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After continental breakfast buffet at our hotel met Barry Lee in the lobby just after 9.30 for the next stage of our sightseeing visit of Washington. Around the corner from the hotel was a fresh produce market held on Sundays - never seen so many different varieties of apples; always interesting to check out local fruit and veggies.
Very impressive architecture in this area, quite opulent with many properties being embassies. Stopped for coffee at the Renaissance Hotel and planned our itinerary for next two days. Ducked into the Whole Foods supermarket - sensational array of fresh and prepared foods. Looked especially appetising! Then it was through the George Washington University area of Foggy Bottom, past Barry's offices and the Department of State to revisit the Albert Einstein Monument in the daylight. Similarly, after passing the park area where guys were playing what looked like a touch version of gridiron, we were back to the Lincoln Memorial. Certainly still majestic on such a glorious sunny day. Brilliant to take in the totally different aura of the Washington Monument and the Korean Memorial - awesome! The detail in the sculptures of the soldiers is mind blowing. Then on to the two arcs roll calling pillars of the states and territories that fought across two oceans in the World War II Memorial. All aspects of the war incorporated - just massive! Views just sensational. Continued along mall to start of Smithsonian - didn't realise there were 19 of them!! Spent some time, including lunch in the cafe, at the American History Museum. Could have spent the entire day there!! So much.....loved the display of the First Ladies' gowns, shoes and bags....and the White House crockery and cutlery! Enjoyed the Presidency section - realise how little I know about American History - but glad we spotted Abraham Lincoln's top hat. The next stage of our tour took us across the mall and the tidal basin to three more memorials - all so different. The Jefferson (imposing and statuesque like Lincoln), the Franklin D. Roosevelt (still reflective but incorporating boulders and waterfalls) and the Martin Luther King Jr (brilliantly depicting the man emerging from the mountain). By this time we had met up with Caroline, a friend of Barry's who joined us for the walk along the Potomac to the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. After a couple of drinks upstairs we enjoyed the fabulous views over the Potomac and the city as the influx of concert goers dressed to the nines filtered in. Watched and listened to part of a free concert on the Millennium Stage - a young group of Brooklyn guys with a bit of an alternate acoustic performance. By now the grey blustery storm clouds had come over and spots or rain so a brisk walk through to Georgetown (via Watergate) - evidently a trendy and popular riverside cafe and restaurant District. Barry directed us to "Bangkok Thai" for terrific dumplings, wine and more. Very pleasant . Then it was farewell to Caroline and jumped in a cab as raining fairly heavily, for trip back. Got a lesson from Barry on how to work the Metro ticket machines then it was home to bed. Big day!
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