April is a busy month for DC with the cherry blossom festival and the IMF-World Bank spring meeting. The cherry blossoms are one of the most beautiful happenings in DC and ISH is in the perfect location to enjoy them! My fellow housemates and I usually take a nice walk along side 19th Street or 18th Street, pass the White house and reach the tidal basin. On weekdays, we walk so fast for work or study, and never really have the leisure to enjoy the views on the street. The beauty of DC in spring is beyond words. The picturesque streets and architecture mixed with the cultural vibes make downtown Washington the most attractive place. From far way, we saw the fluffy pink cherry trees around the National Mall and Tidal Basin. It is a symbolic flower of the spring, a time of renewal, and the fleeting nature of life.
In addition, the IMF-World Bank also held its annual Spring Meetings in April here in DC. Government officials, press, NGOs, academics from all around the world descended upon Washington to join the meetings. Many important messages about global economic development were conveyed through the meetings. I attended several interesting seminars and forums about how technology and innovation is changing the future of global economic development. Whether technology and innovation can help the least developed countries skip the industrialization remains unknown, but our generation is in the position to make the change. Spring is an incredible time to be here in Washington and enjoy all it has to offer with my fellow ISH housemates!
