After an exciting journey by Greyhound bus from New York (no idea what the bus driver had smoked or otherwise ingested because he was singing or talking on his cell phone the whole time, which, as we all know, is strictly forbidden here in the USA) we reached the capital of the United States of America.
After arriving at the hotel, we made a first foray through the park and looked for something edible, which we also found at one of the numerous food trucks. We decided on hot dogs because the other things we could somehow not quite define or the content seemed strange to us.
Freshly strengthened, we could now go on a discovery tour and let the numerous impressive and important buildings and monuments affect us.
Washington Monument
This marble tower, located on a hill on the National Mall, is on a connecting straight between the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. It was built in honor of the first president of the United States of America, George Washington. The monument’s reflection can be seen from the Lincoln Memorial in the so-called Reflecting Pool, a large pool of water at the foot of the hill.
Lincoln Memorial
The monument was built in honor of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.
The 36 columns symbolize the 36 states that formed the United States during Lincoln’s term. Later, the names of the other 12 U.S. states were carved around the roof of the monument, and lastly, two plaques on the ground followed for the newest states.
On the wall above the head of the statue is the following text:
IN THIS TEMPLE
AS IN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE
FOR WHOM HE SAVED THE UNION
THE MEMORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
IS ENSHRINED FOREVER
The five-dollar bill also features this monument, as does Abraham Lincoln.
Capitol
This is the seat of the Congress of the United States of America. Sessions of the Senate and the House of Representatives are held in it. In the building, there are many works of art related to the history of the USA.
The White House
This is the official residence and seat of government of the President of the United States (whether you like him or not).
Stars and starlets
And it’s hard to believe, but some stars and starlets have also found their way to this great city.
National Archives Building
The National Archives Building houses important documents, some of which are on display. For example, one can view the Declaration of Independence of 1776, The Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of the United States as original copies.
Arlington National Cemetery
Another important excursion was the visit to the nearby National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Here, a ceremony is held regularly to commemorate the soldiers, and there are also the gravesites of some celebrities such as J.F.Kennedy. There are also numerous monuments and memorials to explore here.
After three days in Washington, which by the way, were much too little, we went back to New York, where we spent the last evening in a hotel in the city center and took another walk to the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid before we went to the airport the next day in the Maserati.