Things We Take for Granted: The Sidewalks and Streets of Capitol Hill

By Maria Helena Carey

Let me start by saying that I am not out to prove that any one city can be better than another city. Rather, I came to realize something on a recent trip, and I have a forum — this blog and specifically the “Things We Take for Granted” column — in which I can share my thoughts.

I have a love-hate relationship with New York City. My husband loves to take quick trips up north to see a show, and I hate to get off the train at Penn Station. Sure, New York has some redeeming qualities, like the proliferation of pizza places. Oh, how I love pizza. But the sidewalks and streets, the potholes and the broken curbs that take me from one pizza place to the next, they make me long for a walk to my beloved Eastern Market on our brick sidewalks lined with granite curbs, connected with well marked cross walks that get us from point a to point b with rarely a stumble. Sure, our brick sidewalks can have their moments and our streets can and have crumbled in places, but generally our sidewalks and streets are more aesthetically pleasing than the concrete sidewalks and broken roads of New York City.

The New Yorkers reading this will surely say things like the District is younger. And one might even say federal dollars make it all possible. But I feel that we’ve got something good here when it comes down to the basics. And I’m here to tell you that you take them for granted!

So New York City can think she is the best at everything, but I know when I see something good! And with one trip to New York City you’ll agree, the streets and sidewalks of Capitol Hill are pretty great!