1/20/24
When I arrived at the Russian Embassy, there were five Secret Service cars with flashing lights in front of it, and a whole lot of Secret Service agents milling around. Having no common sense at all, I just walked right past them to take this photo. And when one asked suspiciously, “May I help you?” I responded cheerfully, “I just need to take a picture of the flag.” (Experience has taught me that a brief explanation, even if it makes no sense, typically causes less suspicion than a lengthy and complicated one.) I did decide it was the better part of valor to wait until I got away from there to upload, though.
