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I've been there, three times (or maybe four??), all for protest or lobbying efforts, and I have been awed each time. The power, the history, and the beauty of the buildings and monuments, I find irresistible. With only one exception, I've always made a long weekend out of the trip, so I've had time to explore. Even on my shortest trip (24 hour bus/lobbying thingy with the ACLU) I managed to find some time to explore Union Station. There is so much to look at, to learn about, and to appreciate, that one could easily spend a week there. I haven't made it to the zoo yet, and now my damn panda is all growed up....grrrr, or spent much time in the various Smithsonian museums, or some of the other wonderful museums. I definitely plan to go back, again and again, until I've seen it all.
On one trip we were going to visit the Senate, but they were out of session that day for a religious holiday, that we had forgotten about, so we just wandered around one of the office buildings (I think it was the Russell Bldg.) to see if there were any Congress Critters hanging about. We got lost in the building, and couldn't figure out how to get out of it...sounds stupid, but the numbers in the building run really weird, so we couldn't find the main floor. We had managed to get ourselves down to the basement area, when this nice lady asked if she could help us. I said yes, how the hell do you get out of here? She laughed, agreed that the building was confusing, and directed us out. I think if it hadn't been for her, we'd still be trapped in there, although I would assume by this time we might have seen a Congress Critter or two that we'd recognize!
I did see Schumer one time. He was getting out of the elevator. I think he must have thought for a moment that he knew me, because I had a total look of "I know you!" on my surprised face. He stopped for just a tic, then went on his way, when he realized I was just another stupid tourist. Another time we had breakfast with Kucinich. He was staying in our hotel, and one of our group corralled the poor guy and made him sit with us at the complementary breakfast. Actually, he ate. We watched. He said about two words to us and shook our hands. He left. My claim to fame!
No Biden, though. It's probably just as well. The last thing the hallowed halls of Congress or any of the beautiful office buildings need is some lame dame howling, "Joooooooe!" while falling on her face as she rushes at him in a star-struck stupor! LOL
Anyway, it's a very cool city, and everything is free. Once you pay for your transportation and your lodging, the only things you have to pay for is your food, and the Metro. Oh, and of course if we all went, bail money after we got arrested on stalking charges. :rofl:
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