Day 31 - Morning City Tour in Washington DC

This morning was going to be fun touring around Washington and seeing the beauty of Arlington.  Just grabbed an apple as I walked out the door and that was breakfast for the day… hmm I need to rectify the lack of food.

The Sunrise from my hotel Room 

Our first stop this morning was Arlington cemetery where we picked up our city guide who I swear to god in another life was a St Major… she was scary and no personality. While yes she was really interesting in terms of her facts and figures she just didn’t have that ….  I don’t know … the right feel.

Arlington Cemetery  

Arlington is truly a beautiful spot and quite sacred but she just didn’t convey that.  Luckily I was near Christina so she was giving me some other facts – she did it a lot better than her.  It was a warm morning and had us standing in the warm sun which was stupid because it was too hot.

Arlington Cemetery 

The sheer size of the cemetery was overwhelming and how it went for acres with the white headstones all lined up in such symmetry. It gives you an idea on how many people have given their life for the country and it was very humbling.

Arlington Cemetery  

It is located on over 200 acres and officially was dedicated as a military cemetery in 1864 and at last record has just over 300 000 soldiers buried here.  It was simply astounding especially with tombstones seemingly   to go on forever…

Arlington Cemetery  

We walked up the hill to Cusitis Stone House and the Kennedy gravesites. It had an aura of reverence and quiet so we made sure we were quiet as we walked through. But it did make it hard to hear our guide.

Arlington Cemetery 

 We saw the Kennedy gravesites and eternal flame which is one of a kind. It is because he was a president assassinated in the line of duty and buried along with Family members, Robert and Teddy. Whilst he is not the only president buried there because President Taft was buried in 1930 but he is the most remembered obviously.

Kennedy Grave sites 

We headed back to our bus after touring the gravesites of the Kennedys and you can definitely feel the warming up of the temperature.  I never expected Washington to be 30degrees but at least it isn’t the stinking hot that we get.

Arlington Cemetery  

Our next stop was the monument of Iwo Jima which was erected to commemorate the battle of the Japanese Island. The interesting thing apart from the like 2 sec stop was the fact that the flag has been erected to look like it is crooked but it is actually straight so it is a unique optical illusion.

Iwo Jima 

It was the first true battle on Japanese soil and while the US armed forces won the battle they had substantially more casualties that the Japanese forces which is why the monument exists.

Iwo Jima 

It is sandwiched between Arlington and Potomac river and it was quite pretty with views down to the Washington Monument … perfect Washington view…  too bad it was so quick…

Iwo Jima 

We then headed to the Lincoln Monument where we were able to wander and photograph.  It really is an imposing and humbling monument.  Also when it was built it was built with the states that had joined the union built into the top around the entire monument along with the years in roman numerals.

Lincoln Memorial 

It was originally built to honour the 16^th president Abraham Lincoln and contains the inscription of the Gettysburg’s address along with his 2^nd inaugural speech when he was re-elected to office. 

States in the Union

It is probably most famous for the speech by Martin Luther King Jr “I have a dream”  and of course where Forest Gump is forced to speak and then find Jenny…  yelling out … JEEEENNNYYY when she runs across the reflecting pond.  Haha

JEEEENNNYYYYY!!! - channelling Forest Gump here 

We then walked across to the Vietnam Veterans monument which is a poignant reminder of the brutality of the war. Also a reminder to me what my dad fought for and how proud of him I am for everything they went through after. Which in some ways just as brutal as the war itself. It was actually commissioned as a public competition to be voted on in a blind vote so they wouldn’t know anything about the entrant. Who was a young Chinese student from Yale and has now made her career out sculpture.  It is designed that the start and the beginning of the war start in the same spot with 1959 starting at the top of the southern wall and then finishing at 1975 and the bottom of the east wall.

the beginning of the Vietnam War Memorial  

It is massive with over 249 feet of graduated wall space with names covering almost every spare inch of it.  It recognises those who were killed in action and missing in action because many of those soldiers have never been found.

The Graduated Wall of the Memorial 

At the beginning of the monument is 3 men symbolises the people who fought in the war and then the women’s monument represents the women who not only fought in the war but also took care of the wounded. It is also sometimes called the Nurses statues.  It was very beautiful area with view to Lincoln’s memorial to Washington monument.

