Politics, Plants, Monuments, and Maryland

Ok, so we didn't take the Metro today, after all. Still, we didn't bother trying to drive around town, either. Today, we walked in circles. We suspect that the people of D.C. (including the police officers) get some perverse pleasure out of giving the least direct directions possible. However, some of our misguided wandering turned out to be a good thing, as we stumbled upon some unexpected fun at the Department of Education. More on that in a few paragraphs.

We arrived mostly on time at Representative Kevin McCarthy's office for our scheduled tour of the U.S. Capitol. Victor and Kala waited in the congressman's office while Andy and Kizzy parked the car. Mr. McCarthy walked through and warmly greeted us, although he did not have time for a "stop and chat." That was ok, since Victor and Kala were still about half asleep, and doubt they would have found anything to say that would have been worth the congressman's time, anyway.

Once Andy and Kismet arrived, the four of us joined seven other tourists from California on a tour of the House side of the Capitol. Kismet, it turns out, is apparently not a big fan of Neoclassical architecture (especially when the security guards don't allow her to bring in a bottle), so Andy had to sit out most of the tour with her, but Kala and Victor visited the Court of Statues (which you know Andy hated to miss experiencing with Kala) and the House Gallery, from which Victor and Kala were able to sit and watch absolutely nothing happen. Oh, well. Andy had toured the Capitol before, and the sight of nothing happening in Congress is not all that unusual. Besides, he got to visit with the congressman while waiting for the tour group to return. How cool is that?

Kala and Victor really enjoyed and appreciated the tour, for which we thank Representative McCarthy and his aide, Brian Klotz.

On our way out of the House Office Building, we asked a nice-looking young lady (you never would have guessed her diabolical intentions from her cool exterior) for directions to the nearest dining establishment. She told us of a food court just downstairs, and then went on to mention a variety of restaurants just "down the block to the left." Well, since we were a bit tired of standard food court fare, we decided to mosey down the block to the left to find something more enticing. About 4,000 blocks (a slight exaggeration) and two new sets of directions later, we finally found a crowded, run-down McDonald's. By this time, it looked like heaven.

Having enjoyed the greasy, carb-laden goodness, we crossed the street to the U.S. Department of Education building, where every entrance had been decorated as a little red schoolhouse with the words "No Child Left Behind" emblazoned across the front. We couldn't pass up this opportunity to take a few fun pictures, which we know you will enjoy. We know you will enjoy them, because it is a federal mandate. Ok, it's not really. A federal mandate on humor would be as silly as a federal mandate on learning. Wait a minute... Ok, we'll put away the soapbox and step away from educational politics. For now.

After we had regained our strength, we headed back toward the Library of Congress, where our congressman's office had arranged another tour for us. On the way, we visited the U.S. Botanic Gardens, home to hundreds of familiar and exotic species of plants. There were medicinal plants, rare and endangered plants, a showcase of the world's deserts, jungles, and many more interesting examples of botanical treasures.

Our final tour of the day was of the Library of Congress. We were fascinated as our guide explained the significance of every detail of the ornately decorated building. She gave us a synopsis of the history of the creation, destruction, recreation, redestruction, and re-recreation (this time with fireproof materials) of the Library, and how the Librarians had shrewdly thought to require that two copies of every item seeking copyright be sent to them. Because of this requirement, the Library receives about 20,000 items each day, and gets to keep half. We were led to an overlook of the main reading room, where any registered researcher may read any book in the collection. Victor inquired about nearby colleges, thinking he might someday wish to conduct his own college research at the Library of Congress. Good kid!

From the Library, we took a cab (having had enough misdirection on foot for the day) to the Albert Einstein Memorial at the National Academy of Sciences. We had some fun climbing around on good ol' Al and then made our way to pay our respects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Many people had left flowers and flags to honor their loved ones, and someone had even left a little bottle of Jack Daniel's. It's always moving to visit the wall and see the names of those who died in service of their country.

From the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, we moved to the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Kala overheard a tour guide giving an interesting talk about the significance of some aspects of the Memorial. He said that there are 19 soldiers recreated as statues so that together with the 19 reflected back by the wall they total 38, the parallel that divides North and South Korea.

Our final sightseeing stop of the day was at the Lincoln Memorial. You can't go to Washington and not visit President Lincoln! The elevator at the Memorial was out of order, so Kismet and Kala waited at the bottom while Andy and Victor climbed the stairs and explored the monument. This was a wonderful way to conclude our day in D.C.

After a long day of touring, we dragged our tired bodies back to Union Station, where our car was parked, and had dinner at Uno Chicago Grill (formerly Pizzeria Uno). We love their pizza skins, but hardly ever get to have them, since there's no Uno anywhere near us at home. Kismet even liked the potato from the appetizer. Of course, Kismet loves potatoes in any form!

We finished our dinner, located our minivan (after a small amount of excitement over a revolving door, a closing pharmacy, and a broken elevator) and set out for Williamsburg once again. Kala almost immediately took a wrong exit, sending us on a bonus tour through suburban Maryland, but we eventually found our way back home. It's after one o'clock in the morning now, and we have to be up again at six, so nighty-night!