D.C. has been such an adventure! It has been so awesome catching up with Corena Howe. There isn't much more I could ask for in a friend. She is straightforward, insightful, loving, loyal, incredibly funny and kind enough to show me the D.C. area. I hope I can show her an equally awesome time when she comes to visit me in Paris over Thanksgiving. We stayed up late, got up early, learned a ton, and explored even more.
Corena lives in Great Falls, Virgina which is about 40 minutes outside of D.C. The Riverbend Park, adjacent to the Great Falls park is right behind her house. The historic Potomac river flows behind her house. The falls here are very beautiful and I am sad to be leaving a country that speaks English!
Virgina license plate.
On Saturday, we decided to drive into DC and not use the Metro. This worked great for just exploring the mall. However, this later proved to be a very bad idea because when we were hungry and wanted to find some place to eat, we discovered that there is no such thing as parking in DC. But hey taking the scenic route, getting lost, and seeing even more of DC worked out to be super fun anyway.
This clock was downtown. I have no idea what the building is but the clock reminds me of the Big Ben Tower in London.
The evolution of humans...
Bones...
There was a really interesting exhibit at the Natural Museum of Natural History documenting the evolution of humans over millions of years. The exhibition showed changes in our skull size as well as changes in the bone structure. For example, over time our skulls got bigger and our bones got leaner and thinner. Supposedly we used to be really short and stocky with really thick bones. The short stocky structure was adapted for cold climates and allowed us to stay warm.
TREX is about to attack.
The Apatosaurus, more commonly known as the Long Neck dinosaur. It's really interesting how their spine had little bones sticking up like knives. It was interesting because these bones don't necessarily serve as a structural element, but rather as a protective element... i.e. if a bigger dinosaur bites into them, those spiky bones up top stop the predator from taking a chunk out of their vital organs. Location: Natural Museum of Natural History.
A kind of dinosaur that was toothless, except for the enameless chompers in the back of the mouth. I felt like such a kid staring up at these huge massive creatures... and I was very glad that they were not alive. Location: Natural Museum of Natural History.
Free concert just walking down the street.
Big important building. This is how you know you've taken too many pictures, when you can't remember what you took a picture of and you only took that picture less than 72 hours ago...
Awesome old traffic sign at American History Museum.
The American War section at the American History Museum. American History Museum was amazzzing, and since there was so much information, I hardly got past 1781, when Britain surrendered and the USA won the American Revolutionary.
Dramatic painting by Paul Revere of the Boston Massacre.
Boston Massacre. Location: American History Museum.
Boston Tea Party. Location: American History Museum.
The Battle of Lexington and Concord, Britain declares war on USA in 1775, the start of the American Revolutionary War. Location: American History Museum.
French and Indian War. Location: American History Museum.
Text explaining why armies fought side by side and fought straight on (because the muskets were such highly inaccurate weapons). Location: American History Museum.
View of the Capitol building from the Washington Mall.
Corena and I in front of the Capitol building!
Me in front of the Capitol.
Horse statue.
Corena in front of the Capitol.
Capitol building.
Sunset on the Washington monument from the Capitol.
Corena in front of the Capitol building.
Corena in front of the Capitol building.
Corena in front of the Capitol building.
Corena in front of the Capitol building.
Corena and I watching the sunset on the Washington monument, sitting on the lip of the fountain at the Capitol building.
Library of Congress close-up.
Library of Congress.
Supreme Court.
Me in front of the Supreme Court.
Washington DC freeway at night.
Cousin It.
The Old Post Office.
So Corena and I were walking down the street. And she told me, "Whatever you do, keep looking to the right. Keep walking but keep looking to the right, you don't want to miss a thing!" So I was totally looking to the right. To my right were these amazing statues, and I got really into it. Above is Thomas Jefferson and the original signers of the constitution(?).
And wow, the statues to my right were impressive. Above is Yankee Doodle (?).
And then finally, she allowed me to look to my left! What did I see? A full on frontal view of the White House. It was Sunday morning. Possible Obama was still sleeping enjoying a lazy Sunday morning?? It's possible that for a few brief moments I was in the same geographic vicinity as the President of the United States. However, Corena on the other hand argues that the president never sleeps in and that he is a very busy important man and that he is always up by 10 AM. When we were here it was just before noon. I say that even the President is allowed to be lazy every once in awhile because even he is human. What do you think?? Also, pictured above is me in front of the Secret Service guards!!
