This morning we continued our tour of Washington by taking the metro from Foggy Bottom to Capitol South, the plan being to spend the morning making our way along the National Mall towards the Washington Monument. Needless to say we got distracted on the way and our morning plan ended up taking all day!
Our first unscheduled visit was to the Library of Congress. It looked amazing from the outside so we popped in only to find that it was even more amazing inside! It was stunningly beautiful with marble staircases, statues, and little homilies about learning painted high on the walls. We went up to the gallery of the Reading Room which looked like the kind of place where I would like to spend many happy hours. We also saw the Jefferson library. In 1814 the naughty British burned down the Capitol and also the 3,000-volume Library of Congress before going over to the White House, eating dinner (which the President and his wife had abandoned as they fled), and then burning that down too. The Americans were very cross about this and, from the number of times it was referred to during our visits today, they still haven't got over it! Thomas Jefferson offered to sell Congress his personal library which was actually about three times the size of what they had before. Unfortunately a lot of it got burned in another fire - accidental this time! For me, the highlight of the Library of Congress was an exhibition of first editions of famous American books which have had an impact on culture over the last hundred years; it was wonderful.
We then noticed signs to a tunnel that would take us under the road to the Capitol Building. We were a bit peckish so went for a very early lunch in the very smart cafeteria there, before signing up for a tour. It was really interesting and our tour guide, Karen, told us lots of stories about the government and its history.
For example, under the Capitol there is an empty tomb which was intended for George Washington. However some of his family quite rightly insisted that according to his will he wanted to be buried at his family estate in Virginia, and so the tomb lies empty because the government doesn't want to put anyone else there. We visited the Rotunda which was very impressive with high walls curving to the dome above. The fresco at the top of the dome is spectacular, also the frieze of American history around the wall. Some American presidents and other well known elected officials have lain in state here, on the catafalque (a decorated wooden frame) originally made for Abraham Lincoln. Three civilians have lain in honour here; two Capitol policemen who were killed on duty in 1998 and Rosa Parks.
Onwards we went along the National Mall, enjoying the views. However we didn't get very far before we saw the National Air and Space Museum. We only intended an initial brief visit to enquire about transport to the Dulles Air and Space Museum which is out at that airport, but of course once we went in we ended up staying until chucking out time at 5.30 pm! I have seldom seen James so excited, and moved, as when we arrived, and he was soon completely absorbed in all the exhibits. There was loads to see; it was crammed with lots of different aeroplanes such as the original Wright Flyer 1903, an X15 and a U2. The strange thing was that I found it really interesting too; the information boards were very informative and it was very accessible.
We emerged back into the sunshine and strolled down nearly to the National Monument before turning off towards the White House to see and photograph the traditional view of it. James found it very amusing that all the Secret Service police wear badges that actually say "Secret Service" - every time he saw one he would say "So who do you work for? Shhhh I can't tell you!"
From there we walked up Philadelphia Avenue towards our hotel, stopping on the way for dinner at the "Founding Farmers" restaurant which Heather and Ewan had recommended to us after their visit to Washington in June. We had to wait quite a while for a table because it was very busy (a good sign!), but we were in a relaxed holiday mood so we were happy to sit at the bar chatting over our day. Dinner was tasty American fare - the portions were massive - and the service was excellent once we finally got a table. When we arrived back at our hotel, tired but happy, we switched on the television for the first time this holiday, in order to watch the final Trump vs. Clinton debate. We haven't watched the other two, but I wanted to see this one because, being in America, there are election posters everywhere and the election feels very imminent. The debate was more interesting than I thought it would be. I have said on my blog before that I am not confident in my political views, however even I could see that Donald Trump was just mud slinging - he seemed completely out of his depth. Interesting times ahead!
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