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Just got home from a 3 day trip to the nation's very lovely capital.
We caught possibly the world's dodgiest bus from Chinatown NY to Chinatown DC. This is apparently quite a well known service, they run busses to Boston, Philly etc. And they are cheap at least 1/2 of what proper places charge. However, they run on a bit of a loose schedule which consists of you arriving in Chinatown at least 1/2 an hour before the scheduled departure time, having the driver do a couple of blockies until about 1/2 and hour after you were supposed to leave and then departing.
The bus smelt horrible, the clientele was, well, diverse to say the least. The whole way from NY to DC were subjected to a horrible selection of Chinese pop music. Think that cat whaling chinese singing put to a pop base. Yep, enormously irritating.
But we arrived in one piece about an hour later than we expected but at a good time anyway. Checked into the Hotel Harrington which was a cheap hotel in a perfect location.
We walked up Pennsylvania Ave to the Whitehouse then along the mall taking it the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial, Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial.
Photos just cannot do these buildings justice. They are huge. The Americans really know how to memorialize their departed. The Korean War Memorial in particular is very haunting. Life size bronze statues walking through the jungle. It is very moving.
That night just happened to be the State of the Union address. So we decided to head out to the Hawk & Dove. A very famous political pub near the capitol. And on the way there who should drive past - yep, the President. We were sitting at an intersection of like 7th and Constitution when a line of police motorbikes, black SUVs and the presidential limo went roaring past. The Hawk & Dove was great, full of political pundits. We heard some great commentary from the locals.
The next day was a big one for walking (which is the general theme of most of my days out I think!). Walked up Pennsylvania to the Capitol Building, went on a tour. The tour was a little disappointing, because of all the security basically the tour consisted of the lobby and the gift shop! Although we could wander into the old Supreme Court room which sits in the basement of the building. Was the place were they heard the Dred Scott Case so that was pretty cool.
After that wandered up to the Supreme Court building which was huge. Then I decided to go to the American Museum which supposedly has the original ruby slippers and a collection of first lady's dresses. Alas, after the 40 minute walk to get there, it was closed. So, I was at a bit of a loss. Did another lap of the Smithsonian end of the Mall with a visit to the Grant memorial, past the National Archives, J Edgar Hoover building etc. Then I kind of collapsed into a coffee shop to read and write some postcards.
That night we went out for dinner to a very typical Washington grille were we sat in a dimly lit leather booth and had a great steak. Perfect.
The next day visited Arlington Cemetery and then walked along the Potomac river to check out the Watergate and the Kennedy Centre. The Watergate is undergoing some much needed renovation.
Bit sad today because unfortunately my friend Cec is heading off on the rest of her adventure overseas. It has been so great to have Cec here when I arrived. Great to see a friendly face and someone to have some adventures with. Cec - all the best for the rest of your travels.
Still no luck with the job hunting. But the guy who lives above me told me not to give up that winter is slow for job hunting in New York and to hang in there. That was good to hear!
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