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Today was my first big touristy day in Washington, D.C. I started out the morning with a tour of the Capitol. I’d been there once before on the Inaugural Parade trip with the OSUMB. That time we waited outside (in the snow) for over an hour, then we sped through the building in less than ten minutes. Our guide had lost her voice, so she didn’t say much. Today’s tour still wasn’t particularly lengthy, but it was much more interesting. I think my favorite bit was the cool trick the guide did with the crazy acoustics in the original House chamber. He stood at the other side of the room and spoke in a normal voice, but the strange acoustics amplified his voice.
After the Capitol, I headed across the street to the Library of Congress. The official tour at the Library of Congress is much more satisfying than the Capitol tour. If you’ve never been there, you should go. The interior of the library is incredible. There are mosaics, paintings, and sculptures on pretty much every surface. It’s great to look at, but on the tour, the guides also explain all the symbolism involved. Among the many quotes that are painted around the great hall, my favorite is “Art is long and time is fleeting” from Longfellow’s “A Psalm of Life.” We also got to see the main reading room (from above, the tours don’t actually go inside), which made me want to go be intelligent and studious. I also, inexplicably, almost fainted again, but I'm pretty sure that had nothing to do with the tour.
I had lunch at the cafeteria in the National Museum of the American Indian, which serves Native foods. Best lunch on the Mall, seriously. (The museum itself is worth a trip, too.) I walked across the Mall and through a big anti-abortion rally on my way to the National Archives. I was amazed to see how many of the protesters were high school or college students; it kinda seemed like a giant high school field trip, but with more banners and leaflets. Once I made it through the crowds to the Archives, I was pleasantly surprised by how deserted it was. Again, the only time I visited before was Inauguration week, and it was packed. This time, I actually had time to read the displays. Aside from the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the Archives also has a fun and interactive permanent exhibit.
After all that walking, I was pretty tired, but that didn’t stop my aunt dragging me to the gym with her. (I have now been to the gym three days in a row. I think that’s some sort of record.) I went to my first ever yoga class, at which I discovered that yoga with an instructor is much more enjoyable than yoga with a video. The instructor said yoga could help with fibromyalgia, so I’ll have to think about taking more classes in the future.
So far, no plans for tomorrow, but there are plenty more free museums to visit. Later in the week I’m heading the University of Maryland to check out the library school. Yes, I may actually be getting my life back on track! :D
ETA: Pictures may follow once I get un-lazy and load them from my camera.
After the Capitol, I headed across the street to the Library of Congress. The official tour at the Library of Congress is much more satisfying than the Capitol tour. If you’ve never been there, you should go. The interior of the library is incredible. There are mosaics, paintings, and sculptures on pretty much every surface. It’s great to look at, but on the tour, the guides also explain all the symbolism involved. Among the many quotes that are painted around the great hall, my favorite is “Art is long and time is fleeting” from Longfellow’s “A Psalm of Life.” We also got to see the main reading room (from above, the tours don’t actually go inside), which made me want to go be intelligent and studious. I also, inexplicably, almost fainted again, but I'm pretty sure that had nothing to do with the tour.
I had lunch at the cafeteria in the National Museum of the American Indian, which serves Native foods. Best lunch on the Mall, seriously. (The museum itself is worth a trip, too.) I walked across the Mall and through a big anti-abortion rally on my way to the National Archives. I was amazed to see how many of the protesters were high school or college students; it kinda seemed like a giant high school field trip, but with more banners and leaflets. Once I made it through the crowds to the Archives, I was pleasantly surprised by how deserted it was. Again, the only time I visited before was Inauguration week, and it was packed. This time, I actually had time to read the displays. Aside from the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the Archives also has a fun and interactive permanent exhibit.
After all that walking, I was pretty tired, but that didn’t stop my aunt dragging me to the gym with her. (I have now been to the gym three days in a row. I think that’s some sort of record.) I went to my first ever yoga class, at which I discovered that yoga with an instructor is much more enjoyable than yoga with a video. The instructor said yoga could help with fibromyalgia, so I’ll have to think about taking more classes in the future.
So far, no plans for tomorrow, but there are plenty more free museums to visit. Later in the week I’m heading the University of Maryland to check out the library school. Yes, I may actually be getting my life back on track! :D
ETA: Pictures may follow once I get un-lazy and load them from my camera.
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