Our first stop of the day - The White House.
We left Days Inn hotel around 10:15 am and took Red Metro from Van Ness UDC Station to Metro Centre Station, 5 stops away. Along our short stroll from metro station to The White House, we felt a sense of tranquility and order, perhaps too rigid and strict, but without the jumble and chaos we witnessed in other metropolitans like San Francisco and New York City.
Definitely the cleaner part of the USA
The Treasury Department - an integral office managing the US Government's finances and resources, while protecting the integrity of the US financial system
(as appeared on the back of the U.S. $20 note)
The White House is the oldest public building in the District of Columbia, and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is the most famous address in the United States. Here every President, except George Washington, has conducted the government of the Nation. Since 1792, the White House has become symbolic of the American Presidency throughout the world. While the Capitol represents the freedom and ideals of the Nation, the White House stands for the power and statesmanship of the Chief Executive.
Statue of the Marquis de Lafayette (1891)
The iconic French military leader's involvement was crucial in securing victory in the American Revolutionary War
With the people crowding in light of Indian Prime Minister Modi's visit to the White House, we figured we would not be able to soak in the majestic feel of the White House, which had survived many trials and tribulations in terms of the Washington Burning as well as several renovation works.
So we walked around towards the southern facade, the one that most of us were more familiar with.
So we walked around towards the southern facade, the one that most of us were more familiar with.
The southern facade with a semi circular portico facing The Ellipse
Following his April 1789 inauguration, President George Washington occupied executive mansions in New York City, followed by the one in Philadelphia, while the Federal City was under construction.
On November 1, 1800, John Adams became the first President to occupy the White House.
The National Christmas Tree
It is a large evergreen tree located in the northeast quadrant of The Ellipse near the White House. Each year since 1923, the tree has been decorated as a Christmas Tree. Every December, the tree is lit by the President of the United States. Since 1954, the event has marked the start of month-long festivities known as the Pageant of Peace.
We then moved onto the Washington Monument- an obelisk on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate George Washington, once commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the first President of the United States.
Located east of the Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial, this monument made of marble and granite is both the world's tallest stone structure and the world's tallest obelisk, at 554 feet.
Despite the start of construction in 1848, the final structure was only completed in 1888.
While the Washington Monument was nothing short of magnificent to celebrate a man with such a solid character, we felt humbled by the massive structure of the National World War II Memorial. It oozed out the sober ambience, which somehow blocked out the inconsequential chatter.
Opened in 2004, the memorial consists of 56 granite pillars, each 17 feet tall, arranged in a semicircle around a plaza with two triumphal arches on opposite sides.
The Price of Freedom
The Pacific Theatre / The Pacific Arch
We then plodded down the road along the Reflecting Pool, with full intention of visiting the Lincoln Memorial. However, it was 1:30pm and our tummies was grumbling quite audibly. Could you believe that there were no restaurant in the Mall vicinity and around all the ministries?!!!
We didn't know where to go and were felt so blessed when we came upon food stand which sold hot dogs and pretzel. While it wasn't a satisfying meal, we woofed it down on the roadside and calmed our stomach enough to continue our excursion to the Smithsonian Museums.
I absolutely adore the autumn colors!
During our food hunt, we walked past the Washington Monument again, this time with clear blue sky as its backdrop. The cloudy sky from this morning just wasn't so conducive for photo-taking, so I made Mister take photos again, despite our growling tummies :D
We didn't know where to go and were felt so blessed when we came upon food stand which sold hot dogs and pretzel. While it wasn't a satisfying meal, we woofed it down on the roadside and calmed our stomach enough to continue our excursion to the Smithsonian Museums.
Stay tuned!
Adios!
xoxo
Miss N
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