We walked to the Washington Monument and on to the White House, and then visited the Museum of American History... a fabulous collection of artefacts as diverse as "Dorothy's red slippers" and a video archive of the Vietnam War!
Taking advantage of the day, we rode the Metro to Arlington Cemetery, the Pentagon, and then back to base. Washington is compact, spotless and very tourist-centric, boasting a host of museums, including those dedicated to 'Spying' and 'Criminal Justice and Punishment'! (At one point we spotted a guy 'on duty' wearing navy blue battle dress.....across his back was emblazoned Secret Service'!!)
Nice pics, and the Arlington National Cemetery is hugely moving. But the monument that had the most impact on me was the Vietnam Women's (Nurses) Memorial. I found the bronze of the four women and the dying GI so powerful that I had to walk away, and then go back later to take it all in. The Museum of American History is a blast, and I love the cars and full size steam locomotives in the basement. I stayed in Fairfax VA which is said to be home to lots of secret service agents - spooks. I told this to an American guy who recoiled in horror. 'You can't say that ... ' he said. And then went on to explain that Americans don't use the word because it's been used in the past as a derogatory term for people of colour. So mind your language.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you are having a fabulous time, i want to see more pics of you two though. I like this blog, not only do i get to see what your'e up to, you learn a little too!! By the way i love the fact that the secret service now adverstise who they are, its a genius move, who'd ever suspect them now:-)
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