This weekend: Your gateway to 30 countries is in D.C.

By JD Rinne
October 3, 2012
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Courtesy Embassy of Korea

This Saturday in Washington, D.C., more than 30 international embassies are hosting an Passport DC Open House.

It's a chance for regular joes to take a peek inside a working embassy. There are more than 175 foreign embassies in the nation's capital. This is the second annual Passport to D.C., put on by Cultural Tourism DC.

It's no surprise that the event is popular—150,000 people attended last year (with some lines extending around the block)—free food, live music, and often a traditional cultural experience are part of the open house at each embassy. Some highlights this year: the Royal Thai Embassy, where there will be traditional dance and music, a sampling of free cuisine, and free Thai massages. The Embassy of Ghana will feature famous Ghanaian drummer Okyerema Asante, and kids can stamp fabrics with Adinkra patterns. The Embassy of Botswana will have woven baskets, art, and jewelry on display, designed and made by local women of Northern Botswana, who are particularly crafty with Mokola palm and locally sourced dyes. See what all the embassies have on offer.

The event is completely free, and there's even free shuttle service. The fun starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.

For more travel blogs, go to alltop.

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