Secret service officers sans moi.
Peace vigil in front of the white house denouncing the use of nuclear weapons. The vigil has been maintained 24/7 for a really long time.
Waiting on the D.C. metro.
D.C. metro underground. It's very efficient! I wonder if it was designed after London public transportation? That is something I didn't research...
Tourist truck.
Washington Memorial.
Washington Memorial <3 onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYHtbIaAQuURhrBiUoVTeUigP6vCms6zWDhS-yQUKpU7GDxIO-Bmf4mHpd9lsjrrdJnFCeN1XtZUGOqj49nzjzQGAl-5rI65stqjGVccymozLbQhHkfzdmZrB12V4y3FCYeIUiIVbEW9x/s1600/SANY0295.JPG">
I came to Washington DC with the goal of getting a really good American flag in the wind picture. Mission accomplished!
Capitol building, gorgeous view.
Lincoln Memorial, beautiful view.
Washington Monument. It stands 555 FT tall. It is the tallest stone structure in the world as well as the tallest building in all of DC. It is also the world's tallest obelisk. It is composed of marble, granite, and sandstone. Although there are monumental columns that are taller, they are not "true" obelisks or the are not 100% stone. So that means the Washington Monument is the tallest LEGIT, AUTHENTIC stone monument made of 100% stone.
Not sure what I am doing here, but I am in from of the Washington monument.
Me with Lincoln memorial in the backyard.
According to some history, Buddha had two guards guarding him at all times. This is a statue of one of those guards.
Street view of the Capitol! Literally, I was just walking down the street and when I saw the Capitol building for the first time I did a gasp, did a double take and stopped in the middle of the crosswalk. Then, Corena reminded me to keep walking so that we wouldn't get run over...
And to be completely honest, my first thought was that the Capitol building was the White House. Corena explained to me that NO, the big prominent building is the Capitol... :)
Street view of the Washington monument! Originally, I had so many pictures of the Capitol building and of the Washington monument. I just couldn't get enough, and it seems like everywhere you go there is a fascinating new view, new angle, so why not take lots of pictures??
Random modern art, just one example of random modern art that you will find throughout the city.
The First Amendment written in stone in front of the Newseum.
Great view of Constitution Ave.
Holocaust Memorial Museum. This was the museum I was most excited to see. I spent a lot of time there and stayed until closing. The experience was really intense and afterward I felt physically sick to my stomach.
Bill Clinton quote inside Holocaust Memorial Museum.
What the Protocols book was about.
More info about the Protocols.
Information detailing the Protocols from the Holocaust museum.
Information detailing the Protocols from the Holocaust museum.
Information detailing the Protocols from the Holocaust museum.
I met these girls randomly while exploring D.C. on my own. One was a French native and we all hung out together. Eugenie was the first French person I've ever had a real long French conversation with outside of the classroom :)
Abe Lincoln.
Enscription at Lincoln Memorial.
Lincoln memorial :)
Washington monument at night.
Funny train sign.
Grandpa will appreciate this! It's a picture of cars lined up to get gas in Portland, Oregon back in the day. This exhibit was on display at the American History Museum.
The American War section at the American History Museum. American History Museum was amazzzing, and since there was so much information, I hardly got past 1781, when Britain surrendered and the USA won the American Revolutionary.
Dramatic painting by Paul Revere of the Boston Massacre.
Boston Massacre. Location: American History Museum.
Boston Tea Party. Location: American History Museum.
The Battle of Lexington and Concord, Britain declares war on USA in 1775, the start of the American Revolutionary War. Location: American History Museum.
French and Indian War. Location: American History Museum.
Text explaining why armies fought side by side and fought straight on (because the muskets were such highly inaccurate weapons). Location: American History Museum.
View of the Capitol building from the Washington Mall.
Corena and I in front of the Capitol building!
Me in front of the Capitol.
Horse statue.
Corena in front of the Capitol.
Capitol building.
Sunset on the Washington monument from the Capitol.
Corena in front of the Capitol building.
Corena in front of the Capitol building.
