Blogs from Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States, North America - page 5

Lundi matin, on se réveille sous un soleil éclatant. On prend un café dans la chambre, quelques cookies et on est prêt à aller visiter la capitale des Etats-Unis. On rejoint le métro qui va nous déposer prêt du Capitole, à l'est du National Mall. Le métro est bondé à cette heure, mais il se vide dès que l'on arrive aux stations qui desservent le centre ville et les différents bâtiments fédéraux. En sortant du métro, on rejoint la bibliothèque du Congrès dans laquelle on entre sans faire la queue, après les contrôles de sécurité que l'on retrouvera dans tous les bâtiments et musées que l'on visitera. C'est la plus grande bibliothèque du monde en nombre d'ouvrages, mais bien sûr seules quelques salles sont ouvertes au public. Le bâtiment est magnifique, un grand escalier en marbre, ... read more

July 29, Saturday Woke up at 2:30a.m. to be ready for the 3 am taxi ride to Heathrow. It was slightly raining. Traffic was of course very light. We arrived in good time. Since the United desk wasn't open yet, I grabbed a chair at a closed bar in the same area. Some people were asleep in the booths. After about an hour of me working on my blogs, the United desk opened. I asked about getting my EU tax money back and was directed to the opposite site of where I was. I stood in line for about 30 minutes to get about $25 back into my credit card account. I then made my way back to check my luggage. I then headed to the United First Club lounge for some free snacks. I had ... read more

Returning to Washington after a two year absence we have noticed a significant increase in police presence, particularly around the White House and Capital Building. Sirens can be heard at all times during the day with flashing lights spending through the traffic in a hurry to be elsewhere. No Marine One or presidential cavalcade for us this year, although I doubt I would be as excited about a possible glimpse of Trump as I was Obama. Strolling along Pennsylvania Avenue on one afternoon though there was a sudden cacophony of sirens. Several unmarked suburbans shot past with flashing blues followed by two small coaches, completely blacked out. Behind these were 2 large black SUVs with the rear windows down, heavy set guys leaning out prominently displaying large guns and generally succeeding in looking very menacing!Anyone who ... read more

Hillary, two of her friends, and I went to Washington DC to join in the Women's March. It was a wonderful experience!! 500,000 of our 'friends' participated with NO violence. There were numerous speakers and far too many people to actually 'march' to the White House but we did anyway. I was very intrigued by the originality and wit of some of the signs, especially the home-made ones. I've been trying to figure out where to 'save' them and it finally struck me that this is the place, especially since I can add comments. So that's what I'll work on over the next few days.... read more

I was feeling very hungover and it made the top 3 of hangovers for the holiday so far; everyone else felt the same way and some food was going to be in order. Unfortunately the hotel did not provide a complimentary breakfast so we decided to head to the closes Mcdonalds. Once we had eaten we went for a tour around Washington to take in the major the sites of the city. Fist up was the White House, it was so surreal to see the building up close especially after seeing on the TV so often; it is much more impressive up close. Near to the White House there was a guy who was trying to claim that Hilary Clinton never existed which was absolutely ridiculous! The weather was once again excellent as it had been ... read more