11 Countries in 4 Hours - Flip Flop Caravan

DC has no shortage of unique cultural events, but every once in a while the city outdoes itself.Saturday was one such occasion as Cultural Tourism DC hosted Passport DC. The day-long event featured over 40 global embassies opening their doors and culture to the public.

The open houses varied from formal tours to dance demonstrations and food/drink tasting to full on parties!

Embassy of Serbia

Passport DC offered a rare view into embassies that most people have no reason or opportunity to see. And since embassies are considered soveregin territories, each open house was technically a trip abroad.

Embassy of Kazakhstan

It was a great opportunity to promote tourism and educate the public about countries around the world!

I managed to hop around to 11 embassies:

Benin, Botswana, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Guinea, Kazakhstan,

Peru, Rwanda, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago

Drumroll please….here are my self-created Embassy Awards.

Embassy that Made Me Want to Buy a Plane Ticket: Botswana
As one of only a handful of democratic African nations, Botswana also offers its citizens free education and health care and is one of the most stable countries on the continent. Add to that a vibrant culture, extensive game reserves and incredibly hospitable people and Botswana just fast-tracked itself to the top of my list of places to visit.

Not to mention Ambassador Tebelelo Seretse is one of the sweetest ladies around!

Best Dance Party: Benin
Walking out onto the embassy’s back patio, it became clear that dancing was a requirement of experiencing Benin.

Best Offbeat Sustenance: Tie – Botswana and Guinea

Grub worms from Botswana and banana/ginger water from Guinea

Best Food: Sri Lanka

Kottu Rotti

Most Welcoming Embassy: Guinea
From being personally greeted at the door, ushered through the embassy, handed a plate of food and a drink and escorted to the back patio for dancing, every person I met was warm and eager to make me feel at home.

Best Cultural Performers: Trinidad & Tobago
Hearing the music from over a block away, I knew that Trinidad & Tobago would be an exciting embassy. There was a line out the door but the energetic dancing found inside was well worth the wait.