WASHINGTON, D.C. — For a big city, Washington is quiet.

Like New York, it has heavy traffic, busy intersections, lots of foot traffic and countless tour buses.

But hardly any noise.

Traffic moves quietly because almost every vehicle is a hybrid. And because traffic moves, horns don’t beep.

Since there is not a sliver of land left on which to build, there’s no construction noise.

It’s just the occasional siren; the requisite street corner crazy preacher; and young policy wonks chatting quietly as they walk side by side sipping coffee, one from a green and white paper cup and the other from an orange and pink one — a Kumbaya brotherhood of caffeine.

Peaceful, quiet, and reflective … sort of like a wake.

But is Washington really, as some observers claim, a city in mourning?

If so, it’s going to be one hell of a funeral.

On Wednesday morning, the hotels and businesses along the inaugural parade route were hanging flags, bunting and enormous posters of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

The esteemed Blair House, where tradition dictates Trump will be on Thursday to spend his last night as a private citizen, has temporarily set up a gift shop offering inauguration souvenirs.

And then there’s those rowdy Palm Beachers, disembarking from their G5s with only one mission: to show the swamp-dwelling rubes how to have a good time.

> Donald Trump in Palm Beach: Celebration at Mar-a-Lago

So they started right in, at an “intimate” bash Tuesday night honoring inaugural chairman Tom Barrack, one of PEOTUS’ closest friends and bundler extraordinaire, at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium.

The Chairman’s Global Dinner was attended by 200 foreign diplomats and 500 guests of the president- and vice president-elect.

Yes, 700 people is considered an “intimate” number in Washington, and no wonder. This the birthplace of the phrase “You take a million here and a million there, and pretty soon you’re talkin’ real money.”

Dinner was mustard-glazed black cod on vinaigrette-tossed greens, filet mignon with haricot verts and Baked Alaska. Jeepers, what is it with these Republicans and Baked Alaska? It’s everywhere. Like Tiramisu in the ‘80s.

One of the four wines served was “Happy Canyon,” a Bordeaux blend from Barrack’s own family winery in Santa Barbara. Not exactly a Screaming Eagle, but no Night Train either. Lots of cherry and plum notes with a nice crackle. And not a bad buy at $32.

The president-elect flew in for the event, spoke briefly, then headed back to Trump Tower. He’s still in a New York State of Mind.

He was expected back for Wednesday night’s Cabinet Dinner at the Library of Congress.

> DONALD TRUMP IN PALM BEACH: Latest news, photos, videos

Well hello Donald

A video posted by saramingus (@saramingus) on Jan 18, 2017 at 6:46pm PST