Washington DC Day 5
Today was a wonderful, exasperating, and incredibly long day! We began with an early morning, meeting in the lobby at 715 in order to take a tour of The Capitol Building. It is just so...stunning. I mean, who comes up with the frescoes on the wall in the rotunda and the intricate architectural designs on the outside. It's something I'd certainly never be able to dream up, myself.
The room past the rotunda that was the original House Chamber Building was equally stunning and was built with a specific shape so the acoustics would work properly to casually throw voices to each other from across the room. Our little guide demonstrated and it was AWESOME to see it in action. After, we walked to the Supreme Court Building and the chamber was, unfortunately, closed for maintenance for the month, so we visited Marsha Blackburns office instead and got passes to see the Senate and House chambers. On our way back to the Capitol, we stopped off in an office and met Henny the dog! Haha. He was just a little pup that people could pop in and visit if you'd like! The Senate chambers were pretty neat, but the people working there were really rude and we just decided to head on over to ONE OF THE COOLEST places that I've ever been: THE PENTAGON.
Like, I still can't believe that we were actually there. The security was super hype, like the guards had machine guns, and the place was absolutely huge! We were guided by a marine who gave us a brief history of the military branches and introduced us to the Pentagon's self sustainability. It can last up to 6 months on its own, as it is fully equipped with three cafeteria food courts, a dentist's office, a laundromat, post office, and countless other necessities. Truly, it's extraordinary. Perhaps the most meaningful part, of course, was the 9/11 memorial room that is set up at the precise point of impact. It's a beautiful room with the names of the 184 victims (both plane and Pentagon) inscripted on two wide plaques, as well as a book for visitors to write in that is bound and sent to the victims families upon completion. Even more loving than this was the outside memorial. It is composed of an ok individual marble bench that has a pool of running water beneath it that stops at precisely 9:37 AM every morning for a moment of silence for the people lost. It's just....
After leaving the Pentagon, we walked to find food (HALLELUJAH) that ended up being terrible and expensive (for me at least, boo.). And then took off to my favorite part of the day, Arlington National Cemetery. Unfortunately, we walked and walked and walked and didn't get there so we had to walk and walk some more. Finally,after about three miles and many frustrating thoughts later, we ended at the beautiful rolling hills of the graveyard. It was worth all that walking and sore feet. Elizabeth and I took off together with three goals to see in the next 1.5 hours - JFK grave, Lee's House, and the Tomb of the Unknowns. We made it to all of them and let me say, I have never been more moved than I was at Kennedy's plot. I know so much more about him and his family than before, and have read so much information that I feel I almost know him personally. I know that he was a good man, a good person who may have been a bit cavalier in his personal life, yet loved his family. And he loved his country. That's someone we need back. Someone who will dedicate themselves to someone else and stay at it, committing to making them better and not stopping until their full potential is reached. That's what a president should do, right? The changeing of the Guard is always an inspiring sight, and today was no different. To be there and do that, I can't imagine what an honor it must be. Truly, I have the utmost respect for it.
By this time, the cemetery had closed so we headed back to the hotel area, where me, Elizabeth, and Davis got dinner at Chilis. Now, I'm exhausted and have sore feet. But it's been worth it. Love everyone!
The room past the rotunda that was the original House Chamber Building was equally stunning and was built with a specific shape so the acoustics would work properly to casually throw voices to each other from across the room. Our little guide demonstrated and it was AWESOME to see it in action. After, we walked to the Supreme Court Building and the chamber was, unfortunately, closed for maintenance for the month, so we visited Marsha Blackburns office instead and got passes to see the Senate and House chambers. On our way back to the Capitol, we stopped off in an office and met Henny the dog! Haha. He was just a little pup that people could pop in and visit if you'd like! The Senate chambers were pretty neat, but the people working there were really rude and we just decided to head on over to ONE OF THE COOLEST places that I've ever been: THE PENTAGON.
Like, I still can't believe that we were actually there. The security was super hype, like the guards had machine guns, and the place was absolutely huge! We were guided by a marine who gave us a brief history of the military branches and introduced us to the Pentagon's self sustainability. It can last up to 6 months on its own, as it is fully equipped with three cafeteria food courts, a dentist's office, a laundromat, post office, and countless other necessities. Truly, it's extraordinary. Perhaps the most meaningful part, of course, was the 9/11 memorial room that is set up at the precise point of impact. It's a beautiful room with the names of the 184 victims (both plane and Pentagon) inscripted on two wide plaques, as well as a book for visitors to write in that is bound and sent to the victims families upon completion. Even more loving than this was the outside memorial. It is composed of an ok individual marble bench that has a pool of running water beneath it that stops at precisely 9:37 AM every morning for a moment of silence for the people lost. It's just....
After leaving the Pentagon, we walked to find food (HALLELUJAH) that ended up being terrible and expensive (for me at least, boo.). And then took off to my favorite part of the day, Arlington National Cemetery. Unfortunately, we walked and walked and walked and didn't get there so we had to walk and walk some more. Finally,after about three miles and many frustrating thoughts later, we ended at the beautiful rolling hills of the graveyard. It was worth all that walking and sore feet. Elizabeth and I took off together with three goals to see in the next 1.5 hours - JFK grave, Lee's House, and the Tomb of the Unknowns. We made it to all of them and let me say, I have never been more moved than I was at Kennedy's plot. I know so much more about him and his family than before, and have read so much information that I feel I almost know him personally. I know that he was a good man, a good person who may have been a bit cavalier in his personal life, yet loved his family. And he loved his country. That's someone we need back. Someone who will dedicate themselves to someone else and stay at it, committing to making them better and not stopping until their full potential is reached. That's what a president should do, right? The changeing of the Guard is always an inspiring sight, and today was no different. To be there and do that, I can't imagine what an honor it must be. Truly, I have the utmost respect for it.
By this time, the cemetery had closed so we headed back to the hotel area, where me, Elizabeth, and Davis got dinner at Chilis. Now, I'm exhausted and have sore feet. But it's been worth it. Love everyone!
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