini article!

I must be one of those diehard Wagnerian fans although I don't feel like a diehard Wagnerian fan!

All this "updating" and "modernizing" is really rendering these gorgeous operas bloodless.

The sword is a romantic weapon. Pulling a machine gun out of a tree somehow makes the whole thing absurd and meaningless.

I liked LePage's' "Faust" but still prefer a more classical interpretation. We'll see how "bloodless" he will make the "Ring".

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

yestravel: thanks for reading my report, which tends to be on the heavy side because it was filled with serious topics. I really encourage you to go up to Philadelphia - it tends to get lost between the two megalopolises of NY and DC. Also the "Cezanne" show is wonderful and will end this Sunday.

Isn't Union Station a kick? The first thing i saw there on arrival from Baltimore was the huge buffet table with all that hot, steaming food! Great idea! Now if they would just improve the signs a bit - LOL!

Thanks so much for alerting me to the DC GTG! Had a blast!

309pbg: Hi, there! It was really good to meet you and the other Fodorites in DC!

As for the transportation between Baltimore and DC, one would imagine that, in this day and age, there would be a bullet train going between them instead of the slow boat to China!

Talking about china, since we here on the West Coast get about 1/3 of our pollution from China, Baltimore looked clean and bright to me!

Birdie

Great trip report. I'm sorry I wasn't able to get together with you. Some other time, I hope!

Aduchamp1

It was a pleasure to meet and read your report. I enjoyed reading the deatils of your cultural expeditions. Next time you are in NY, I hope I share some of our city with you.

easytraveler

Hi, Birdie! me, too, sorry we couldn't meet this time! We'll definitely shoot for the next time around!

Aduchamp, what a pleasure to have met you! I'll definitely take you up on your kind offer! There is so much to see in NYC!

TDudette

I need more time to absorb all this! Excellent info.

tchoiniere

Thanks for the trip report. Glad you had a great trip. I am headed to DC in a few weeks and have been debating some of the museums etc. so it will help me out.

easytraveler

Amy: sorry I missed your post for some reason!

Yes, please do go to Buffalo if you are at all interested in late 19th century, early 20th century architecture. However, the winds from Lake Erie are ferocious, tho!

Isn't Philadelphia wonderful?

TDudette: Hi, there! Please don't go crosseyed reading my report! It's intended only for those who are interested in one particular city or subject.

Hope we can sing some drinking songs together!

tchoiniere: if you have not been to DC before, do try the larger museums. The Smithsonian has so much to offer> If you are interested in art, the National Gallery of Art would probably be the first place to go. Enjoy!

TDudette

Hi back, M! No worries about crossed eyes-it's such an interesting report.

Also, tchoiniere the Phillips is a nice private art museum.

travelinjo

This is an amazing report! I'm starting my research for another trip and you have made it much easier. Thank you OP! This forum is the best!

kmbp

Thanks, travelinjo, for bringing this report 'to the top.' I missed it when first posted! I know some of these cities rather well and it's great fun to learn that there is still much to discover.

Next time in Buffalo, I'll find the time to be the tourist--to get to City Hall for a tour (as well as to Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin Martin house on Jewett Parkway).

And thanks, easytraveler, for this excellent report.

easytraveler

Hi, travelinjo, have you gone on your trip yet? If so, did you write a trip report? Would love to have comparative notes from you!

Hi, kmbp, have you gone to Buffalo yet? That City Hall tour is really informative! I'd be interested in your views on the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings in Buffalo.

And thanks to you both for your kind words!