We had plenty of time in DC to cover a lot of places. No, not to the point where you get bored...you never get bored in DC, that's for sure!
We visited the Holocaust Museum the first day and we spent almost all day reflecting on what we saw... It is the most emotional place I've ever been to. But it is important to see it. Everyone in the museum had this understood reverence, everyone reading quietly, walking in deep thoughts... I always felt interested in the family side of the Holocaust, how people in general cling on to their loved ones and how tight those Jewish families were. It always reminds me of home and of the special bond I have in my family. The museum made us reflect on the fragility of life, but also on the social psychology of the "belonging to a group" and what that can do the psyche. My sociology background made me think socially of the issues, but I could never understand how common people, neighbors, business partners and friends can turn on each other just to belong to the "esteemed group" at the time or be so obedient to the authority (look at Milgram's experiment for an interesting study made in connection with the matter). Of course, there were exceptions and we heard numerous stories of courage and bravery where people tried to save Jewish families, with the risk of losing their own lives. You are overwhelmed at every corner, to say the least. Or at least that is how we felt. No photos there. Out of respect.
We then visited the Natural History Museum. I loved the huge elephant that welcomed us.
My favorite exhibit was the Gems and Precious Stones section...Hmmm, wonder why? Shiny things, shiny things (a woman's brain)...
Observe how some of the formations were brought from Romania :).
The Hope diamond was also on display. Huge rock. Like, sinking weight huge!
Also interesting were the different dinosaur scheleton exhibits...These were the kids' favorites by far! I heard a little girl, about 5 exclaim at her Mom "Look Mom, it's T-Rex!!!"... Obviously, they know a LOT more than I do in this subject!
Adrian loved the National Air and Space Museum. I loved the part where they were exhibiting stewardess fashion style through the years, the Wright brothers' family story, and the fact that Henri Coanda and Aurel Vlaicu, two Romanian aviation engineers and early pilots were mentioned... It's interesting, but it's a guy's thing.
My favorite museum, surprisingly, was the National Museum of American History. Surprisingly, I say, because, I'm no history buff. I never had any interest in the subject. But, I came to appreciate the past a lot more lately and I read every single thing in this museum very intently...to my husband's desperation. I loved the Americans at War exhibit. An interactive timeline that took you from the Revolutionary War, through Civil War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam War, Cold War with compelling imagery and interesting facts. I never knew, for example, that during WWII, the military needed all the rubber the country could produce and hence, the hideous bra and underwear with uncomfortable straps was born during that time...
Here are some photos from the war timeline exhibit: first photo is Adrian with his favorite President, second is "Civil War Photography" (duh!) and third, is a POW depiction from the Vietnam War...
"Commercial photography began in the 1830s. By the 1840s daguerrotype studios started appearing in US cities and towns, bringing America's first boom in popular imagery. Because exposure took ten to fifteen minutes, daguerrotyists often used posing chairs to keep their subjects still. By the 1860s, new and faster processes were available. Especially popular were card photographs or carte de visites. These small and relatively inexpensive photos were given to friends and family and collected in albums. Soldiers frequently had photos made before they went to war, realizing that these pictures might be their last."
Another impressive exhibit is the flag from 1812 Baltimore that inspired the National Anthem. It is huge and amazingly, it is preserved in its original version. Photography was not allowed there so I just snapped this one.
Also cool was the First Ladies exhibit, were they had all the dresses worn at inaugural balls displayed. My favorite was Michelle Obama's. Super classy and beautiful.
La piece the resistance, though, was the Julia Child exhibit. Oh, how I love that chicken smacking, butter loving, man-sounding, funny chef!! And oh how much butter have I added to our diet just because of her... Don't ask me! Here is her kitchen. Now, I'm working on getting mine to look the same...
Talk about food, we had some great grub while in DC... Our friend Steve took care of us in that respect as he made sure we try different cuisines that are non-existent in Naples...
First night, he took us for Ethiopian food. What kind of food is that? Well, it comes on their type of bread, which is called injera. It has a chewey, rubbery texture that you fold your plate's contents in with your fingers. Because as in Ethiopian fashion, you eat with your hands. This is Steve excited!
Adrian's meal...meat.
And my meal...vegetarian.
It was yummy. And it all went down really smooth with this awesome sweet Ethiopian wine that I could've kept drinking all night...Yummm, better than Riesling. I know, I'm a sucker for sweet wines.
Steve also took us to Chinatown, which reminded me of my visit with my friend Anna from five years ago...Aaaah, good times!
We also discovered this awesome breakfast and lunch place that serves baked stuff and organic goods... And I just saw that it's international! We need a Le Pain Quotidien right here in Naples, please! ASAP! It was sooo cute and yummy! Simple food but such a treat...
The last night, Steve took us out to a Brazilian place called Bossa. That was not dinner, it was an EXPERIENCE. From the photography exhibit on the walls...
...to the live music band playing authentic Brazilian tunes... aaaah, LOVE...I was in heaven!
...to the yummy dinner...
...we all had a great time!
Who is Steve, you ask? He's my husband's best friend since they were in junior high. These guys have a lovely bro-mance going. So strong, that sometimes I felt like the third wheel. It's funny to watch them. To listen to them.
I'm happy though, that I cracked the little circle and I got accepted... I've come to be real good friends with Steve, he's an awesome guy and awesome friend. Thank you so much for spending time with us! So jealous you live where you live, buddy...
Will post more day photos of the monuments, memorials and Arlington in the next post.
