Washington. Loving it!

Chilly again (-3C when we set out) as we wandered up to the National Cathederal, a few hundred metres away. Used for state funerals and such. Quite impressive. after a quick wander we hopped on bus 32 into 'Downtown'. No idea where it actually ended up, but it turns out that it takes a direct line to the heart of the city, drives right past the White House and past the Capital Building. Perfect ride - except that some head honcho dude decided to leave his house just as our bus was approaching so the traffic simply stopped. Police everywhere. His cavalcade was 6 (single - ie spread out) motorbikes, two police cruisers, then 7 or 8 jet black cars, including the big limo, with a few police trailing. Quite a good reason for being slightly delayed!

We hopped off near the Capital Building and were amazed that we could just walk into the grounds. Lots of guards standing in the shadows, but they just watched in silence. We wandered around the Capital area then along the Mall to start looking at museums. The Smithsonian Native American one was first. Didn't take us long to absorb what we wanted, but at least it was warm! Next, on to the Air and Space museum which was excellent. Saw the actual first plane to fly, various space capsules and heaps of other interesting things. They have an interesting collection and very well presented. When the girls eyes glazed over we headed outside for a stroll.

Walking along the Mall is awesome. Capital in the background, the National Monument ahead and flanked by amazing buidlings (Many are Smithsonian museums). As we're all Art Illiterate, we skipped those and just wandered to the Monument itself. Surrounded by Police Tape we joked that NCIS would probably appear - and sure enough they did - to hand over a brochure and explain it was closed for repair.... Not quite the NCIS we know and love! There was an Earthquake in August that left a few cracks. Being fixed. Quite an impressive structure - biggest freestanding thingmy on the planet, very old (But looks very new) and nothing in Washington can be built taller than it.

After that we took to the Holecaust Museum for a bit of a culture shock. We wanted the girls to get an understanding of what nasties history has stashed away - and it is tastefully done, so hopefully they wont have nightmares - but it was naturally confronting. Sunset time by then so we strolled along the Mall up to the Lincoln Memorial as the sun set. The memorial is awesome, and the Lincoln Statue very impressive - as are the views all around, especially under light. I stood on the 'I have a Dream' spot, but had to use quite a bit of imagination - the reflection pool that extends in the middle away from the Memorial is gone - replaced by a building site. Not sure what they're doing, but it doesn't look like they're cleaning the pond!

Finally we wandered over to the White House. There was no reception committee - just a couple of friendly guards. We were still amazed that you can get so close to the front door! The impression from the movies/news is that it is a fair distance - but it's not at all. A good Frisbee lob and we could be knocking on their door apologising for breaking their windows and asking for our toy back!

Bus ride home. Cold. Grabbed food at the supermarket nearby. Yvonne and I still sick. Girls still good. Sleep......