Today we visited the nations Capitol in Washington DC. The hotel shuttle dropped us off about 8:30 in the line that gave out tickets starting at 9 am. Our ticket was for the 10 tour. We rested on a park bench to watch the people and eat granola bars and M&Ms as no food or drink is allowed once you go through security.
The lawn in front of the Capitol is being set up for the Memorial weekend concerts and folklife festival. It will be crowded and we are happy our visit will be over by that time when we visit Stan’s niece, Mary Anne in Herndon Virginia.
Time for our tour. We walk up the steep hill to the security screening. People who didn’t read through the instructions toss food and water, including plastic empty bottles into the trash bin near-by. They take you through in groups of 15 or so and provide headsets so you can hear the guide.
There are many groups going through at the same time. We saw the grand rotunda in all it’s splendor. The guide explained the history of the dome with all the statistics of weight, size, who had painted the ceiling and how and the stories behind the marble and bronze sculptures.
The next room was more of the same except the dome was smaller and trim on the ceilings was real gold. There was a spot on the floor where you could hear someone whisper across the room.
I remember that place where it was shown to me over 40 years ago when I went with my junior high school class in about 1962. That was just after Ike was President and Nixon was his VP. JFK has just been elected. I remember going through the White House then and picking up some brochure about Jackie and seeing her signature with such a flare with the big J swooping down below the next line. After some practice I picked that same method for may signature that trails on still today. Teenages we were so silly in how we make decisions and defining moments that change our lives.
Back to the whisper heard clearly across the domed room. In ’62 the room was filled with only our group and we could hear the whisper clearly. Today in 2008 the room was crowded with other tourists and school groups and we couldn’t hear the whisper due to other noise.
As we were leaving, Senator Kerry walked through the crowd. He is tall and distinguished. I was surprised to see him pass through. Outside the capital you could sort the groups of people. Tourists, school groups and suits. The men and women in suits were immaculately dressed in black or navy with white starched shirts and ties. You knew they were up to serious business.
We heard that the best lunches, when restaurants are not available is in the cafeterias of the government buildings. So we when into the House of Representatives office to find out. More security and a great cafeteria lunch for under $10 for us both.