We visited the Holocaust Museum the first day and we spent almost all day reflecting on what we saw... It is the most emotional place I've ever been to. But it is important to see it. Everyone in the museum had this understood reverence, everyone reading quietly, walking in deep thoughts... I always felt interested in the family side of the Holocaust, how people in general cling on to their loved ones and how tight those Jewish families were. It always reminds me of home and of the special bond I have in my family. The museum made us reflect on the fragility of life, but also on the social psychology of the "belonging to a group" and what that can do the psyche. My sociology background made me think socially of the issues, but I could never understand how common people, neighbors, business partners and friends can turn on each other just to belong to the "esteemed group" at the time or be so obedient to the authority (look at Milgram's experiment for an interesting study made in connection with the matter). Of course, there were exceptions and we heard numerous stories of courage and bravery where people tried to save Jewish families, with the risk of losing their own lives. You are overwhelmed at every corner, to say the least. Or at least that is how we felt. No photos there. Out of respect.
We then visited the Natural History Museum. I loved the huge elephant that welcomed us.
My favorite exhibit was the Gems and Precious Stones section...Hmmm, wonder why? Shiny things, shiny things (a woman's brain)...
Observe how some of the formations were brought from Romania :).
The Hope diamond was also on display. Huge rock. Like, sinking weight huge!
Also interesting were the different dinosaur scheleton exhibits...These were the kids' favorites by far! I heard a little girl, about 5 exclaim at her Mom "Look Mom, it's T-Rex!!!"... Obviously, they know a LOT more than I do in this subject!
Adrian loved the National Air and Space Museum. I loved the part where they were exhibiting stewardess fashion style through the years, the Wright brothers' family story, and the fact that Henri Coanda and Aurel Vlaicu, two Romanian aviation engineers and early pilots were mentioned... It's interesting, but it's a guy's thing.
My favorite museum, surprisingly, was the National Museum of American History. Surprisingly, I say, because, I'm no history buff. I never had any interest in the subject. But, I came to appreciate the past a lot more lately and I read every single thing in this museum very intently...to my husband's desperation. I loved the Americans at War exhibit. An interactive timeline that took you from the Revolutionary War, through Civil War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam War, Cold War with compelling imagery and interesting facts. I never knew, for example, that during WWII, the military needed all the rubber the country could produce and hence, the hideous bra and underwear with uncomfortable straps was born during that time...
Here are some photos from the war timeline exhibit: first photo is Adrian with his favorite President, second is "Civil War Photography" (duh!) and third, is a POW depiction from the Vietnam War...
"Commercial photography began in the 1830s. By the 1840s daguerrotype studios started appearing in US cities and towns, bringing America's first boom in popular imagery. Because exposure took ten to fifteen minutes, daguerrotyists often used posing chairs to keep their subjects still. By the 1860s, new and faster processes were available. Especially popular were card photographs or carte de visites. These small and relatively inexpensive photos were given to friends and family and collected in albums. Soldiers frequently had photos made before they went to war, realizing that these pictures might be their last."
Another impressive exhibit is the flag from 1812 Baltimore that inspired the National Anthem. It is huge and amazingly, it is preserved in its original version. Photography was not allowed there so I just snapped this one.
Also cool was the First Ladies exhibit, were they had all the dresses worn at inaugural balls displayed. My favorite was Michelle Obama's. Super classy and beautiful.
La piece the resistance, though, was the Julia Child exhibit. Oh, how I love that chicken smacking, butter loving, man-sounding, funny chef!! And oh how much butter have I added to our diet just because of her... Don't ask me! Here is her kitchen. Now, I'm working on getting mine to look the same...
Talk about food, we had some great grub while in DC... Our friend Steve took care of us in that respect as he made sure we try different cuisines that are non-existent in Naples...
First night, he took us for Ethiopian food. What kind of food is that? Well, it comes on their type of bread, which is called injera. It has a chewey, rubbery texture that you fold your plate's contents in with your fingers. Because as in Ethiopian fashion, you eat with your hands. This is Steve excited!
Adrian's meal...meat.
And my meal...vegetarian.
It was yummy. And it all went down really smooth with this awesome sweet Ethiopian wine that I could've kept drinking all night...Yummm, better than Riesling. I know, I'm a sucker for sweet wines.
Steve also took us to Chinatown, which reminded me of my visit with my friend Anna from five years ago...Aaaah, good times!
We also discovered this awesome breakfast and lunch place that serves baked stuff and organic goods... And I just saw that it's international! We need a Le Pain Quotidien right here in Naples, please! ASAP! It was sooo cute and yummy! Simple food but such a treat...
The last night, Steve took us out to a Brazilian place called Bossa. That was not dinner, it was an EXPERIENCE. From the photography exhibit on the walls...
...to the live music band playing authentic Brazilian tunes... aaaah, LOVE...I was in heaven!
...to the yummy dinner...
...we all had a great time!
Who is Steve, you ask? He's my husband's best friend since they were in junior high. These guys have a lovely bro-mance going. So strong, that sometimes I felt like the third wheel. It's funny to watch them. To listen to them.
I'm happy though, that I cracked the little circle and I got accepted... I've come to be real good friends with Steve, he's an awesome guy and awesome friend. Thank you so much for spending time with us! So jealous you live where you live, buddy...
Will post more day photos of the monuments, memorials and Arlington in the next post.
2 comments:
This are great Melinda! I love the first shot (nice wide angle shot) of the entrance to the museum with the elephant. I also love the little restaurant you went to that had bread with slices on it to hold their menus. So cute! Very creative idea. Chinatown and all the lights looked FAB too. So glad to see that you guys had such a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing it with us. :)
PS...Just noticed that I'm on your blog roll list. Thank you, thank you, thank you for showing me the love. You are da' bomb diggity!!! Love ya girl!
Angie
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