Spring Break 2009

Ok, this is more than a little late (in part due to multiple issues with Blogger), but I figured I ought to blog about my spring break this year, for posterity's sake if anything.

I spent Spring break this year on a week-long trip to Washington, D.C and Philadelphia, the former of which I enjoyed very much because of the numerous free museums and government buildings/historical monuments that I visited, including

Unfortunately, to actually tour the White House, one has to sign up six months in advance apparently. And, for foreigners, we need to approval from our embassy as well. What a hassle. I'll wait for my invitation someday. :P

Fortunately, gaining access to Capitol Hill proved tedious, but not impossible, so we managed to visit the US Capitol, the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court.

Tatiana and I in front of the huge Capitol building (which houses the legislative branch of the US government).

Zoomed-in shot of the Capitol dome from inside the building.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office that we walked past! (Ms. Pelosi, stay strong on the healthcare public option!)

Statues of congressmen, such as this one, are placed in the touristy section of the building (the only parts we were allowed access to.)

Next up is the Library of Congress, which is linked via underpass to the Capitol. It houses the largest book collection in the world, including

The Gutenberg Bible

Tati and I inside the Library. We didn't actually step into the area where the books are held (though it is possible to).

Next up is the US Supreme Court. At this point, I just want to note that though these buildings are near each other, a lot of walking has to be done to get from one to another!

The Court looking like some Greek temple, its columns regal.

Obligatory posing inside the building. The Court was in recess at that point, so there wasn't a chance of us attending a hearing, but we learned from the tour that there is a basketball court above the court!

Ok, a change of scenery as we head to the outdoors...

for some street-style horse racing (or rather, it was a St. Paddie's Day parade)

C'est moi (unrotated) in front of the Washington Monument.

This is a view from up inside the Monument. What you see is the National Mall (I know right, not quite Ion Orchard), which is a huge-ass park with govt buildings/museums lined on either side and at the end, the Capitol.

Another view from inside the monument. If you caught President Obama's inauguration this year, then you might find this pic familiar. This is the reflecting pool leading up to the Lincoln Memorial where Obama was sworn in as president. I guess they only fill it up with water when there's an event? So yeah, not so picturesque like this.

Up close with the larger than life Lincoln at his memorial.

So, Lincoln aside, guess which are the other two great American presidents to be memorialised?

One is of course first president, George Washington.

The other is war president and New Deal founder Franklin Roosevelt, here pictured with his beloved, iconic pooch.

Leaving history aside, here're some non-monumental shots of D.C.

A cavernous D.C metro station.

A row of buildings right opposite the White House. Prime real estate. Most of downtown D.C. looks like this - historical-looking buildings that have obviously been spruced up, which makes everything look v. nice and pretty, but also makes it look artificial. You need some dirt/grime for authenticity, least that's how I feel.

D.C's Chinatown, which, unlike say Manhattan's that is located in an untrendy area, is situated right in the heart of downtown D.C.

Team Obama/Biden do their part to boost the sagging economy. I wonder if Bush/Cheney merch sold as well.

Like I said, museums were a big part of my travel itinerary. One that left a great impression was the Holocaust Museum, where of course I did not really take any pics. Then, there was the Museum of American History...

where we all got to be POTUS.

Diorama with history, I think.

V. cool vintage war propaganda posters.

Dumbo's an integral part of American history, yo.

Posing in front of the 'Berlin Wall'.

Next up, some cool-looking stuff from the Air & Space Museum.



Ok, I'm tired of uploading pics, so I shall end with a shot of us attempting to pose all *nonchalantly* in some Louvre-like structure outside the National Gallery.

Keep it mind that though it was 'spring', it was pretty darn cold!

Bill and George say goodbye!

Part II of this post will be the trip to Philly, but from past experience (last Spring Break, where I blogged a Pt. 1 about my visit to Boston, but was too lazy to blog about Montreal/Quebec), said post is unlikely to happen.