Friday - I finally got into 'Washington DC' 24h after I left 'Chicago', allowing for the 1h time difference (ET GMT minus 5h). It was supposed to be a 18h journey!! I collected my bags and then set off on the red subway line to my hostel. After walking 6 blocks up "11th St" I came to the "Hostelling International Washington DC". It is $28 a night but has a good location and is quite a nice hostel. I upacked and then decided to go and get some food, I was hungry. But much to my disappointment most stores were closed as I was in the business district. I had a wander and found that the "Capitol" was not too far away, and neither was the "White House". I then had a relaxing evening reading my new book. Saturday - Up early as I had a lot of sightseeing to do. First off I went to the "National Archives" and got to see the original scripts of the "Declaration of Independence", "Bill of Rights" and "American Constitution". Then I went down to "Capitol Hill" and queued for my free ticket for the "Capitol" tour. It was for 3pm so I set off to visit the museums within the "National mall". The mall extends from the "Capitol" all the way to the "Potomac River", it is 400f of green fields (and site for many famous American public protest). The first museum that I visited was the "National Museum of the American Indian". It was ok but some of the displays were a bit heavy on reading, although proved to be quite interesting. Next up was the "National Air and Space Museum" which was great. It had an interesting exhibition on the "Wright Brothers", the "Apollo 11" flight module (and lots of very good information on the planets and space) and also "Charles Lindenburgh's" "Spirit of St Louis". I then walked down towards the "Smithsonian Castle", which had lots of information on the English guy who decided to give the USA $4.1million to start the institution (they own all of the National Museums). Then realising the time I headed back to the "Capitol" to begin my tour. Lots of security checks later (like all the museums and monuments) I got to begin my guided tour. We started in the Rotunda which has a big dome (on top is the statue of Freedom, who is taller that NY Statue of Liberty) on the outside and inside it is painted with a "Brumidi" fresco. Also decorating the area are; statues of Presidents and Generals and more paintings by "Brumidi". It was all together a very imposing and stunning interior. Down near the crypt was the original "House of Congress" (1890s) which was dimly lit and decorated. When the tour ended we exited to a superb view of the "National Mall" and "Washington Monument". I then popped across to see the very imposing white marble structure of the "Supreme Court". From there I wandered back down to the "Washington Monument" - the huge obelisk dominating for miles. Next up was the "White House" which you could not get very close to and therefore it seemed quite small. A bit of a let down! Next door was the office building which houses the "White House" staff, all very "West Wing". I then did a big walk around the "Tidal Basin" passing the huge domed "Jefferson Memorial" and the "FDR Memorial" (lots of waterfalls and a statue). I came back to the impressive "WWII Memorial" with fountains and pillars representing the states. Next up I walked past the reflecting pool (at sunset) up to the "Lincoln Memorial" - what a stunning sight. I stayed to see it and also the "Washington Monument" get lit up after dark - wonderful views! Sunday - Today I spent the morning in "Dupont Circle". The whole area itself is centered by a large fountain within parkland. Again it was a very hot and humid day so I could not sit out for long. I had a wander around the cafes and boutiques, also looking around the farmers market. From "Dupont Circle" I walked towards the north side of the "White House", popping into the "National Geographic Hall" on the way (very good display on Egypt and Tut). You could get much closer to the "White House" but the views were not as good. I then walked towards the "National Museum of American History". What a very interesting place it was, I was there for 3h. It had good displays on; Science (DNA, nuclear bombs and chemistry), American Presidents (life, work, death and assasinations), the First Ladies (work, dresses from Inauguration ceremonies), the "Star Spangled Banner" and finally the American Flag that was hung over the "Pentagon" on September 12th 2001. Speaking of the "Pentagon" this was my next stop. But once I reached the subway station entrance I found very high security checks and also that it was not open to the public to view. I saw it on the way though from the metro bridge over the "Pontomac River". I then decided to end the day at the "Arlington National Cemetery". It was easily reached on the subway. What a experience it was, the place was so silent. There were miles and miles of tiny white crosses planted in rows. I watched the changing of the guard at the "Tomb of the Unknowns" and also saw the eternal flame at "JFK's" gravesite. In the evening I got back and was in a rather sombre and affected mood, so I decided to go to the cinema and see the "Wedding Crashers", it was so funny I had to wipe tears from my eyes I laughed so much!! Monday - I set off for NYC.