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Published: January 21st 2011
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Despite being shattered from the previous day's events and the jet lag, it was an early start, as we headed for the Capital for the day.
Todd gave us a brief tour as we headed through the heart of the city to the Washington Monument, where we parked up for the day.
At first we all headed across the road towards the park where the Monument is situated, but as we all entered the park, Tanya and I hung back to get our bearings on the map. When we looked up, the rest of the group were already far away, so Tanya and I decided to head around together. Instead of head to the Monument and queue for tickets for later, we headed to another landmark first - 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I was surprised to discover it was in amongst all the buildings and the grounds were actually smaller than I thought. I always imagined it was quite open, but I guess 10 Downing Street is similar.
Anyway, as we looked on from the South, we were hoping Obama would make an appearance. When we worked at that the 3 snipers on the White House roof were not snipers but
Secret Service, the hope that Barack Obama was present grew. A few minutes later, we're pretty sure the Big Man himself made an appearance out in the grounds. The fact that Secret Service agents in police uniform ushered us off the street we were on straightaway confirmed this.
Quite satisfied we just saw the President, Tanya and I headed to the Old Post Office Tower (OPOT) for a panoramic view of the entire city, including the Washington Monument. Todd had said that this was a better view as it included the Monument. And we didn't have the queue for ages, or get tickets now and come back later, and still queue for some time.
We then headed back to the Capitol building and got even closer this time, as well as helping a family from Ohio by taking their pictures (there were 4 of them and each member had one letter of Ohio to show off!)
We headed back down The Mall towards the Smithsonian Castle before finding lunch at an out of the restaurant near the OPOT, where the rain decided to fall, and stop, whilst we were inside.
The National Archives were next, and I
feel so honoured to have seen the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights - the 3 most important documents in US history! It was really awe inspiring to see the very documents in which a whole nation was born.
Afterwards we headed back to the van and meet up with the others and discuss how our days went, before heading to Arlington Cemetery. This was another awe inspiring event. Walking past the sea of white graves and crosses, up to where JFK, and his brothers, wife, and children's were also laid to rest. Just staring at that eternal flame, I thought about how tragic that family was.
We climbed to the top of the hill, where we were just in time to witness the next 'Changing of the Guard' at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I really wish I had recorded this, it ran like clockwork. The soldier's movements all seemed like clockwork. It brought more than one shiver to my spine just watching it. These guys never stop guarding the tomb, obviously taking it in shifts to do so. Truly amazing!
And still the day was not over. We headed to Georgetown
to a Chicago themed pizza place. Todd mentioned that this place did the best deep pan pizzas outside of Chicago, and that we wouldn't be able to eat more than 3 slices. A challenge I duly accepted and completed - 5 1/2 slices in all! My word, those pizzas were damn good! We also took in Game 1 of the NBA Finals games between LA Lakers and Boston Celtics.
After watching how the ATMs in America work and commenting that Todd paying the vast cash we paid out earlier into one was like a drugs deal going down! Not a comment we should actually say on the corner of a back street. Especially if Obama's favourite burger joint was just across the street!
Finally we headed back to camp, where we all crashed out soon after again. Another early start tomorrow. This already seemed like a fantastic trip and couldn't wait for Day 2.
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