"The Capital of the United States of... " a Washington D.C. Travel Page by mydreamquest

Although I only managed to stay in Washington DC for 3 days, I managed to accomplish quite bit.

And although I did miss a lot of important sites, I wasn't worried because I know that I will return here again as it is such a wonderful city to visit.

Last June, in very hot and humid weather, I took a subway to Foggy Bottom Station and began to walk as much as possible.

In my two days of exploration, my first visit to Washington DC since 1978, when I lived here briefly as a child in Alexandria, Virginia, I was amazed by the numerous museums, memorials, monuments, and things to see and do.

My highlight was walking up the stairs of the Supreme Court Building. In front of me, where this picture was taken, just last June 27th, 2005, there were all sort of news reporters. No, not for me. But there was CNN News, Fox, etc. etc. because of hearings related to a case involving the issue of "Separation of Church & State" where in a 5-4 Court Ruling, the Judges of the US Supreme Court ruled that two Courthouses in Kentucky should not keep framed copies of the 10 Commandments in their courthouse.

It's a sensitive debate. Although I personally am atheist, I really didn't see anything wrong with a courthouse possessing such a document as the 10 Commandments could easily be depicted as a metaphor for laws and proper conduct and morales in a civilized society.

In front of me as this picture was taken, there was a Christian Group protesting by wearing red tape covering their mouths as if to say "the red tape of government is taking away our voice as Christians."

When you visit the Capital of the most important Democratic Society in the world, especially if you American like me, you cannot help but get stimulated by global political discussion.

As I stood here in front of the Capitol Building, I had this incredible sense of being in the center of World Politics.

To a foreigner, this may sound egotistical, but if you go to Washington DC, you'll feel as if you are ambassador to your own country as the diversity of citizens is amazing.

Because of the tragedies of September 11, 2001, getting into this building is not as easy as in the past. Because I arrived late, I was not able to get a free pass to enter this lovely building.

My other highlight was walking about the "Museum Galleries" and then past the Washington Monument (behind me here) to the various War Memorials. Here I am standing by the WW2 Memorial and in front of me is the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King gave his famous "I have a dream.." speech which forever etched the Civil Rights movement into American History.

When you think about the endless history of the US, whether it's that speech or Watergate or all the important Supreme Court Decisions; when you think of the Civil War, Lincoln's Assassination and the fact that this has been the primary location for most of America's Presidents, the emotion is actually overwhelming.

After coming back to Washington DC, little things that I took for granted, such as when gave my pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, when I was in elementary school, walking about this city made me feel patriotic and proud to be from the United States of America.

And as you walk about Washington DC, you'll see fellow Americans from all walks of the country all celebrating this freedom in their unique way.

That's when you get mesmorized by the charm of being an American.