The Nurses memorial  

As I walked back to the bus I remember looking at the autumn colours and thinking how beautiful the whole area was. I loved it and didn’t want to leave but I was last back so I got ushered onto the bus.

from the Vietnam War memorial to the Washington Monument  

We then headed over to the white house area and took the risk to see if we could park there and get a view to the white house. Sure enough we got lucky … So we got to see the white house again because most of us had done it the previous day it was still pretty cool because the crowds were more plentiful and the protesters I think we would have done the photo here if it wasn’t so busy.

 

We also heard about the stories of the apartments that are near the white house – I just can’t remember who they belonged to but when Winston Churchill once stayed there the current first lady instigated a rule that a dressing gown must be worn at all times when not dressed for a occasion.

The Protesters at the front of the White House 

We then headed to the Capitol building which first of all we had to do a group photo because Christina prefers to do the photo herself. So we were using my camera and we were going to get the tour guide to take the photo… well best laid plans… it was too shaded and I wasn’t getting the photo quality that I deemed acceptable enough and the camera wouldn’t cooperate because it was too shaded.  So we used one of the other groups then tried mine again which gave us a perfect shot with the capitol.

The Group Shot  

The only thing I found different to this shot compared with Rockies is that the bus driver didn’t participate because they are as much part of the tour as the tour director. Also I did a much better shot because everyone was looking at the camera compared with the Rockies paid group shot.

Capitol Building 

We got 5 mins to wander on the capitol lawn and enjoy the view … it was beautiful and in some ways a much more poignant building than the white house. The interesting thing the President is not allowed inside the building because it is legislature building. We could have gone in but because it was a public holiday it was closed to visitors.

Capitol Building 

We had to tip the guide and to be honest she was not great… so she only got $2 when you are supposed to tip $5 to $10 for the city guides. She had no personality to her while she was great with her facts and figures it was not delivered well.  It is funny even before I trained in all of this that I still recognised that fact.

Capitol Building 

Once on the bus I quickly got changed into my walking gear because I knew that the holocaust museum was a 30min walk because it was off the mall a fair bit.  I ended up however during the changing process with a massive bruise because Steve went too hard over a bump… ouchies.  

Day 30 - Afternoon in Washington

Steve and Christina gave us directions but when we got to where we followed their directions though there was no white house.  So we ran into the others from the group and they set us straight.

The security gate to the White House - remember all the symbols
in Washington have special significance.
Just wonder what this one means

We were also joined by the lovely Sandra and Malcolm but Sandra had a bad leg issue so we went on without her. Although I was very reluctant too but she ended up catching up with us at the end.

Flags are everywhere 

There were the usual amounts of excessive photo stops for Moi so it took us longer than what we thought also it was a lot warmer than we thought and me wishing I left the jacket on the bus.  Oh well that is what is all is about.  We finally made it to Pennsylvania Ave…  

White House with Sun Flare 

We went past the treasury building which was so beautiful with the roses and just the style of the building. There are some seriously amazing old buildings in Washington and some stunning architecture and I loved it.  

Needs no introduction 

We walked up to the white house near some very serious looking security staff and there were some people in front of us who asked if they could take a photo and were told in no uncertain terms NO!

Looking towards the Capitol Building  

We saw the white house which does really look like the movies and the best entertainment is the people’s reactions along with the protesters around the grounds.  We did the obligatory photos in front for all of us.  Then continued back along to the main downtown area which I never really realised how pretty it was with lots of fountains and squares along with many having inscriptions in the ground.

One of the many inscriptions in Washington  

We were going to try and climb the clock tower but we got through security line which was huge only to be told that the tower was not admitting guests until 2pm.  So I decided to leave the rif raf there and head to the Museum of American history.

Post office Tower  

It was such a beautiful day and we were conscious of the time because otherwise we would have been taking a cab back to the hotel in Alexandria.  So when I walked in I knew I had to work out fast what I wanted to do and see the most because given that it was a long weekend it was sooo busy.

First Lady Display at the Museum of American History 

So I tackled the Star Spangled banner but I had somehow switched my camera onto manual focus so that meant all the photos I snuck in there were ruined.  But I didn’t realise until later and when I went back the line was too long. But the banner is the original flag that was created I think during the civil war.  It is pretty much in tatters but it was the original one that Mary Pickersgill made which has only 15 stripes and 15 stars was originally created for Fort McHenry.

