Poked around in the hotel and headed out to the Smithsonian area. Feeling much better with the motion sickness/vertigo under control. We were hungry and near to broke so we stopped at a Subway and tried to eat as much as we could before we headed off for the adventures of the day. After eating we went to the J Edgar Hoover (FBI) building to take picture. Jen's parents were both in the FBI so we thought they would appreciate the pictures. We touched the building and no snipers took us out- that's always good.
We then got in line for the National Archives (1/2 hour wait but considerably shorter than the previous days). Then waited in line to get into the Rotunda where they store the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights as well as the Magna Carta and Emancipation Proclamation. The Rotunda itself was impressive, fashioned off of the Parthenon. Other things we saw in the Archives was Shaq's shoe, President Tafts tub and more. Witnessed multiple security guards texting on their cell phones - nothing like our tax dollars and unlimited texting at work (literally). In fact as we went through security the guard who was supposed to be watching the screen on the xray machine was putting together the innards of a telephone - that's how I got through with a dangerous amount of C4 and an automatic machine gun in my pack... just kidding.
After the National Archives we headed to the Hirsh Hornh Museum were we were able to continue to wade through the millions of our wasted $ our country has spent on TRASH art. ~Literally. In fact, Jen asked the guard of one of the exhibits how he flt about it, and he shared his very marked opinion and frustration with the 15 million spent on some UPS and broken boxes that were posing as "art" What a slap in the fact to him as an employee, to the tax payer, to artists, and to those who have thinking minds. What a joke. If God calls us all to give our most, then art in the eyes of God should reflect just that. If God calls us to work our jobs as though we are working for him, then turning in a slap-job in an attempt to fool the masses is certainly not art. Don't get me wrong, I understand the concepts, and even find some of them helpful in the artistic process and learning... but to call a piece of junk a piece of fine art and sell it to our country for 15 million is simply appalling. It's not fine art, it's a joke, and the artist is laughing his way to the bank. Whew... calm down Jen.. the blood is flowing through the fingers now.
"fine art"
The benches people bums sit on and birds turd on. Which one is more artistic?
Moving on...
After hearing and agreeing with the guards dissertation on modern art we journeyed to the Smithsonian Castle where we broke Leo's backpack zipper in security (sad). We wandered around a small visitors area where they obviously had filmed part of the new Night at the Museum movie. We'll have to go see it.
We then crossed the road to see the museum of Natural History. Spent a lot of time in the rock and mineral section - even saw the Hope Diamond... from behind a mob of slobbering woman with long plastic nails and a few of their own precious stones. (The following is actually just a precious stone... we couldn't wade through the zealous women to get a picture of the Hope Diamond.)
We determined that the NYC museum was much more impressive overall. From there we trekked to the west and east Smithsonian art building. It just continues on and on and one could easily get lost. We saw HUNDREDS of famous pieces by people Jen has studied. (I have to admit... it was my turn to be giddy as a school girl and Leo journeyed the entire museum with such patience!) Jen argued with a security guard about placement of her backpack (they won't let you wear your backpack on your back, but on only one arm).. but later found out why from another guard who wasn't quite as rude. The rest of the day Jen was in an art trance. Hung out on some of the Smithsonian couches just for resting sake. Went through the sculpture gardens and then headed out to eat a burrito downtown. Caught the next metro and went out to the Arlington Cometary. It had just closed so we headed back, searched far distances on foot for a place that might sell cereal for breakfast for the next day Went back to the hotel... and CRASHED. Our feet hurt.
2 comments:
I love the photo of you at the FBI building. It is always a wonderful yet strange sensation to see you in places that were a big part of our lives. Like some sort of time warp. We are so glad you got to see these pictures that you talk about so much and for Leo to see all these places that mean so much to him also. I am so glad you were bless with all the sights and sound you experiencedon this trip.
m&d
looks like a great day! lots of art indeed and jenny definitely vana white-ed them well. its so awesome actually getting to see paintings or sculptures or things you have learned about and seen in movies or read in books; makes it a lot more personable.
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