I loved the variety and change in the neighborhoods of
Washington. From the small clapboard
houses in Georgetown to the giant homes of the rich now often used for
embassy’s, the only repetitions I saw are those of the Federalist
structures. I like the façade easements
I saw in the downtown area that preserve a pre-WWII feeling to the
neighborhoods. I like the green of the
trees and the beauty of them as they turn.
But this is another city where no one can afford to live; it
is another city with big pockets of the poor.
Not many ethnic neighborhoods remain in the central part of
the city. We did find an arch indicating
that once a large Chinese population lived here. The churches remain though. Almost every other block, you can find a
stone church structure, and topping them all is the grand National Cathedral.
We were lucky enough to tour a famous federal structure
twice thanks to our Senator and ThomaS’s Senator. Each time we entered the White House, I was
surprised by the size of the rooms and the brilliance of the colors. With this building in our news every other
moment this election year, perhaps it has grown in size in our minds as it
increases in stature. It is a home. One forgets that. Offices too.
The rooms are not huge. The first
floor State Dining Room will seat a lot of people, but the colors are gentle
and the fabrics all blend more than well.
The biggest room used for major events of State, the East Room, is a
comfortable size but not a huge echoing chamber at all. Every administration that uses this site must
long for bigger rooms as well as a bigger budget.
No camera’s. Darn. Please stop in at this wonderful site that
gives you glimpses of each room as it changes through the ages: The White House Museum.
We came in through the east wing past the library and the
dish room. At the end of this hall,
George and I were led away from the tour Past a privacy barriers for the
Obama’s. Both times we were guided in
different directions to a small elevator just off the kitchen. There on the wall, with a chip like the glass
on our bathroom walls had, were heavy 12x12 blocks of white Corning glass
tiling the walls. Our Secret Service
guide didn’t know any of this. I just
hope he was interested. Up on the first
floor, we were guided across the main entrance where the Tiffany Glass used to
fill between the pillars to the East Room.
Through both the Cross Hall and the Entrance Hall, we were
let into the East room. Here the
fireplaces are a dark, red marble that contrasts strongly with the golden glow
of the room. In each room on this floor
was a well instructed Secret Service person.
They were able to tell us all about the contents of the rooms with a
certain special interest that comes from passion.
Through the Green, Blue, Red, and State Dining Room, we were
let out of all this magnificence into the fresh air to a portable ramp. Most folks whipped out their phones and took
pictures as we left. ThomaS headed home
into the storm from here. We had enjoyed
his company no end.
The previous day, we had also toured the Capitol with
ThomaS….walking up, and down, and all around this stunning structure. Great security. The toughest, actually, letting us out in a
new Visitor Center that’s designed to process hundreds at a time. Dramatic domes. A design for secret whispers….that the heavy
curtains were installed to stop but didn’t.
Old Chambers and the Rotunda.
That’s all we got to see.
Around the fenced park area we rolled and walked asking our
way to the nearest Metro Elevator.
Closed, and Closed, and lost be us.
Eventually we made our way, very tiringly for G and ThomaS to an
entrance and for a quick glimpse of modern art before dinner.
The Last White House day, we had a fast food Chinese lunch
with ThomaS, while he headed to his car, we found ourselves at the Hirshhorn
Museum…and what a treat it was.
The Hirshhorn energized us.
We took our time. Much of it was
truly exciting stuff or I began to understand it after I’d been with it for a
while. Then we rolled up the mall to the
Museum of the American Indian. Again, an
outstanding museum and George’s favorite, but not enough time to see it really
well.
The last day we woke late, we packed, then we made our way
to the magnificent Union Station, and we had another meal with some wonderful
folks.
The last thing we did was visit the Holocaust Museum. Everyone needs to do this at least once. Again, no photographs allowed. They were not
needed as the images are seared into our brains.
Such a marvelous city! YESSSS!
ReplyDeleteI feel I really missed out by not visiting Washington. What an eye opener.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea there was so much to the White House.
Gosh you must be pretty tired.
I wish I'd been in your pocket. What a tour.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me long for another visit to Washington; which is not difficult because I live in central Virginia. Actually, I lived along the Beltway years ago and have been to some of the places you visited, one of which was the Holocaust Museum. You are so right about the images seared onto your brain.
ReplyDeleteWhere is your next postcard coming from! :)
Thank you for taking us along on your trip. I really enjoyed it. I must confess, as often as I have been in DC I've never visited the White House. I spend all of my time in the art museums.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful, Mage. DC has changed so much since I saw it in 1987. Glad you had a good time.
ReplyDelete