Michele Obama Dress 

After I tackled the star spangled banner I went to the First Lady dresses display and drooled over the beauty of the dresses with the intricate designs.  It was a display done really well.  I also realised that Michelle Obama is really tall and athletic.  While the Bush’s ladies style of dresses was very conservative and bit blah.  Hilary had a lot of style for the early nineties and I want some of the early dresses as mine.   Sarah Polley I think and Eleanor Roosevelt had some amazing dresses and were my favourites.

Sarah Polley Dress 

I also went to the pop culture exhibit which was so fun …  like Dumbo’s car from the original Disneyland ride, Dorothy’s shoes from Wizard of Oz, the Original Kermit the Frog, Fonzies Jacket, Peanuts cartoon etc. I also went to the war exhibit because I still didn’t really understand why they had the war of independence and civil war but after that I did understand.  There were so many significant events in each war the dates and facts are hard to keep straight but I managed it eventually.

Dumbo!   

I headed back and skipped lunch because I was too busy having fun but at least found an apple and a bottle of water and traipsed back to pick up the bus.  So walked back with some of the passengers from our tour as I bumped into them as I walking down the mall and It was fascinating to discuss with them how they manage their travel in doing tours along with retirement.

Dorothy Red Shoes  

Christina made the comment that is the first time we have all been back on the bus on time and god forbid early because obviously none of us wanted to be left behind.

Kermit  

We headed back to the hotel and they once again had put me on the floor with everyone else right next to the elevator so this time I went down to get moved because it was too much after having so many rough night’s sleep I needed to be away from the lift. 

Fonzie Jacket 

So I went down to see Christina and see if I could be moved.  She looked at me like uh oh when I said I had a problem but once I explained the situation she was fine because I was calm and very apoplectic about needing the change. This is how you deal with these situations people not yelling at your tour director. People are more than willing to help people who are polite and considerate.

Declaration of Independence 

 I got moved to a floor I think with no one else.  So I quickly unloaded and put a load of washing on then quickly went and got ready for dinner. It was our last dinner as a group so I was looking forward to it.

Photo of the First Star Spangled Banner  

But when I went back down the stupid wash wasn’t finished which annoyed one of the group members but there was nothing I could do because I had to leave because I was already running late because I had been down twice already to see if it was finished.  Then I realised I forgot my connector to the tripod but didn’t have time to run back for it.  So annoyed with myself for that. 

The centre court display at the National Museum of American History 

We went to dinner in this cute little place but everyone was separated so I ended up being last one in so I ended up with Marie, Heather and Neil which was really good but still would have been nice to be as one big group.  But I took photos of everyone and stayed out of most of them haha We went to the toilet with the frosted glass and I still swear that people could see in it…. That freaked me out.

Washington Monument  

We headed out to the illumination tour however, I did try to talk Steve into dropping by the hotel so I could go pick up the connector but no luck…  L

Outside the pick up point - National Gallery

We headed past the back of the white house but it looked like there was something happening because it was all lit up with lots of security and Christina said they might have had an engagement on for Columbus day the next day.  

National Gallery

Our first stop was the World War 2 monument and it was so beautiful all decorated with lights and the general feeling of reverence of the area it was perfect and respectful.

WW2 Monument  

We then headed over to Korea War Memorial which I had a feeling this was going to be extra special because Christina had really being looking forward to sharing it with us.  When she got us all there we gathered around Christina and she told us in hushed tones about the feeling of the memorial.  She told us of the story of the crawling through the jungle and the feeling, mood that she created was perfect. She did the story telling really well. Also explained the meaning behind the inscription “Freedom is not free” which is the United states way of expressing gratitude to those who have served. I can only hope that I do it as well as you did that night Christina.

Korea War memorial  

The photos weren’t great because I had to use the flash in order to get the photos.  We then were allowed to wander for a bit so I went with Malcolm and David to the Abraham memorial even though we were going to be stopping there tomorrow it was still cool to see it all lit up. It was busy but very hard to photograph during the night without the tripod…  Doh … I am just going to have to come back one day.  But we literally had 10 mins to see it which is not enough time but still it was beautiful.

Korea War memorial  

Our final monument was the Washington Monument and it looked great and so majestic of a night time.  The only monument that we didn’t get to visit which was a shame but hopefully next time.

