Places of interest.

Washington DC is by far America's most majestic city. Beauty abounds here in so many forms. It's hard to visit Washington DC without gaining inspiration at some point, and if one leaves the city without a certain pride and loyalty, I speculate one has missed the point and perhaps has not paid attention at all. Washington DC is the most magnificent city in the US in that no other city more readily and enthusiastically celebrates... well, celebrates America! Sure, other cities have monuments and memorials that evoke patriotism, like the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia or the Statue of Liberty in New York City, but only Washington DC is dominated by these icons. You can scarcely look anywhere in D.C. and not see some monument, or gift, or remembrance, or tribute to someone or something.

Washington is a truly remarkable city. Most cities are strewn with hundreds and thousands of skyscraping buildings jetting non-scenically into the sky above. You won't find that in Washington DC. There's a city ordinance that prohibits such Goliath structures, making for a scene that resembles more a rural theme-park than an industrial state. Supposedly, when L'EnFant laid the plans for Washington DC, he designing it in the mold of Paris, complete with grassy fields, long reflecting pools, and a sense of beauty that would be lost in an urbanized relative. Unfortunately, he never saw his brilliant plans come to pass, dying penniless and poor, in the city he loved. Some years ago, his remains were moved to a special location in Arlington National Cemetery. The new site lies on a hill across the Potomac opposite the monuments, where his grave forever gazes upon his completed vision.

The largest and arguably the grandest monument in Washington DC is the Washington monument. There aren't many places in the main portion of the district (at least in Northwest D.C.) where you can't catch a glimpse of the Washington monument looming somewhere in the distance. It's a marvelous site. It's the simplicity and size that grabs you. It's not nearly as impressive from a distance as it is when approached on foot. It's the scale that's alarming. Giant brick-like pieces slotted together with incredible precision rising straight to the heavens. One cannot help but wonder how the structure stays intact so strong and so unwavering.

White House. In fact, I find it quite boring. I guess there's not much to do over near where the White House is located. Never less, I think I'm disinterested with the White House due to its lack of interactivity. True, it's beautiful. True, it's the home of the president. True, it's behind a huge electric gate that will shock the living daylights out of anyone who tries to climb over it. Most of the other monuments you can walk in (or at least near.) As for the White House, one can only get within a hundred yards or so and even then one has to stare at it through steel bars. It certainly takes away from the experience.

Right next door to the White House is the United States Department of the Treasury. This building may not be the kind of structure that grabs and holds your attention, but I find it interesting. The US Department of the Treasury is the same building you will find on the back of a ten dollar note which should give it a certain degree of familiarity. Yet, it stands in relative obscurity among the other city buildings nearby.

National Archive building. It lies halfway down the mall on a sidestreet between the Washington Monument and Capitol Hill. The National Archive is truly awesome. Its vaults permanently house and protect the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights among other items of interest. These items are on display by day and are lowered into the 50-ton vault by night. Once in the vault, they are said to be protected from vandals, terrorists, and/or nuclear attack.

The National Archive is impressively large. I find it's massive "boxed" structure imposing to say the least. It's even intimidating. I find it in the same vein as a huge cage. When one sees such a cage, one can't help but wonder what monstrosity it holds. I guess it makes a certain degree of sense that the most important of US documents would be presented in such a way.

At the east end of the mall is Capitol Hill. The U.S. Capitol Building houses both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. It's another huge structure, quite typical of Washington DC. As it is with most monuments in Washington, the approach on foot is a key element as it serves to aid the appreciation of the monument. Many of the monuments are strategically found on hills and therefore are much more impressive when one strolls leisurely up to such an edifice.

The Capitol also sits behind a large reflecting pool. This is another technique used in the district to multiply the beauty of several attractions. The Capitol is a relaxing building. It reminds me of an upper-middle class man on holiday. The Capitol sits leisurely spread out on a hill, overlooking the mall area. If the Capitol had a face, I'm sure it would have a small content grin.

In front of the Capitol are beautiful, large, shade trees and a grassy field perfect for a picnic blanket and a lazy afternoon nap. The squirrels here are so uninhibited, they will literally eat right out of your hands. There's a wonderful feeling of relaxation at this site, quite a contrast to the atmosphere usually found inside the Capitol on the floors of the House and Senate. That's part of the irony on the Capitol building.

Across the street from the Capitol building is the Supreme Court. The original Supreme Court is no longer in existence. The justices used to meet in a Washington DC pub. They would sit around and hear arguments and then settle disputes when the need arose. These were during the more informal days of U.S. government. Eventually, someone put in the budget enough money to build a more permanent and dignified monument to the judicial process and it stands proudly and firmly on this site.

The Supreme Court is another very beautiful building. It's firm in its appearance, but not harsh or overbearing. A perfect fit for what it's supposed to represent. The summit of the front of the Supreme Court contains a triangular arch depicting a frieze of several judges, under which is engraved the words in bold print: " Equal Justice Under Law. "

The Jefferson Memorial is one of the more unique monuments in Washington DC. It's a small, circular, domed building with absolutely gorgeous columns and an attractive view of the Potomac River. The Jefferson sits on the section of D.C. known as the tidal basin that contains an inlet surrounded by the world famous Washington DC cherry blossoms. It's a very quaint area known for it's simplistic beauty. It makes for a nice stroll in the evening, especially in the spring when the blossoms are in full bloom.

The Lincoln Memorial is walking distance from the Jefferson, located near the tidal basin at the east end of the mall. Its grandeur can be especially felt as one views it when crossing the Arlington National Cemetery Bridge on their way into the city. It's for that reason alone that I always choose to enter Washington DC using that particular causeway.

The Lincoln Memorial sits behind a long, rectangular reflecting pool, which creates a most tranquil atmosphere. The Lincoln Memorial has an intriguing sharp-cornered design with the engraved names of every state along the top border. Unfortunately, the placid environment is squandered.

National Zoo. Lions, and tigers, and bears oh my! And giraffes, hippos, pandas, elephants, and prairie dogs too. The National Zoological Park is located in the northern section of Washington, D.C., approximately twenty minutes from the National Mall by subway, on a 163 acre park. The Zoo is home to more than 5000 animals and over 500 species of animals many of which are very rare. Approximately twenty five percent of the animals at the Zoo are on the endangered species list. Many of the animals in the Zoo are not exhibited elsewhere in the United States. The Zoo is home to only Komodo Dragons in the United States.

In addition the National Zoo has computer literate orangatangs in the "Think Tank", a unique overhead orangatang transportation system, the Pollinarium, dedicated to the complex interactions between plants and animals, "Amazonia", the reptile discovery center, and more.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-29