Washington DC - Capital of the Free World (!?)
I commented on the history of Philadelphia previously, Washington DC is a completely different place. It's newer but it's more important. Not only does it look more important, it feels more important. People stride about with far more purpose than in Philly.
Though I enjoyed the laidback style of Philly, the Washington humdrum is exciting in its unique way. Traffic is atrocious, walking is faster than driving at 5pm at night and there are police and fire trucks EVERYWHERE, car horns are used with abandon and it's never quiet.
Except on the Mall.
The Mall contains some of America's most "sacred" memorials. The Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial (see photo right), the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, the World War II Memorial and the Washington Monument (the pointy photo). If America does anything besides steaks and ribs well, it's symbolism and connecting their history with their present and future. Americans have a great understanding of their history, where they have come from as a nation and although this has meant they think America is the only place on Earth (again stereotyping), they know and love their country.
Quite simply, Australians know very little about their own country. We might criticise Americans for not knowing about the rest of the world, but for goodness sake, I think far too many Australians know too little about our own history. How come we keep moaning that Australia has no history and yet we don't think America has no history even though it's a scant 100 years or so older? It's because we haven't braced our past and instead try to ignore it - to our detriment I believe.
Anyhow, how is my rant relevant? Well, the historical sites and clamour to reclaim sites because of their historical purpose has generated huge amounts of tourism and fascination. To illustrate this,
I'll talk about Mt Vernon.
Mt Vernon was George Washington's estate. He inherited from his father and then older brother and now it has become a bit of a national shrine to the man himself, particularly as he is buried along with his wife in a tomb on the estate. The mansion which has this most wonderful view over the Potomac River has been restored so carefully, it has about 40% original furniture in it. Fat chance of Edmund Barton's house being kept up to date.
That aside, I've been to the major Washington attractions, the notable exception being the museum I most wanted to see, the Smithsonian Museum of American History - which has been closed for renovations until 2008 - GRRR!!!! The National Air and Space Museum is really quite incredible - the amount of detail and the care with which they've designed the exhibits is astounding. They've hung World War II fighter planes from the roof and have a display cabinet carrying every single type of aerial ammunition used by the major air forces in World War II. They have an original Lunar Module that was used as a backup for Aldrin and Armstrong - and other remarkable things - and of course, the 1903 Wright Flyer.
It's an easy city to navigate around - I wish Sydney was like this. Streets are numbered and lettered - the higher the number and letter the further you are from the Capitol - easy.
It's supposed to snow tonight (30% chance) and I'm train-ing to New York, so your prayers are appreciated. The wind coming off the Potomac River is very very sharp - and walking to the Jefferson Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial was very very cold.
Though I enjoyed the laidback style of Philly, the Washington humdrum is exciting in its unique way. Traffic is atrocious, walking is faster than driving at 5pm at night and there are police and fire trucks EVERYWHERE, car horns are used with abandon and it's never quiet.
Except on the Mall.
The Mall contains some of America's most "sacred" memorials. The Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial (see photo right), the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, the World War II Memorial and the Washington Monument (the pointy photo). If America does anything besides steaks and ribs well, it's symbolism and connecting their history with their present and future. Americans have a great understanding of their history, where they have come from as a nation and although this has meant they think America is the only place on Earth (again stereotyping), they know and love their country.
Quite simply, Australians know very little about their own country. We might criticise Americans for not knowing about the rest of the world, but for goodness sake, I think far too many Australians know too little about our own history. How come we keep moaning that Australia has no history and yet we don't think America has no history even though it's a scant 100 years or so older? It's because we haven't braced our past and instead try to ignore it - to our detriment I believe.
Anyhow, how is my rant relevant? Well, the historical sites and clamour to reclaim sites because of their historical purpose has generated huge amounts of tourism and fascination. To illustrate this,
I'll talk about Mt Vernon.Mt Vernon was George Washington's estate. He inherited from his father and then older brother and now it has become a bit of a national shrine to the man himself, particularly as he is buried along with his wife in a tomb on the estate. The mansion which has this most wonderful view over the Potomac River has been restored so carefully, it has about 40% original furniture in it. Fat chance of Edmund Barton's house being kept up to date.
That aside, I've been to the major Washington attractions, the notable exception being the museum I most wanted to see, the Smithsonian Museum of American History - which has been closed for renovations until 2008 - GRRR!!!! The National Air and Space Museum is really quite incredible - the amount of detail and the care with which they've designed the exhibits is astounding. They've hung World War II fighter planes from the roof and have a display cabinet carrying every single type of aerial ammunition used by the major air forces in World War II. They have an original Lunar Module that was used as a backup for Aldrin and Armstrong - and other remarkable things - and of course, the 1903 Wright Flyer.
It's an easy city to navigate around - I wish Sydney was like this. Streets are numbered and lettered - the higher the number and letter the further you are from the Capitol - easy.
It's supposed to snow tonight (30% chance) and I'm train-ing to New York, so your prayers are appreciated. The wind coming off the Potomac River is very very sharp - and walking to the Jefferson Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial was very very cold.
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