Lincoln Monument 

We got back to the hotel relatively early so I was able to sort the washing out and get that finished.  Also I started to repack so I could manage my bags a bit easier arriving into NYC.  But I did prepare for the following day with a backup bag and my usual workout clothes because it was going to be 30 degrees walking around the city so I wanted to be a bit cooler than I was today. Also developed a plan of attack for the day as to what I wanted to see and I decided on the Smithosian Castle along with the Holocoust museum. This is the reason why this blog post has taken so long because I still remember the turning point of that day.  I have been avoiding…  

Day 30 - Pennsylvania then onto Washington

Amish Visit and then onto Washington 

Woke up feeling blah… as the alcohol had affected more than I realised given that it was only 1 and I think because we had been having such massive days the overall tiredness was getting the better of me. But in the rush to get ready this morning I forgot to take my migraine preventer and then it was too late...  I have a feeling Steve won’t be as nice as Salena in getting these off the bus.

Pins in the clothing 

We boarded to a chilly bus and waited for the usual lost passenger and this is where I took the opportunity to run off (yes run off the bus) to get some water after Christina told me not too… while she went to look for the missing guest. Whoopsies giggle…  shhh but don’t tell Christina…  ran back on after the machine REFUSED to take my money …stupid crinkled American $1 bill.  Vicki did make the comment that she was surprised I ran… yes I do it very very reluctantly but I do it …

Boys shoes  

So no water but everyone was very helpful… but I felt like a migraine was coming mainly because I think I was dehydrated and tired.  But we went the short distance down the road to the Amish house that we were visiting … it was so pretty and with the white picket fences and all.

The white picket Farmhouse  

We went inside and immediately got separated into women and men which is how they sit for many hours on a Sunday at church. Also this is how they prepare their meals with men separated from the women as they prepare the Sunday meal which is treated as a massive family and neighbourly affair every week. 

Parents Bedroom

We then moved upstairs and it was a bit hot up there and I started feel quite ill so I sat down but ended up tuning out half of what she said. But I did grab a brochure so I would remember everything she said. Because she said so much in such a short period of time. The most interesting fact I got from the visit is the fact that the Amish use pins to make their clothing my only question to that is … why not just sew them … I didn't get that one.

Family Cooking area  

Also I am not sure what the roller blades were doing in the boy’s room given that they shun modern technology. I still don’t agree what they do at rum springer is if the child chooses to live in the modern world they are completely shunned by their family.  I think that is not Christian so that to me goes against their values of Christian living.

the different types of clothing  

Also they only usually got married in November because that is when the harvest is completed and so the family has time to prepare with the ceremony usually on a Tuesday or weekday so it doesn’t interfere with the Sunday church preparations.

the Stone barn

We got to wander the farm after the tour of the house.  I was grateful for the fresh air.  It had some truly amazing quilts and the cool goat gate bridge.  It was a quaint little farm area with the beautiful stone of the main house.

the Amish Farmhouse 

We ducked into our first “Target” in the USA, I got some water and had a quick look around including at the Pizza hut inside the Target.  Yes that is right Pizza hut…  I wish I had brought some shorts like some of them because it was only getting warmer. I talked to Steve into getting into the bottom of the bus and getting the drugs out… somehow I was successful. With the comment of how many tablets do you take …I just told him that I need them to keep on looking young and beautiful..  he said well they work…  haha so the flirt continues …

Set for dinner 

We made our way to Washington and tried not hit to the Amish buggy on their way to Sunday services.  We got subjected to the infamous American president’s test …. I did BAD…  Needed Google and I refused to be ripped off by the data changes.  I solemnly swear never to subject my bus to THAT test.  Haha

Amish Buggy 

We arrived in Washington I think in like 1 ½ hours when it normally takes 2 hours so thanks Steve for the extra time.  The rif raf and I decided to hang together and walk to the white house.

The Travelling Shoes as the next big adventure awaits

While there is travelling pants – I have the travelling shoes… and yes they have pink on them…  One of my friends suggested I get a decent pair of walking shoes before I head overseas last year I did pooh and paaah over the expense and whether they were necessary. Also I like them to look decent and still like well not so much like a tourist. 

After the year that was the awfulness of 2009 and 2010 my fitness was one of the first things I had let slide so therefore my walking had fallen by the wayside.  So I sucked it up and decided to buy a pair of very expensive walking shoes.

After spending 7 hours looking for them with my trusty shoe shopping friend – I finally found a pair of Merrells because as it turns out I have a difficult foot to fit.  Although my trusty shoe shopping friend almost took the k2 extreme guy home with her because of his amazing eyes. Personally I loved his mix of Canadian and American accent along with the most beautiful intense green eyes I have seen.

