A created capital - Washington D.C.

Early one weekend Anne and I decided to dash off to Washington D.C. the great capital of the United States of America!

We had heard about this city, seen it in movies, listened to stories and anecdotes about it power and prestige and how leaders that governed there influenced events and people around the world.

We decided that the best way to do it would be by Amtrak which runs a service from Trenton (the capital city of New Jersey) to D.C.

We lived in Princeton Meadows, so we decided to take an NJ Transit Train from Princeton Station to Trenton and from there to D.C.

The morning started with us all excited about the trip - I already imagined myself sitting on the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial - like Clint Eastwood did in "In the line of Fire" waiting for Renee Russo to turn back and give him a look - with the major difference that Anne would insist on a couple of good photographs for posterity - and the whole place would be crowded anyway. After all it was summertime.


The D.C. Capital Hilton is a property located bang in the middle of some of the most famous sights of the capital city. The White House is walking distance away and the Monument a little further than that.

It was here that we had booked rooms to stay. We did ask if the rooms had a view of the monument, but got a vague reply. But anyway the discount offered was substantial and so worked out to be within our budget.

Once we reached there and settled down, freshened up and got out to get some grub. Fortunately we spotted an Indian restaurant nearby and rushed in, unfortunately the food was hopeless and limited. After which we just could not help but try and digest what we ate and walked to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or as it is more popularly known - the "White House".

When we reached there we could not help but be impressed! It was not that big...but nonetheless it was nicely built. Surrounded by lush green trees and flowers, and even more so, but inconspicuously, by security guards. It seemed surprisingly pleasant and serene. People walked around in shorts and t shirts and generally were in a friendly mood. We asked to be photographed and an obliging stranger gladly offered to do so.

I thought of Martin Sheen in "West Wing" and Bill Pullman in "Independence Day".....why was I thinking of the movies when I thought of Washington?

Oh yes, I also thought of JFK and Ronald Reagan and of course the present incumbent, George Bush Jr.

This building held so many memories that if the walls could talk, well we would have to listen for many, many years. It fascinated a lot of people and certainly aroused the curiosity and awe of many. I remember when I was a little boy and went with my Dad to get a hair cut. The barber shop had a picture of President Kennedy strolling through a garden in deep conversation with Jawaharlal Nehru. He was very much respected for his supporting India in the 60's. So I concluded that the barber felt that the deed deemed it fit enough to hang a picture of the American President.


America itself held a fascination for this young boy who had dreams to travel the world and see what lay beyond my small town that I grew up in of Mettugudda, in the southern city of Hyderabad, in India.

Who knew that one day I would walk and see places that I never dreamed I would see!

And of course these days it has become enormously easier to earn a better living than one did in those days and what with families becoming smaller and salaries generally rising - one was exposed to many more opportunities than I thought my parents would have thought of. And yes, I've heard arguments for the position that "the good ol' days" were the golden age! But this was my generation and I certainly have a part in extolling the merits of my age, before I would pass the baton on the next. Who would increasingly find a challenge in determining what type of environment they lived in, and of course would have better technology than today to be able to deal with it.

But this was our holiday so I was pleasantly snapped out of my daydreaming by the flash that went off in front of me and Anne of the stranger who volunteered to take our picture. Great! Something to frame and talk about to Cathy our daughter when she grew big.

We then decided to walk around and see that impressive Egyptian inspired Cleopatra's needle - like structure which was currently called the Washington Monument. This view is from the Lincoln Memorial side. You could actually see two red lights that blinked - after all the Airport was close by and this was probably done as a precaution - something that you find on almost all tall skyscrapers.

I visualised "Forrest Gump" attempting to give a speech here when his girlfriend shows up and hugs him in front of a whole crowd of hippies and antiwar protesters. All while he, a decorated war hero, in the movie is cut off from the PA system, while delivering a speech. Again ....movies. Oh Hollywood! I can't even think of a historical moment without being reminded of a scene in a movie!

We then moved on to the Lincoln Memorial - remember Washington is full of memorials - all paying homage and erected in honor of the country's many statesmen and people who sacrificed all. You cannot help but be transported back in time to the period of that personality to whom the monument was built, to kind of be silently respectful of their memory. This memorial was unique in the sense that it stood out, just as the personality in whose memory it was built. He sits there lazily majestic in his pose....brooding as though in deep thought or maybe worry? Not that he did not have his entire life to be worried about. Here was a man who would rise out of failure to become a President whose achievement was arguably amongst the country's finest.

People still remember the "Gettysburg Address". Where has that language gone? Where has the inspiration vanished? Do people smirk sarcastically these days at any attempt of oratory or eloquence of speech......supposedly they do. For reasons best known to them at least.

Give me an orator...also give me someone who is honest to his word and I will have the most respect for them. Lincoln was one of them. Maybe that's why people gape and respectfully read the inscription on the inner walls of the monument. The names of the 50 states are inscribed on the exterior attic walls. Designed by Henry Bacon it was established in 1922 and has stood as a tireless testimony to a great man.

It's easy to travel within D.C. All you do is buy a ticket at the Old Town Trolley Tours available at any decent hotel and you are good to go!

These tours commenced from point near Union Station (there was a stop just outside our hotel - the Capital Hilton)and then all you did was hop on and it took you to designated points of interest covering almost every memorial, monument and museum that you needed to see! There were common stops for three different lines that between them covered everything. So if you need to switch lines you got off at one those stops and then moved on to see a different point of interest.

Sunday morning saw us dash off to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception - a huge basilica which was part of the recent visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict the XVIth.

I know of some big churches.....this was a collection of churches and shrines under one roof.

We attended Holy Mass and then took a cab to the Air and Space Museum.

I just loved the National Air and Space Museum - it has everything that flies hanging breathtakingly overhead.

Everything from the Apollo Luna lander to the first experimental jets that went faster than the speed of sound to the Wright Brothers aircraft....oh just loved it. And the best part of it. All actual aircraft. It looked like they just took it from the airfield and fixed struts to it and then hung them from the roof. The Wright Brothers aircraft looked so delicate that I wondered how he managed to even sit inside one of them. It looked like a cane chair with wings that could actually fly.


The delicate gossamer like wings of the aircraft seemed like they would rip off at any minute but were in reality pretty much up to the job.
Charles Lindbergh's the "Spirit of St. Louis", was also on display. I wondered how he managed to stay alone in the dark over the Atlantic while he flew his way into Europe. No in flight entertainment here...just sheer guts! These were the men that pioneered and made possible the industry that currently carries almost everyone who needs to travel overseas.

We moved onto our next stop - the Jefferson Memorial and managed to get a decent shot of it with the water in front of it. It looked like a solitary temple located within a mysterious lake. Stunning looks in memory of a man who was also an inspiration, in my humble opinion.

There were a few boats in the water with people leisurely sitting down looking completely peaceful.

All in all this was one trip that was packed to the brim with sights that just went on and on. We had spent a great 3 days here. And later we were to realise that this trip would forever be a part of our memory.....why....well because the next time we visit Washington we will have to buy three tickets!!

In case you are planning to go....give yourself at least three days with a real appetite to keep moving in order to see at least half of the sites.

Chris Francis

May 6 2008