We got up at 730 this AM, and headed down to see the Congress. Easy to catch trains, but it snowed all last night. Big snow in the Northeast, but we got the tip of it. And the temperature dropped dramatically. It was very, very cold this AM on the walk to the subway. That was a cold, long mile. We survived, but we were super happy to get in to the underground. Most places had done a great job of cleaning off the sidewalks, and the rising sun felt very nice. The wait in line to get into the Capitol building was a bit harsh, but, better than the summer heat. The tour of the Capitol was decent, but not as inclusive as I would have expected. The key to the tour is just the statues. We did not get to see the chambers, nor go much further than the rotunda. Maybe with a special invite from a member of Congress, it would be a more inclusive tour. Fun, just the same.
Hungry on the way out, we decided to ignore the Supreme Court tour. Just took a quick photo in front (and right outside of the doors of the Capitol. The Library of Congress is another beautiful structure. Too cold to attempt to find a tour through, but maybe next time. We ended up walking to a Subway restaurant down the way (it was on the 2nd story). Five dollar foot longs go a long way. Half for lunch, and the other half for dinner.
Walking to the National Mall, we dropped in (mainly to get warm) the National Botanical Gardens. Coolest little place, and perfect on a cold day. Decided to walk through, and my traveling partner fell in love with the designs. An artist took all natural elements (pinecones, nuts, bark) and created designs including the Eiffel Tower, the Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court building. Really cool.
Next, Native American Indian Museum. Curated by the tribes themselves the message was incredibly unique. Rather than having the story told by the government, or by a group of historians, instead, the many unique tribes are given a voice of their own. You will recognize the major players (Lakota, Cherokee, Powhatan) but no one is the belle of the ball. Different tribes are showcased, and allowed to tell their stories in their own unique way. This is unlike any museum I have ever seen, and is a success. Rather than telling the story of conquest and destruction (included in part, through the centralized theme, literally and figuratively centered on guns and treaties), the story is as much about present day, and about adaptations. The fight between Christianity and native traditions is another central theme. Focus on positives of the cultures, as well as the variety and uniqueness of cultures, rather than the negatives, blaming, and revisionism of history, the story carries even more weight. The museum stresses empowerment, not a handout.
Finally, we journeyed in to the Air and Space Museum for a quick look around. We spent a little over an hour on the first floor, but stayed mainly focused on the space program from moon landing to the shuttles. We will probably return tomorrow to see more. Some day, I will go to the other hangar, the one with the rest of the aircraft. Not this trip, though. Too far out to Dulles airport. Now, we are watching Netflix and warming up. Once the sun sets, its just too cold out. It was a good run. If he were older, we'd explore some more. But, too young to drink, and not interested in dancing. So, kick up the heels.
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