 

That is the one thing I will remember about that day … the awful fitting of my feet, the K2 extreme guy and my first experience at Yum cha along with the valuable time with her.  These are the things that I will cherish as I travel around the world.

So back to the shoes, I ended up getting from the states because they were $250 here and in the end I think I paid $180 for them because of the buying agent commission and freight to here. So they travelled from the USA to my hands via UPS which only took 5 days I was so excited when they finally arrived and I was wearing around our factory and office looking like a big nerd head.

So these beautiful chocolate brown with pink/raspberry stripes fitted my feet perfectly never gave me blisters, never hurt my feet – I was in love. Wore them walking the 45 mins it used to take me to walk to work with no sore feet, I was in heaven.

 

So from the get go with the trip especially on the plane I wore them… so comfy and didn’t hurt my feet, I was walking on air.

They travelled on my feet with me as I made my first tentative steps onto USA soil and then 4 hours later onto Canadian soil. They were on my feet as I started my adventures through downtown Vancouver, Horseshoe Bay, Granville Markets, Gastown, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mountain and so many more places in Vancouver. While my feet were killing me by the Monday after I had arrived that was more about carrying so much weight on me along with the backpack.  So the shoes can’t be blamed for that.

 

These shoes have seen me walk on snow covered walkways in Banff, got snowed on in Jasper, Rafting down the Athabasca river in Jasper, drinking glacier water on the Columbia Icefields at the Athabasca  Glacier. What adventure they have seen and still more was to come.

 

My first steps on USA soil but on the actually soil instead of the concrete at the airport.  My grumpy day leaving Vancouver for New York, the delights of Upstate New York and Connecticut and through to my first steps into the city that never sleeps in New York. They were excited as I was.

 

Then the first experience of Times Square along with Brooklyn I think they were overwhelmed just to be there and experiencing New York along with me.  Then beginning the new tour and meeting all the wonderful tour people with me. Experiencing hot and humid Boston with me but hating the humidity as much as me but yet carrying me lovingly around Boston.

 

Then wandering around the beautiful Québec but not liking how I got treated as much as me but surprisingly enough we have discussed it and I would go back again.  They travelled with me as I got to experience more of Montreal than what was planned.  My beautiful sunshine in Ottawa and lazy afternoon in Toronto along with the true awesomeness of Niagara along with my very first helicopter ride which they were very proud of me for doing it.

 

Then back into USA soil and the delights of Amish country along with seeing the white house and discovering the delights of Washington with the Rif Raf. Along with the heartbreak of the holocaust museum, then a fun night in Ole town Alexandria with the beautiful Christina, we laughed, cried, lamented about our lives and which we both have since changed them … so it was a significant nite.

 

Then headed with me as I saw the liberty bell and then finally ecstatic to be arriving back in New York and were with me as I said goodbye to my newfound friends and those who had touched my heart. The shoes were probably happier than me to be back in NYC but they adventured along with me as I discovered the delights of NYC from the Empire State building, Central Park, Rockefeller centre, times square, riverside park, the upper west side, the Laundromat, meeting strangers on corners in NOHO, discovering the delights of the strand bookshop.

 

They followed me home – very sadly just as sad as I was to be returning home because I think the shoes knew that it would be a long time before I headed back overseas and that they would just up in the back of the cupboard.

But as I am embark on the next big adventure they are very happy that we are heading back to the USA but since I have been back they have seen me thru the redundancy and the walking I did to decompress, back to counselling, to Sting concert with my beautiful sister and Rose. So they have been adventuring with me the whole time. Just not as much as before sadly.  They have missed me … as I have prepared for the garage sale they have been my trusting shoe support. I sat there last Sunday bored reflecting on the journey that the shoes and I have taken together. Also the journey that we are about it embark on and the new career that I will be changing to along with the shoes.

 

Wow what a year it has been. This time last year I was not in a good place and it was getting worse and worse, the only way I saw of digging myself out of it was to go away. So I made it happen and came back a better person (well I think so) so the shoes will journey as I discover another part of me. Mind you if these shoes could really talk...  I would be in a lot of trouble for some of the mischief we got up to together. 

But what happens when I wear them out?  I will just remember what a magical time we had together.  So bon voyage from me as I prepare to head back to the other home… the good ole US of A.