Thursday and Friday: DC Part 2

Thursday
Having a sleep in this morning did wonders for everyone's morale and a quick subway down to the Capitol Building set us up for an excellent guided tour of one of the nation's finest architectural achievements. After a movie outlining the origins of US Independence and Democracy, we were shown through the Crypt, the Rotunda, where presidents and other deceased notables have lain in state prior to burial:

and the former Senate chamber (now the National Statutory Chamber), which became far too small to be fit for purpose as the number of states grew:

We then progressed through to the Library of Congress, which is arguably even prettier:

The girls imagined they were to be immortalised in bronze and marble, and struck some poses to suit:

An afternoon at leisure offered some the opportunity to come back to the hostel, rest and/or do some laundry, whilst a small group crossed the State Line into Virginia to see the massive military cemetery at Arlington.

The group was reunited to enjoy a dinner out together at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Friday
Good Friday began with a walk to the White House. No sign of The Donald, but we got a few snaps of the famous building.

Then it was on to one of DC's newest museums, the Newseum. The Newseum is dedicated to all things media, and included coverage of the Berlin Wall, 9/11, the Civil Rights Era, Rock Music in Protest and Aid and the activities of the FBI, to name a few! Lots of positive feedback from the group about this one and an hour and a half didn't seem enough, so some stayed on, whilst others made their way to the Smithsonian Museums, the shops (again) or the hostel to rest before dinner.

A section of the Berlin Wall

 A series of Front Pages from around the world after the 9/11 attacks.

Aspen and Katie fronting the TV news desk.

A Pulitzer Prize winning photo from last year. The photo gallery was incredible.

Trump Hotel and the Tower of the old GPO, the latter of which can be ascended for free. 

Dinner was out in DC's Chinatown, at a Chinese restaurant called 'New Big Wong'. This was a short walk from our hotel, which allowed us to eat and return in good time to pack for the early flight in the morning. 

 The entrance to Chinatown.

A nice farewell message from DC.