Today is the first time since I have been here that it has been fully sunny and rather warm. My agenda today is to cover the Capitol Hill and the adjoining Library of Congress.
Again it is quite a trek from where I am located and apparently it is widely known that Washington DC is a city meant for walking. I think I am beginning to get that!
Along the way up Pennsylvania Avenue, I saw some interesting landmarks. There was the Old Post Office which is now one of the federal government buildings.
The J Edgar Hoover FBI Building - extremely nondescript. I suppose it makes sense to have the building be as invisible as possible.
United States Navy Memorial
National Archives
Capitol Hill
The landmark building and surrounds stand out with the statue of Freedom standing right at the top of the rotunda. When I got there I wasn't even sure if I could get a tour of the Capitol. I have been trying to book a tour online for the past couple of days and it kept saying there were no spaces available.
 |
| The rear of Capitol Hill |
 |
| The view from the rear |
First port of call was to check into the Visitor Center. That's where I went through the tight security. It was at that point we were told there was to be no water or liquid allowed into the building. So I had to chuck out my freshly bought bottled water. What a waste but I didn't want to risk my chance of entering the building. Good thing I poured the water over a bed of plants so that way nature got its water back in a good way.
 |
| The front view |
 |
| The Visitor Center |
Then I queued at the Public Walk Up line to see if I could get a ticket for the tour. Yay! Got it and the first thing we do is to watch an orientation movie which lasts for about 13 minutes.
Then a guide takes the group to certain parts of the Capitol. We were in the Crypt room (even though no one has ever been buried in this room), then on to the Rotunda and then we went to the Statuary Room. The guide was very informative and I was trying to take in all the information she was imparting plus absorbing all the paintings, statues and views around me. The Rotunda was spectacular.
 |
| In the Crypt Room |
 |
| In the Crypt Room |
 |
| In the Crypt Room |
 |
| The Rotunda |
 |
| The Rotunda |
 |
| The Rotunda |