Corena in front of the Capitol building.
Corena in front of the Capitol building.
Corena and I watching the sunset on the Washington monument, sitting on the lip of the fountain at the Capitol building.
Library of Congress close-up.
Library of Congress.
Supreme Court.
Me in front of the Supreme Court.
Washington DC freeway at night.
Cousin It.
The Old Post Office.
So Corena and I were walking down the street. And she told me, "Whatever you do, keep looking to the right. Keep walking but keep looking to the right, you don't want to miss a thing!" So I was totally looking to the right. To my right were these amazing statues, and I got really into it. Above is Thomas Jefferson and the original signers of the constitution(?).
And wow, the statues to my right were impressive. Above is Yankee Doodle (?).
And then finally, she allowed me to look to my left! What did I see? A full on frontal view of the White House. It was Sunday morning. Possible Obama was still sleeping enjoying a lazy Sunday morning?? It's possible that for a few brief moments I was in the same geographic vicinity as the President of the United States. However, Corena on the other hand argues that the president never sleeps in and that he is a very busy important man and that he is always up by 10 AM. When we were here it was just before noon. I say that even the President is allowed to be lazy every once in awhile because even he is human. What do you think?? Also, pictured above is me in front of the Secret Service guards!!
Secret service officers sans moi.
Peace vigil in front of the white house denouncing the use of nuclear weapons. The vigil has been maintained 24/7 for a really long time.
Waiting on the D.C. metro.
D.C. metro underground. It's very efficient! I wonder if it was designed after London public transportation? That is something I didn't research...
Tourist truck.
Washington Memorial.
Washington Memorial <3 onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYHtbIaAQuURhrBiUoVTeUigP6vCms6zWDhS-yQUKpU7GDxIO-Bmf4mHpd9lsjrrdJnFCeN1XtZUGOqj49nzjzQGAl-5rI65stqjGVccymozLbQhHkfzdmZrB12V4y3FCYeIUiIVbEW9x/s1600/SANY0295.JPG">
I came to Washington DC with the goal of getting a really good American flag in the wind picture. Mission accomplished!
Capitol building, gorgeous view.
Lincoln Memorial, beautiful view.
Washington Monument. It stands 555 FT tall. It is the tallest stone structure in the world as well as the tallest building in all of DC. It is also the world's tallest obelisk. It is composed of marble, granite, and sandstone. Although there are monumental columns that are taller, they are not "true" obelisks or the are not 100% stone. So that means the Washington Monument is the tallest LEGIT, AUTHENTIC stone monument made of 100% stone.
Not sure what I am doing here, but I am in from of the Washington monument.
Me with Lincoln memorial in the backyard.
According to some history, Buddha had two guards guarding him at all times. This is a statue of one of those guards.
Street view of the Capitol! Literally, I was just walking down the street and when I saw the Capitol building for the first time I did a gasp, did a double take and stopped in the middle of the crosswalk. Then, Corena reminded me to keep walking so that we wouldn't get run over...
And to be completely honest, my first thought was that the Capitol building was the White House. Corena explained to me that NO, the big prominent building is the Capitol... :)
Street view of the Washington monument! Originally, I had so many pictures of the Capitol building and of the Washington monument. I just couldn't get enough, and it seems like everywhere you go there is a fascinating new view, new angle, so why not take lots of pictures??
Random modern art, just one example of random modern art that you will find throughout the city.
The First Amendment written in stone in front of the Newseum.
Great view of Constitution Ave.
Holocaust Memorial Museum. This was the museum I was most excited to see. I spent a lot of time there and stayed until closing. The experience was really intense and afterward I felt physically sick to my stomach.
Bill Clinton quote inside Holocaust Memorial Museum.
What the Protocols book was about.
More info about the Protocols.
Information detailing the Protocols from the Holocaust museum.
Information detailing the Protocols from the Holocaust museum.
Information detailing the Protocols from the Holocaust museum.
I met these girls randomly while exploring D.C. on my own. One was a French native and we all hung out together. Eugenie was the first French person I've ever had a real long French conversation with outside of the classroom :)
Abe Lincoln.
Enscription at Lincoln Memorial.
Lincoln memorial :)
Washington monument at night.
Funny train sign.
