The Capital...

Washington monument, looking down from the Lincoln memorial
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Hmm what to say about Washington DC, apart from, they like it all large here...

The buildings are all done on a larger scale than any of the other cities that I have visited before and it gives a view of the city trying to be grander than it actually is.

It's great to be able to wander round the momuments and places that you read about etc, but in reality, Washington centre just doesn't cut it for me, its as if it is missing something; to me, it's missing its soul.

New york felt like a party town, Boston felt like a "real" town that you live in and Washington just feels like a town you pass through and not one that you choose to stay in.  I guess that's the nature of a big capital town, since most people here will be "passing" through to some extent.

The white house, could I get more touristy....
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Having said all that. its very easy to walk around and I guess find places just outside the immediate centre that have more to them, like the area I am staying in, Adams Morgan, or Dupont Circle, that have more character than central DC, but still not somewhere that I would choose to stay long term - not that I have any plans to stay anywhere long term for a few months at least...

The momuments are very impressive, especially the view from the top of the Washington monument, its on the corner between the White house and the Capitol Building, so good views of those and the river as well.

Lincoln Memorial.. do anything just make it big!!
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It's a shame you can't go into the Washington Monument at night, it would be nice to see the city from up there all lit up, although, I guess you wouldn't see most of the city but meh, the Empire States building has spolit me for that lol.

Although one thing that I hadn't realised is that 95% of them are privately built; basically the government donates the land and the private individuals and corporations build the momuments and then hand them back to the government.

One thing that was nice to see, is that yesterday alot of the smaller shops closed at 3:30 pm because there was a big Redskins match (part of the play offs) and boy, was the noise from the bars loud, you could, from one bar, hear the commentary very clearly and that was from the pavement..

Anyway, for those interested here are the Washington DC pics, I was going to go onto Chicagao and see some of the great lake area, but since this cold has decided to hang around (and I really can't shake it) then I am thinking of a few days in Miami to get some sunshine and chill on a beach in January... although I am sure all your offices are nice and warm.

Anyway, no more drivel from me, I guess this is me signing off, time to call the airline and get a flight to warmer pastures...