Washington - Museums and Monuments

Boston to Washington via train:

Today I took the train from Boston to Washington - just under seven hours which I passed the time by some reading the and watching a movie. It was an interesting journey and I spoke to a lady who was taking her twin sons to NYC for a few days as it is spring break at the moment. It was here that I had the most amazing bagel with cream cheese - amazing combination so I see why it’s popular. I also had this cheese platter - around $5 and tasted amazing.

I got into Washington in the late afternoon and was struck by how breathtaking it is even from the train station. I then checked in and had an early night before my busy day tomorrow.

Day One:

I woke up and after breakfast headed to the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. The building as you can see is stunning. Saying that almost all are - as the tour guide for my tour later said this town was created specifically for the government which is why it’s so immaculate and pretty.

This was the back

The front

I was unable to take any pictures of the document or amazing room it is held in but if do some google image searches it will show you what they look like.

I could not spend a huge amount of time there but managed to see an exhibit on the Vietnam war. I then finally managed to buy a metro pass and the most friendly worker assisted me and showed me how to top it up when I needed. I then had to head up to my free walking tour. The busses / trains are strange in this town and it was just as long for me to walk which is I what I decided to do.

I was greeted by Dan who was a former teacher amongst everything and a fellow history graduate so I knew the tour was going to be good. I learned a lot about the various monuments. We learned the difference between a monument and memorial. If the design is in place when you are alive it is a monument (even if it is erected after you do pass away). Obviously a memorial is when you have passed.

The Washington Monument 

The White House in the distance

The WW2 Memorial  

This is the Woman’s Vietnam Memorial 

The Vietnam War Memorial - it has all the names of the soilders who lost their lives carved into 

the stone

Also part of the memorial 

Here is the Washington Monument reflected into the reflection pond. 

The very busy Lincoln Memorial 

The actual place he stood when doing the ‘I have a dream speech’ 

The great President Lincoln 

Another thing to note was the a million and one school children everywhere. Our tour guide told us how as it’s spring break for a lot of kids their annual school trip is to DC. Did not stop them being loud and sometimes rude. Not sure if this is just me but if you bump into someone you usually say sorry or at least make sure to get out of the way. Here I’ve been looked at strangely when I’ve said sorry or excuse me when people bump into me, or I have indicated they need to step aside.

Day two: 

The following day I had breakfast with a lady from my room who was travelling from the UK. She was having a holiday by herself as she had left her kids and husband at home.

I then went to the holocaust museum as I had booked to see the main exhibit at 11am. As the museum is so popular from April-September you need a pass you book a session online (for a $1). I decided to get there by 10am to have a quick look around which I’m glad I did as that day they had a survivor speaking. Born in Prussia he and his family managed to escape to South America with his family where he met his wife who was also a survivor. 

I then went into the main exhibit and although it said it takes an hour I was there for at least three. It is over three floors and covers the time before Hitler's rise to power all the way through to the survivors being able to leave Europe for new homes. 

It is now where I have to complain about the million and one children. They did have parents and teachers but many I found to be quite disrespectful. Talking loudly and even a few talking on the phone in a museum about mass murder is just not acceptable. What disturbed me the most were those taking photos, I have no idea what for. One floor had replicas for the train cars, bunks and even gas chambers. It reminds me of the craze of taking selfies in Auschwitz a few years ago. I then spoke to a person in my room later that day who said she felt the same at the Arlington Cemetery that day. The kids just seemed to be having a fun day out of school, I was once a teenager and I understand but at that stage you have to question why they were taken there in the first place. 

Day Three:

I was up again early as I had a ticket to the Smithsonian African American History Museum. Again only a $1 to book online and I can see why they need this system. I believe it was only opened a year ago and is hugely popular, it was crowded most of the time I was there.

The Smithsonian Museum of African American Culture and History 

It was on three floors and like the holocaust museum the day before you went through sections from Slavery to emancipation to the present time. Floor one covered African culture and the slave trade. I thought it was amazing that the walls had the ship names and how many passengers boarded and how many survived the journey.

Level two / three covered the struggle for freedom and emancipation and was amazing. I have always been fascinated by the 1960s and they social change. It was an honour to see so many artifacts including the dress seen below by Rosa Parks. I remember doing a report on her when I was 14 and I always admired her courage to do something so simple as to refuse to give up her seat. 

The famous dress 

I then left and decided to go for some classic American lunch and got a hot dog, fries and giant soda. It was disappointing, however, when lining up a man behind me complaining about the people in front taking so long because they were Asian and not speaking English. Coming from a museum about equality to this really annoyed me. Being who I am I pointed out to him it was the lack of servers and not the people in front, he didn’t seem to listen though.

