Day 23: Independence Day in Washington DC

It was a special day for America today as it was Independence Day today. As luck would have it, we were planning to sightsee Washington's tourist landmarks so it was a perfect place to witness Independence Day celebrations. Independence Day marked the day USA declared its independence from Great Britain's control.

The first stop for us when we arrived in Washington was to watch the independence e day parade. There were various societies and floats joining in the parade such as dancers, Iwo Jama tribute floats and unicycle society where we all were kept amused by several tumbles from some of the riders! My personal favourite has to be a huge inflatable Uncle Sam which staggered around unsteadily as he was drunk because a group of handlers were struggling to control him.

We had our fill and headed for the political hot-spot of Washington- the Capitol. It was oddly deserted which made it all more imposing but it was a magnificent building which shone brilliant white in the sun. It was getting to be unbearably hot. I was sweating from just standing around in the sun. Smithsonian buildings were our next stop. It was a complex of museums and research buildings. We did not visit any of museums but it was a stop on the route to our next landmark so it was worth a look.

It was at this point where I realised all landmarks in walking distances of other each bar Jefferson memorial, Georgetown and Iwo Jama memorial. It meant it made our life easier and harder. It was easier to get around and to avoid overcrowded public transport especially in the heat but it also meant we were further roasted in the sun!

I know I have touched down on the topic of the hot weather in this entry but it was that hot that my metro ticket practically melted by the time I checked it! In the reality, it just got drenched by my sweat! Before we reached our next landmark, we passed an university fair advertising several universities along with few bands playing and food stalls which was rather a strange timing for students to research about their prospective unversities.

We eventually arrived at Washington Monument after a rest. The Monument was built to commemorate George Washington who was the first USA president. It looked like a giant chalk to be honest which is not surprising since it is 555 feet tall. We passed it and enjoyed free water barrels which have a tap and a nozzle attached it where you can either drink from it or spray yourself with fresh water. It was a godsend!

We carried on our journey to Abraham Lincoln memorial where soon as we arrive, we collapsed into its shade to rest before appreciating the Abraham Lincoln statue. It was a wholly deserved tribute for a great president and a great man who can count abolishing slavery, and approving Gallaudet University and many more amongst his impeccable achievements. Capitol, Monument, White House and Lincoln memorial was all built with marble which reflected building trends in America in 18th and 19th century.

Since it was my designated city for research before the USA road trip, I led my party all day and my job was made difficult by several road closures and during our walk to White House there was an overkill of road closures and barricades in the preparation for the evening fireworks. There was even a traditional yellow American school bus being used to block some of streets!

We eventually arrived at White House but it was bit disappointing as we can't see the front of White House due to security reasons so we had to make do with viewing the back of White House which is not the same. Sara,Ashley and I decided to stay behind to watch fireworks which was good but bit short before joining in over congested rat race to our campsite via the metro!