21.06.09

21.06.2009

Washington DC II
The day started with a breakfast in the hotel, which was quite good. They had many different fruits, eggs, omeletts and more. Only the bagels and the bread was dry and seemed not to be fresh.
At 9:00 a.m. we started the second day of the trip. We saw the Pentagon, which is the world's largest office building. 26,000 people are working in the Pentagon. After that we went to the Arlington National Cemetery. We visited the grave of John F. Kennedy, saw the 300,000 tombstones of honored soliders of the United States of America and the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater. Very interesting was the Tomb of the unknown solider, which is guarded by Tomb Guards. It was very interesting to see them walking (exactly 21 steps, then he waits for 21 seconds and turns around to go back). We saw the ceremony Changing of the Guard. In my opinion it was a strange ceremony. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_the_Unknowns#Tomb_Guards)
After that the bus brought us to the capitol, where we had free time until 4:30 p.m. Between the Capitol and the Washington Monument is the so called Mall, where many museums are. They are all free and I had to decide between so many interesting museums. Finally I went to the National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum. American History was very exciting and interesting. I could have stayed there for days, although I have never been really interested in history. There were many different exhibitions, e.g. about the development of transportation, the Star-Spangled Banner (Flag of the United States), the First Ladys and more. I could just stay there for two hours.
The National Air and Space Museum was also very good and interesting to me. They had hundreds of old and new airplanes, space rockets and any other kind of flying object you can imagine. They had an original landing lunar module, an original Wright flyer, a moon rock, which you could touch and many many more fascinating things. I could have stayed here for days as well, but our time was short.
I also have seen the FBI headquarter, the Hardrock Café and a triathlon that took place in the city of Washington DC and around the Mall.
On our way back we watched "Hitch" and another film, that was not very exciting. But another highlight of the trip was the skyline of Manhattan. We had an excellent and fascinating view to the illuminated skyscrapers. When I have the time, I will go this place of New Jersey to see that again. 
It was 11:00 p.m. when I was home. Sonelius was still awake. He worked on a music track with Logic, a professional music Software, which he showed me. He also gave me a little piano lesson.
When I went to sleep, I was very tired.