White House visit

Bright and early on my second day in Washington, I got up and left with Jacob to see the monuments and buildings around Washington. The first stop was the White House, a short walk from the hotel.

This would not be the closest I got to the White House all day, more below.

Moving from the White House we saw the great architecture of the treasury department and the department of commerce, before we reached our goal of the Washington Monument. In the 8^th grade, I remember going up and touching the walls of the monument, but now the surrounding perimeter had been blocked off and you were no longer allowed to approach the monument.

Washington Monument

After the Washington monument and enjoying views of the capital building and the Lincoln memorial in the distance, we left to visit the Thomas Jefferson memorial. 

Jefferson Memorial

Jacob and I got a photo on the steps before heading up to read the quotes inside the memorial.

After visiting the Jefferson monument, we went through the Franklin D. Roosevelt memorial, a long walk through the history of Roosevelt’s many years as president. Although less aesthetically pleasing than some of the larger monuments, the memorial was very memorable because of the inclusion of Roosevelt’s dog.

Franklin Roosevelt and dog

Since I visited D.C. in the 8^th grade, a World War II memorial and MLK memorial have been built. The first I was able to see was the new MLK memorial, which I was told had received very critical reviews. While less impressive than many of the older memorials, the MLK memorial certainly drew a large crowd.

MLK Memorial

After visiting the Korean War memorial, we went to the Lincoln memorial, which was as impressive as always. Unfortunately, the government was constructing on the reflecting pool, so the regular beauty of the memorial as you look back toward the Washington Monument was lost.

View from the Lincoln Memorial

 

A trip through the Vietnam War memorial brought us to the new World War II memorial, an amazingly large monument in between the Washington monument and the Lincoln memorial.

WWII Memorial

 

We were able to read some great quotes from George Marshall, whom the Marshall Scholarship was named for. After viewing the WWII memorial, Jacob and I headed back to the hotel for lunch with other Marshall Scholars, and we met our hotel roommates. Through taxis, although it was only a 15 minute walk away, we made our way to the National Gallery of Art. We were able to see some pieces of art from nearly every area of Europe. Unfortunately our tour guide thought we were Fulbright students, so she continually asked us where we were going, only to respond “Sure seems like a lot of you are going to the United Kingdom, that’s strange.”

Back at the hotel after the National Gallery of Art, I decided to change from Jeans to Khaki pants, since my next trip would be to bowl at the White House. By now, most of the Marshalls had arrived and we were able to meet each other in the lobby. From the beginning, everyone got along fantastically, although it took me some time to find others going to Cambridge (only 7 this year). I also found another Marshall, Allie, who like me had never been out of the United States.

After the hotel interlude we made our way, by Taxi again, to the White House. Telling a Taxi driver to drop you off at the White House is surprisingly difficult; as many are not properly licensed in D.C. and are worried they will be spotted by the numerous undercover police.

Outside the White House entrance

Despite a little delay outside, we had no problems getting through the two levels of security. We walked into the Old Executive building, which is the building next to the White House but within the White House compound, and went to the basement. Funny enough, the walk in the basement of the White House was through a very uncompleted, dirty, and dark corridor that looked more akin to a construction site than the White House bowling alley entrance. Once at the bowling alley we had take-out Chinese food and beer, followed by a little casual bowling (I did terrible!) 

White House bowling alley, no electronic scoring!

Before we left we were sure to get a group picture of the 12 Marshalls and 3 Marshall alumni that were bowling together.

White House bowling group

Fortunately, our trip was not concluded. We were able to get a private tour of an area in the West Wing never shown on official tours, though I will be intentionally vague again since I am not sure if we were allowed to tour that area. No photos were allowed inside the White House… something I found out the hard way after pulling my camera out of my pocket. Although I have a photo of us waiting to get into the West Wing.

Doors to White House west wing

Finishing our trip at the White House we were again going to take a Taxi back to the hotel, but I elected to walk the 10 minutes and enjoy the D.C. evening. Fortunately for the Marshall Commission, the other group of Marshalls elected to walk as well, and we enjoyed some frozen yogurt before heading to bed in preparation for our 7am trip to the National Institutes of Health the next morning.