28-09-2011
Ready for our visit to the Capitol by carrying nothing with us other than a camera. It is very impressive inside with the gleaming marble, massive paintings and statues and obviously the intense security.
Took a guided tour through the place which started with a short movie and then a walk along with a guide. Our guide had a great sense of humor and had us laughing most of the way through. After seeing one of the surly looking guides that he asked us to make room for to pass, I was glad we got him. He showed us the place the hand is said to have been placed in the Lost Symbol (a Dan Brown novel), pointing to the huge painting above. A lot of school tours take place here and guess what the children do- stick their chewing gum under the paintings!
After our tour we went to the Lower house, which was a little boring as their was nothing happening and nobody to tell us any juicy bits. Also saw the plaque in memory of United 93.
Went through the tunnel that connects the Capitol to the library. It is the prettiest library I have visited. The library of Congress containing the Gutenberg Bible, Thomas Jefferson's collection of books and so so much more.
Next stop was the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. A museum that was very different to the ones we had visited in Europe. It had been highly recommended to us and it lived up to it's reputation. We touched the moon, literally. Well at least a piece of moon rock. Saw the Apollos that went to the moon. The airplanes that did the first flight around the world, one at one go and the other with numerous stops. The first hot air balloon that went around the world. The section on the Wright brothers. And so so much more. An elderly man guided us through the museum, he was very knowledgable but was sweating quite profusely, I was really worried that he was having a heart attack.
Decided to have a proper lunch stop today, took the metro to Grand central.Had a good meal, a quick peek into the shops before heading to Arlington cemetery.
Arlington cemetery, the place was initially built in memory of George Washington by his step son. During the civil war it became a pit stop for soldiers and eventually turned into a cemetery for those who died serving/ had served the country. The Kennedy's are buried here along with numerous soldiers. We were present at the change of Guard at the tomb of the Unknown soldier. The first body to be placed there was during the World Wars , followed by another from the Korean war and the Vietnam war. The body from the Vietnam war was removed and identified by DNA, no more unknown soldiers now.
Went for dinner to a bustling pub, I am still shocked at the massive servings here. The appetizers are bigger than the mains in France.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
No comments:
Post a Comment