Puck Tour: Capital One Arena
FINAL SCORE: Washington 6 - LA 4
February 11, 2019
I didn’t know what to expect when I headed to DC. First of all, let me tell you a little backstory on the subject. Two years ago, when I was heading home from New Jersey (driving) to Florida, I was sleeping in the passenger seat while my friend drove. We passed the White House and the Monument, it was lit up and so bright - I woke up, teared up a little and was like “wow, how did we already drive this far?! It’s BEAUTIFUL!” I thought DC was in Washington state. And I was in honors history growing up. Go figure.
When I landed and got to the airport, I took a taxi. They asked “are you going to Virginia, Baltimore or DC?” I was so confused- but, Reagan International is actually in Arlington, Virginia. Who knew. So I took the 40 dollar cab and arrived at my hostel. The traffic here is absolutely insane - plan ahead.
I headed to the game early, because of traffic, and it seemed like a great area. Bars, places to eat, the arena is in the center of the little city center. Though, it was not the best area at all. I was walking down the street and a little kid, about 10 years old, was riding a motor scooter and crashed into the curb. Startled, I turned around to see what happened. He yelled at me “FUCK YOU LOOKIN AT, BITCH?” So, yeah, a 10 year old made me pick up the pace. I ended up at Hooters.
I was the only chick in the building. I wanted wings, and used to work at Hooters, love the place. Sit down, have a drink, and order some food. I’m wearing a tank top under my jacket, because I always buy a t-shirt at the game to rock for the home team. I take off my jacket, and I see the guys at the end of the bar peep my tattoos. They looked surprised.
Next thing you know, they’re telling me to come over and sit with them. We do some shots, they’re really nice guys. They told me as soon as they saw my tattoos, they thought I was an MMA fighter or something - “we would never fuck with you.” Grown men telling me I looked like an MMA fighter. I took it as a good thing and it made me feel better about being afraid of a little kid prior.
I head to the game, the entrance was very confusing. So I snuck in with a group I started walking along with, in a “VIP” entry - he flashed his membership card and we all got free food vouchers. I gave mine to him because he did me a favor. Headed to the souvie shop, grabbed an Ovechkin shirt and headed down to my seat. Glass, of course.
The security guard was awesome. Brooksy, the guy working the penalty box, saw me trying to get a puck during the first period. I walk up to grab some food, come back down and the security guard has a puck in his hand and tells me “Broosky said to give this to you.” It was awesome.
I met these two guys sitting next to me and it was his buddy’s birthday. They had VIP access to the press conference after the game. Sam, was his name, snuck me into it without a wristband. He told the lady I “lost it” and she goes - “she did not lose that, you know how hard it is to get those things off? Just go enjoy the damn press conference.”
We went out to a couple bars after and shut them down. Headed back to my hostel and slept like a baby. DC would have been my favorite city if it wasn’t drizzling the entire time.
Recommended things to do in DC:
The hostel I stayed at was High Road hostel. Some people don’t realize that there are hostels in the US- they think it’s a European thing. But, let me tell you, they are great and they are super cheap. On these trips, I just need a place to lay my head. I got a $25 bed with three girl roomies - a “four-girl bed dorm,” and I was the only one in it. Nobody else showed up. So I had my own private bathroom, my own bed and I brought a little lock to lock my stuff in cubbies they provided. In the morning, they have free breakfast and coffee in the kitchen lounge. Before my flight, I went to Mellow Mushroom and had some pizza. I got to the airport super early, because again, the traffic is the wooooooorst. I would have loved to go see the Monument or the White House, but, like I said, it was raining and gross outside - and COLD. I’ll have to go back.
MVP of the game:
I should probably start taking notes during the game.
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