Democracy in Action

Today's travels were undertaken on foot, as we explored the area near the Capitol Building. We arrived there early and were taken by the number of protest groups gathering within the arboretum garden surrounding the grand building. One of the groups comprised Registered Nurses, who were there to gain support for the Governor's final sign-off on a bill to force hospitals to staff wards at the already prescribed nurse/patient staffing ratio.

Others were there to protest about certain workers rights, and others about a draft bill to force children to be vaccinated for measles etc. Some of the protesters were inside the Capitol building itself. It seems that with only two days to go before recess, the Assembly and Senate were getting on with passing bills to go forward to the Governor's desk. Anyway, we signed up for a tour and were shown around this magnificent building. We also got to spend some time in the gallery of the Assembly, watching the representatives voting on particular motions. The tour guide was excellent and we gained a good insight into California's history and how Sacramento became the state capitol.

After the tour we walked down 'N' Street, heading for the Crocker Art Gallery, a combination of the old Crocker mansion house and a new purpose built art gallery. The Crockers made their fortune from the founding of the Union Pacific Railway and amassed an art collection from around the world. The family subsequently bequeathed the house and their treasures for the benefit of the people of Sacramento. Its an interesting building to explore and its contemporary pieces of modern art are interesting!

By late afternoon, we were ready for a Haagen dazs break in the Doco Centre before heading back to the Vagabond Hotel, prior to having dinner. (Yesterday, we went back to 'Sauced up' for dinner and ordered salads. I had the smoked pork salad and I swear it would have fed a family!)
 
No Sirius XM today, but I've selected some music anyway .....The Eagles "Hotel California"!