Museum Visits

Today was day one of trying to see enough of Washington DC in a couple of days. Actually, to really see what this city as to offer, I think it would be necessary to spend about a year intentionally visiting museums and memorials and libraries and archives to say nothing of musical offerings at the Kennedy Center. Rock Creek Park, although different in style, rivals Stanley Park in its city location and size. I know there are some very bad parts of this city, but the parts we have seen are fascinating and attractive.

We took the bus down to The Mall (Capitol, White House, Smithsonian etc) this morning after a breakfast of home made muffins, toast, cereal etc. The buses seem to be efficient and are very clean. Both drivers today were courteous and patient, not once starting off with a jerk before people were either seated or steadied. We stayed on the bus past the stop we were aiming for, and when we weren't sure we knew where we were and asked the driver for directions, he told us to get back on the bus and he would tell us where to get off as he began the return trip.

We were at the Holocaust Museum just as they were opening and got through the security without incident (although the zipper on Mary Ann's jacket did produce a "wanding" by another security officer). We went to the desk to get a timed ticket when Mary Ann noticed that military dependents did not have to wait but could go on the tour right away. Out came her military car and off we went on one of the first tours.

We spent a very long time in this museum and, truly, we could have spend much longer if it weren't such an emotional drain to do so. The woman who took our tour (about 8-10 people) was a Jew from Belgium who had been hidden in a Catholic convent during the war. Her mother somehow survived the death camp and is still alive and in her 90's. Nevertheless, having the exhibit described by someone so close to the horror made it an even more powerful experience. The entire content of this 3 floor museum is horrifying beyond my ability to describe it. At the end of the tour, we sat and watched video clips of survivors of the camps and death marches reminisce and share those memories. Their stories were so vivid and painful that I was moved to tears. Even the stories of those who tried to rescue and protect Jewish children and adults were difficult to hear because those who were rescued or who survived represent such a small proportion of the Jewish people who were so brutally treated by Hitler and his henchmen.

When we left the Holocaust Museum, we walked over to the Museum of American History, but we couldn't go directly in somehow, so we sat in the cafeteria and ate some over-priced soup and coffee and had a little break.

The Museum of American History took up the rest of the afternoon. These museums all seem to close at 5:00 which makes for a shortened day for those of us trying to cram in so much in just a couple of days. It was fun to see the wide variety of exhibits on all three floors. Of course we looked at all the First Ladies' gowns and personal artifacts as well as displays of transportation, homes, music, toys, science and on and on -- again, too much to really digest in just a few hours. If one were to read all the information posted, it would take a whole day for each floor if not each section. We skimmed some, skipped some, and really read and listened to others.

By the time we got out, we were footsore and weary, but still intended to try to get to the NASA museum because it is one that is open till 7:00. We stopped for a coffee and a bun and before we knew it, we were too late for NASA. As we left the coffee shop (much better value than the museum coffee shop, by the way) we noticed a store with a special basement sale of clothing and about everything else. Well, that took us some more time and completed the job of wearing us out totally. Mary Ann bought some capris and we headed out to try to find out just where to catch our bus for the homeward trek. For once, our intuition was correct, and we found the bus stop with the right numbers. It took us a bit more than a half hour to get back to our attic room -- just in time for evening tea and cookies. Now Mary Ann is down one floor in the shared bathroom taking a shower and washing her hair -- being careful, of course, to be sure to clear the drain of hair before she leaves! This place is kind of growing on us. It is clean, and the people are nice, if not very professional. (for example, they couldn't tell us how much the bus fare was; we got two completely different sets of directions for finding the correct bus; there are no maps or up-to-date brochures for visitors . . . ). There are guests here from France, Germany, San Francisco, Connecticut and us, as well as the volunteers who run the house. Interesting.

Tomorrow, we have another full agenda and we hope to see lots and not get tired. I'm going to throw a second pair of shoes in my backpack for one thing. I wonder what kind of muffins we'll have tomorrow, or if we'll get a real taste of Mennonite cooking!