I then I went to the Smithsonian American History Museum which was just across the road. Unfortunately at this stage I my museum fatigue kickedin. I managed to see the Julia Child kitchen and an exhibit on the various modes of transport. I also saw a new exhibit on the Japanese American people who were put into camps in WW2. 

My feet were quite sore at this stage so saw a 3D movie on the National Parks of the USA. As always it was amazing - this country is so breathtaking. Next time I visit it will be about the scenery rather then museums and monuments. It was then that I found the most amazing gift store! They had everything you can think of and yes I did restrain myself. 

Julia Child’s Kitchen - all donated by the chef before she passed away 

That evening I took part in a get to know your fellow hostel / make your own trail mix party. It was nice to meet and talk to some travellers plus I won bingo and won a prize. 

Day four:

Today I took part in a tour of the Arlington National Cemetery. I thought I had left myself a lot of time to get there, however, as I should have guessed there was a line for your bag to be x-rayed plus you have to go through a metal detector. Luckily I made it out on time and we headed off for the tour. Although my knee had been remarkably better I didn’t realise there was a sharp walk up a hill! It is certainly a breathtaking place to be buried and I liked the fact that you could have your spouse and children (if they passed away under the age of 21) also laid to rest next to you. Anyone is eligible to be buried there if they were killed in active combat, have served more than 20 years with a unblemished record or you assisted the USA. They also have the former Supreme Court justices buried there as well.

The grounds are breathtaking 

Up the hill we got to the ampitheatre the was created for those who served in WWI. It is also beside the tomb of the unknown soldier. It was amazing to see the changing of the guard. This happens every 30 mins in summer (in the day time) then each hour at all other times. This runs 24/7 and in all weathers. They do have a seperate uniform for the winter as Washington does see snow! I first thought they changed guard so much in the summer for tourists, however, it is because of the heat that they can’t stay outside in the sun that long. It takes them around four hours to become dressed and ready for each time they are on duty. To become a guard you have to have an impeccable military record plus know all the rules off the top of their head. They are given a test of 150 questions and only those who receive 90% can go through to the next round. In their nine month training they also have to read around 300 biographies of the people who are buried there and this is along with their normal work in the army. 

The Ampitheatre

The changing of the guard 

We then went up and saw the former home of Robert E Lee’s family. It was here that he penned the letter to the union army rejecting their offer and instead decided to join the confederates. The land still belonged to him after the Civil War finished and they were faced with removing all of the graves until he agreed to sell the land of the US government. As you can see the house is in need of a lot of restoration. It is completely built with wood, however, painted in a way to resemble marble. Unfortunately because of this it is taking a lot longer to restore.

The house is in need of some repairs

We then went down the hill to see the grave of JFK which was surrounded by tourists. I am not all the taken with the Kennedy’s so I’m not sure of all the hype. Also found it a bit strange how people threw pennies onto his grave (despite there being signs not to do this). I asked the tour guide who said some people thought it was for good luck but did say she and a lot of other people see it as being disrespectful. The tour then ended soon after and in the gift shop I managed to insult a Trump supporter. You can buy a huge manner of things with all the presidents on there. A lady noted that Trump was on a ruler and I said she could always scratch it off She, however, became insulted and said not to offend her president!

I was then intending to have the afternoon off - as in resting my legs but instead went to my favourite store target. Think of the warehouse except nicer. I did manage to buy my nephew some Paw Patrol band-aids as promised so I hope he still likes the show when I come back. I bought Jurassic Park as well just in case as all kids seem to like dinosaurs. 

Day Five.

This was the last day I had in Washington and I had to go and visit the White House. Having my google maps open I managed to find it quite easily especially considering the number of people in the same area. Tightly guarded there were a lot of armed police walking around who were not happy with people taking their picture. After seeing a man getting told off I decided it was probably not a good idea to ask them to have a picture with Baby Groot. The house was much smaller than I thought, however, I really did like the gardens and monuments in the park across the street.

I then went off to visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Unfortunately even with yesterday off I still had museum fatigue so only managed to see the parts on the moon landings. However, I feel this more than made up for missing everything else. 

Stuff from the moon!

I then had some lunch and read my book outside in the sunshine. It is such a pretty city and it’s a shame that there is so much security everywhere, and in none of the fountains were you allowed to put your feet in the water. It was such a lovely day I’m sure my feet would have enjoyed it.

I then went to Walmart as they had one near my hostel. I’m so glad I went as I managed to find some cheap shorts and new PJ’s as I know it's going to get quite warm in Europe.

Re-packing for the next destination I realised that I may have over packed for my trip. Already weighing around 20kg I am only allowed 23kg as my allowance. I’ve decided to ditch some of my stuff before I leave (I have planned to buy new clothes when I get back anyway as I need new work clothes). Luckily as I booked my ticket before March I am allowed to go up to 32kg for an extra $60usd so at least I can do some more shopping in NYC.