Saturday's weather forecast for DC indicated sun all day, and therefore I decided that it was probably a good time to make a trip to DC. Initially I was reluctant to go since Obama had just killed Osama earlier this week and I wouldn't want to be caught in any celebrations there. But then I decided what the hell.
So it took about an hour’s drive from Arundel Mills, Hanover to Washington DC. I reached the National Monument, or the ‘big’ stick’ as I like to call it, at about 12pm. I found a good parking space near Department of Agriculture, and started walking towards the big stick.
On the way I met a family from Philippines, who thought I was a Philippino. Well, that’s the second time for me. They were looking for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and I offered to look for it on my Atrix. Unfortunately the connection was too slow for me to get a good signal.
I continued walking to the big stick and there were a crowd waiting at the base. Ah damn. I didn’t know that we can actually ride an elevator in the structure all the way up! However some free tickets were required and there was a long queue so I decided to pass, maybe next time.
From the big stick I can see two very familiar structures; the Jefferson Memorial across a lake they call Tidal Basin, and the Lincoln Memorial across the infamous Reflecting Pool (which are in a total mess as a massive restoration project was going on courtesy of the Obama administration and the taxpayers’ money, of course).
I decided to go to the Jefferson Memorial first. Walked all the way around Tidal basin and met a Malaysian family in front of the building. There was a mother, a daughter who is a student in the US and a guy whom I would prefer to be the brother (but probably he is the boyfriend, damn). Since I look more like a Philippino, I decided to greet them first and we exchanged short forgettable conversations before I made my leave. No contact numbers xD.
Then I took the opposite route around Tidal Basin to make my way towards Lincoln Memorial. On the way I encountered some other stone structures and fountains, and many writings on the wall. I found out later that probably the place was Roosevelt Memorial.
I walked on and saw that Martin Luther King’s Memorial was closed for construction. I reached World War 2 Memorial, and then moved on towards Lincoln Memorial. Along the way the Reflecting Pool was all dirt and mud with tractors and heavy machines around. Not a pretty sight and I was quite disappointed as it was one of the attractions that I really wanted to see.
Lincoln Memorial was crowded with people.
I then looked for Albert Einstein Memorial, and after that made my way towards the ultimate goal: the White House. I stopped by at one of the stalls on the way for a slice of cheese pizza and iced tea. I found out later that one of the stalls had Kosher sausages, so I definitely will look for those next time.
On the way to Obama’s house, I passed by the Federal Reserves building where a guard yelled at me as apparently no one was allowed to get close. There goes my Italian Job moment lolxD.
I reached the back of the White House which I thought was the front, and was ready to call it quits but I noticed many people coming from the opposite side of the road. Then I saw a plaque marking the area as the White House’s kitchen garden! Thank God I did not just pack and leave!
On the way to the White House front, I passed the National Treasury and a Malaysian family from Penang by the way they speak, of course. I did not say hi (peh, sombong, mentang-mentang takde anak dara!! Hahaha).
And there was a commotion in front of the White House! There were several protestors, a majority of them Syrian by the way they screamed “Free Syria”, and another group of Iraqis. There was a lone black man preaching Christianity through a loudspeaker, and another man trying to sell paper banners written by hand. The one he held was written “Bin Laden Was Right. We Are Half Wrong.” On another corner was a shrine of some sort to protest on nuclear weapons.
It was not the least bit scary at all, in fact it was somewhat amusing. There were two patrol cars and a few policemen just observing. I immediately thought, if this were to happen in Malaysia, each and every one of them would probably end up in jail for at least a few days if they were lucky, in ISA if they were not.
After lingering for some time, I finally decided that I have had enough. It was already over 4 pm and I dragged my sore legs back to where my car was parked, and on the way caught a glimpse of the Capitol building in the distance. For next time.
I turned on Google Navigation and looked for Malaysia Kopitiam, but was disappointed that it was more a bar than a kopitiam. Ordered Char Kuey Teow and hot tea (the tarik tarak), and wondered why the waitress cum tauke seemed a little bit hostile. Could she be bearing some old grudge over Bumiputeras or something? Either way, I will not be coming back anytime soon, not for the food nor for the service.
Finally I made my way back to Arundel Mills and spent some time uploading photos on Facebook.
The Washington Mall is a huge huge area full of memorials, museums and attractions. There is no way anyone can cover all attractions in one day on foot. I decided that I definitely will have to come again for a ride on the big stick (you read that right lolxD), visit the Capitol Hill and the various Smithsonian museums.
I marked my way on Google Maps, and it told me that I had walked about 7 miles, that’s around 11 kms, and walking non-stop would have taken me about 2.5 hours. I took about 4 hours, time accounted for snapping photos and videos.
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I think they should call that big statue at Kek Lok Si, Penang the Kuan-Yin Memorial. ;-)
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