Break with Monica (Day 5)

Well, we've had our fill of museums, now we're off to see other things: starting with the Library of Congress.

A little more of the DC Metro (we were among the last to get off at the end of the train).

James Madison in the Madison Building of the Library of Congress (this library consists of 3 buildings).

The Thomas Jefferson Building--where most of the library is.

Just above the entrance.

I couldn't see all of their names, but I saw the 2nd (L to R) is Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the 3rd is Benjamin Franklin, and I think the 5th is Nathaniel Hawthorne.

The inner court was quite impressive.

wow.

The library.

The various symbols on the floor makes me worry.

I just can't get over the architecture, design, and colors.

As we leave, we get to see the back-side of the Capitol Building, just acroos the street.

The James Madison Building of the Library of Congress.

Hmmm, I understand this is an important building. . . .

. . . which may be why there is a bar fence between the street and this particular house.

This was our last leg of the trip, although we were really tired; hence, why we didn't get to see much or walk around.

This was the main thing we could see because it was right by the entrance: the Women's Memorial.

I didn't know how large this cememtery is.

Behold, a sea of white tombstones . . .

Very interesting: just across from Arlington Cemetery is the Lincoln Memorial. You can see it just literally down the road, along with the Washington Monument.

On top of the Women's Memorial, taking in the view.

I like eagles.

The Franconia-Springfield Metro station in which we begin and end our days' trips.

Break with Monica (Day 4)

Ok, NOW we can check out the Smithsonian museums . . . but we only have 2, maybe 3 days. . . we're gonna have to pick and choose. We chose the following 3: American History, National History, and Air and Space. Kinda interesting how they are in order of time most spent. . .

The American History museum. We hardly spent much time here. We saw that it was already 13:00 and the museums close on 17:00. Later, we saw that they all closed at 19:00 (maybe its a special Tuesday thing?) Anyway, we didn't know this and wanted to get to the other 2. Sorry American History . . .

The Elephant at the Rotunda (foyer) of the National History Museum.

Below, the Underwater/Sea/Ocean exhibit . . . just across on the top (behind the whale), was an unexpected, yet very welcome surprise . . .

Surprise! How fitting, don't you think?

WHOA! What happened to you?!

Oh yeah, this is gonna be fun.

I do love learning about astronomy, so you know I'm not gonna miss this "Beyond" exhibit!

Hey Monica, feeling small yet?

And we're off!

Waiting to go and watch the Hubble 3D movie. This was AWESOME!!!! To me, it was like a worship thought, only the one giving it didn't know it. Got to see images of the know universe and the "star nursery" in Orion's belt . . .

I am humbled by the magnitude of the universe's size. To think of how unbelievably small we are, and that to God our worth is as large (if not larger) than the entire universe . . .

Somehow, to me, the term "mind-boggling" is an understatement.

Did I mention this was my 1st time at an IMAX theater?

Ugh, Monica . . . I think someone wants to get your attention . . .

Break with Monica (Day 3)

Alright, wedding behind us, now off to explore our nation's capitol! But before we do, we need to solve a very important problem: hunger.

Pupusas, a typical Salvadorian dish. Basically, it's stuffed tortillas (mine was chicken and cheese). It was pretty good!

DC Metro.

Our 1st stop in the Smithsonian (too bad we only had no more than 30 minutes). Don't let the appearance fool you, this museum has 3 floors and is connected to the museum facing it and the "The Castle" just to its right!

The Castle (the back part).

The Capitol

The Washington Monument and some of the Mall (walking/park area where just about all the Smithsonian museums are, as well as a few monuments and memorials).

The Reagan airport is really close.

I don't know what building this was, but I loved this hallway.

It was a lot of fun to play with this picture.

The old post office in DC (worthy of a capitol of a country, don't you think?).

In its original color.

Break with Monica (Day 2)

The wedding was on July 18 at 15:00 (3pm). It was nice; would've been nicer if I knew the couple a little better, but they and their families were very gracious. Many congratulations and blessings to Mariela and Edgar Ramirez!

In the car and ready to go.

Monica helping Mariela (the bride) with a few last details.

The inside of the church (stage).

The newlyweds.

Ok, now the groom is smiling.

The church the wedding took place.

Really? I know of Vienna, Austria and Vienna, Maryland; but I had no idea until a few days before that there was a Vienna, Virginia!

Now I miss (the original) Vienna . . .

Break with Monica (Day 1)

On July 17, my one of my best friends from Southern (Monica), flew up to DC to be at a friend's wedding the next day, tour DC for a few days, then return to Collegedale. We agreed to meet and take advantage of the opportunity to spend some time together (a break from our respective lives).

Monica flew into Ronald Reagan National Airport in DC. Her flight was delayed, so I explored the airport a bit. Of course, I did not explore empty-handed.

An overview of Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington DC.

I guess this helps to emphasize the "National" in Ronald Reagan National Airport.

One of the mosaic circles. This is 4 maps of Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware before they became states in the early 1700s. I'm excited to see the peninsula . . . you know, slightly biased.

Kinda funky. . . obviously got my attention.

A little interpretation on the 2nd level.

Another interpretation just inside from the courtyard.

The Original.

I went over to the older section of the airport and here was the old symbol for the airport on one of the gates.

A little museum/exhibition of the history of the airport and a nearby farm that used to be and the owners of that farm that was there.