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Washington Odyssey
by Roberta Jerram
‘Twas a morning in May when they met at Heathrow
The Washington Winners were ready to go
With cases all packed and passports in date
They all met on time, not one person late
“Names all spelt right” Tasha sighed with a grin
And the group of 18 were all smoothly checked in
Then one of the leaders (allegedly ‘shifty’)
Got frisked by security ever so swiftly
Soon came the ‘all clear’ which was quite a relief
So they boarded the plane and sought out their seats
Yet in cabin half-full they could sit where they liked
To pop on their headphones for movies in-flight
On approach into Washington trees were quite green
And on landing they rode in a strange submarine!
With all luggage retrieved and feeling serene
They boarded the shuttle to the Hilton McLean
They arrived, warmly greeted by Jane, tea and cakes
And wonderful strawberries in chocolate on plates
Then off to their rooms they soon settled in
For commencement of marvellous week to begin
The sun on the roof of the free hotel shuttle
Enticed wide-eyed leaders to Tysons to scuttle
In orderly lines they climbed into their places
And dreamed how they’d fill lots more roomy suitcases
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
It could well have been their own special St Nick.
With black belts in shopping, big spenders they came,
He whistled and shouted and called them by name:
“Now Sarah! Now Tracey!
Now, Jemma and Shelley!
On Debbie! Samantha!
On Helen and Lesley!
Tysons 1, Tysons 2!
To the top of the mall!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they reached Abercrombie, their glee filled the sky
Up and down elevators, Bloomingdales and Macys,
Paper bags of new clothes filled imaginary cases.
And then, in a twinkling their dollars were pinched
And they pranced and they danced for the bargains they clinched.
Sightseeing was swift, done by trolley or bus
The White House, the Monument, Abe Lincoln a must
Then off into Georgetown the trolley went on
And to mark Cathy’s birthday, they burst into song
Ben and Jerry’s for lunch, then the metro they braved
And they chittered and chattered ‘bout money they’d saved
The Cheesecake Factory, an elegant treat
With cocktails and carry outs - so MUCH to eat!
An hilarious evening with taxis ensued
Whilst they ventured to town for Jazz and more booze
Only to find themselves crawl bar to bar
For one drink in a café then head back by car
The jazz was just fine in the bar whence they came
And as some girls retired others drinking regained
Thursday night with Belinda in hotel they dined
All dressed in their finery, seat swaps inclined
With wit and such humour, she talked really fast
Weaved tales of potential for the business they’d grasped
Then from Sanborn and Kersey their minds ran and ran
More rapid than eagles, big visions began
Their heads filled with wonder how business will grow
And on Saturday night they all stole the show!
“Ain’t no mountain high enough,
Ain’t no valley low enough,
Ain’t no river wide enough,
To keep me from you…”
The long pretty dresses, the men looked so neat
They found wonderful gifts when they took to their seats
The music delightful, the dining so fine
More dancing and prancing, they had a grand time
Then power hour Sunday, their attitudes fed
And plenty of ‘drawings’, but no one won bread
They met others in business, made friends by the score
And set goals for next year to see them some more
That evening en masse they were all swept away
As a group for a meal – well, what can I say?
Tom was Terrific, there were stars, there were stripes,
Famous Dave’s barbecue feast, what a night!
More sights and more shopping on Monday packed in,
Tracey bought four more cases and still they drank gin!
But time soon came upon them to say their goodbyes
And back to the airport they all had to fly.
At Dulles temptation got them all one last time
So in Starbucks and Toy Stores they used up their last dime
Then en route to the gate found more stores and a mall
So charge away, charge away, charge away all!
They transferred to their plane and relaxed into dreams
The aeroplane groaned like nothing you’ve seen
Despite all their shopping it got airborne, then cheered
And everyone vowed they’d all come back next year!