Day: 5-6

It was a busy day yesterday, a very long and busy day. We headed out to the Metro to take it into DC but we couldn't get a parking spot, in fact we went into a parking lot and had to pay to get out even though there were no spots available. So that was lame.

We decided to just drive all the way in and hope we could find a spot. Turns out we could, and fairly easily. Only problem being we were way out on the outskirts and that meant even more walking.

Picture: Anthony (Virginia) and Anton(Maryland) leaving our truck.

It was cool just driving out there though because you could see different monuments as you drove, really nice view.

Picture: Anthony couldn't get the guy to change the station...
Our first stop was the Roosevelt Memorial where there were a lot of different statues. There were also many cherry trees, it just happened to be probably the busiest time all year, the week when the cherry blossoms are blooming and when tons of kids are on spring break. So we really picked a winner of a weekend to go. I don't think we could've picked a worst one. But it worked out, it was just terribly busy.

Picture: And here be me. In the midst of cherry trees and with the Washington Monument in the distance.


We all had a lot of fun, but it was so terribly tiring walking everywhere, you'd think they'd have built those things closer together, didn't they know I'd be coming? Apparently they used to offer Segway Tours, I'd have been all over that!

Picture: Here I am reflected in the Vietnam Memorial




Almost everything there is free, all the museums and stuff, and you can even walk all the way up the Washington Monument (It's hollow! Who knew?) Unfortunately, even free things have their price, which in this case meant getting their really early to snag a "free" ticket, but I don't know, anything that would make me get up too early is a pretty high price, one that I apparently wasn't willing to pay.

Picture: Here I am in front of the Lincoln Memorial


Picture: Anton and Myself with good 'ole honest Abe in the background.


Video: Me and the Memorials


We had been walking for a couple hours already and it was around 2:30 pm, way past my lunch time, so we stopped at a gourmet food establishment where I got a Polish Sausage and a Chili Dog. I'm not sure they liked each other much because they gave me a bit of trouble, but they seemed to have worked it out.

After lunch we went to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. It stunk. Bad. Not in an "this-place-is-sub-par-at-best" way, but more like in an "there-are-far-too-many-sweaty-kids-on-spring-break-here" kinda way. So we wandered around and looked at some dinosaurs, we saw the Hope Diamond and just when I thought I might be seeing my Polish friend again, we left to find somewhere less crowded and less smelly.

Picture: The Hope diamond, I had to crowd surf over, wade through and beat off 73 school kids to get this picture so you'd better appreciate it.


Picture: A dinosaur.


So we left there and can you believe my good fortune, just when I was feeling lost in a crowd of people I say this little place (See Picture Below). It sure lifted my spirits, after gazing longingly for a while, I had the courage to resigned myself to my fate and just press on.

Picture: The Canadian Embassy


We continued to the National Art Gallery where I saw some amazing Edgar Degas's sculptures (I didn't even know he did that?!) Apparently he only every displayed one sculpture, but when he died his family found over 70 in his studio. I didn't take any pictures in there, I didn't think I was allowed but I really enjoyed it. Even though by this time my body resented my every step.

Then out in front of the capitol building there were a few quaint statues. So I took a picture or two of them.

Picture: Yonder quaint statues



And here is the capitol building.

Picture: As promised, the capitol building!



Picture: Hey it's me by that building.


We met up with Anton's brother Mitch, who is doing an internship at the Jordanian embassy, and we all proceeded to the botanical gardens.

I had heard that there would be this giant flower that only blooms once every 5 years and stinks like a dead stinky thing, but unfortunately we couldn't find it. In fact that was really my only motivation for going to the gardens at all. I was sorely disapointed but Mitch pointed out that I could take a picture of anything and tell all you suckers that it was the real thing, so see below for the stinky flower.

Picture: Stinky Flower


Luckily, the gardens weren't a total loss, I did find a new friend.

Picture: Dear old Sam



After all that we were pretty worn out so all of us headed on out, it took us probably 30-45 minutes to walk back to our vehicle so we were pretty much done.

You'd think our day would be done, but oh no, not for us. Instead we headed to Virginia to Christian Assembly church where we went to hear a man named Wade Taylor speak.

But first dinner.

Picture: Dinner at Anthony's with Anthony


The service was really good, Wade spoke on living prophetic lives instead of just using the prophetic gifting, after that he prayed for everyone, I'm too tired to type out any of my notes, so trust me, it was amazing.

After the service the youth pastor, Todd, and youth leader, Dae, asked us if we wanted to go out to get something to eat. Which, obviously was a yes. We went to this 50's-ish diner where we had a really good time talking and praying with Todd and Dae, it's too bad we are so far away in New Hampshire, it'd be awesome to get to see them again we all really enjoyed our time with them.

Picture: The Diner!


Well that's about it for that day.

Today I didn't do much, and I'm going to leave it at the because it's late and I'm tired and I have to get up to drive to Connecticut tomorrow to see Jeremy and Rachel. So until later...