Potomac, Squirrels and Drinking Fountains

I used to associate all of USA with the foreign policy of its government and the present coterie in power. It is only on coming here that I realise there is so much more.

Walking between the Potomac and the C&O Canal early in the morning, one can see some of the most breathtaking scenery. The Potomac gushes down the Piedmont, foaming and raging at places, while the C&O flows at a more sedate pace, still as a pond at places, controlled by the various locks that were used for navigation of barges. It is difficult to believe that they are separated only by a few meters or that the canal, in that area, flows thro' the bed originally cut and occupied by the river itself during the last ice age. The vast virgin (hopefully) woods around these two channels are extremely beautiful, comparable even, to some of the lower reaches of the Himalayas.

Walking around the university campus is a very pleasurable experience. I have never seen squirrels so big or so alert and mischievous. A friend tells me that even pigeons here are very bold, that in New York, you would have to come close to stepping on one for it to merely hop away!

So far, most people here have been friendly as well. They are mostly polite and happy to help out. My only grouse is that their accent is very American (Texan), rather grating on the ears.

Am I actually beginning to like this godforsaken country? Oh the horror!!! :)

On a different note, the drinking fountains here are absolutely fascinating. Water jets out of a spout and people bend down to drink from it. Quite a waste of water tho'; since they use so much paper here, I wonder why they don't provide paper cups.