Long Distance: Kate deGravelles

HERE: LSU Law student

THERE: Federal Relations Counsel, American Association for Justice in Washington, D.C.

Why did you leave?

A couple of weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit, I had just taken the Louisiana Bar exam and decided I wanted to try my hand in politics and work on Capitol Hill, instead of practicing law. My first job was as an unpaid intern for Congressman Charlie Melancon’s office. My first day I was asked to make coffee. I distinctly remember the coffee coming out very badly and not being asked to make it the next day. Some might say that was all part of my plan.

What do you miss?

Boiled crawfish, sno-balls, boudin and po-boys. I have a hard time understanding why these menu items aren’t sold everywhere. If someone in D.C. doesn’t open up a sno-ball stand on the National Mall, I might just have to quit my day job and make this happen.

What don’t you miss?

Well, D.C. traffic is nothing compared to the Baton Rouge rush hour traffic on College Drive and Perkins Road. As far as the heat and humidity go, I thankfully don’t have nearly as many bad hair days here in D.C. I’m very grateful for that.

What does D.C. have that you love that Baton Rouge lacks?

D.C. is a walking city. I live in the Dupont Circle area, and everything is within walking distance. Great ethnic restaurants, book stores, bars and shopping. I love being able to walk wherever I go.

How would you compare the political atmospheres of B.R. and D.C.?

D.C. is one of the most politically charged cities I have ever been to. Politics are discussed everywhere, whether you like it or not. Everyone here has a political opinion— from your taxi cab drivers, to people sitting next to you at the bar during happy hours, to the stranger on the Metro. Love it or leave it—it’s everywhere you go.

Do you ride the Metro?

Every day to work. I love being able to get on and not have to worry with the stress of driving in rush hour traffic. It’s great to sit back and listen to music, read or just people watch. The only days I really miss driving to work is when it snows or rains. I’ve been living in D.C. for five years, and I still don’t do snow very well.