Being Tourists: A Quick Lesson on D.C.

Today we decided to just be plain old tourists with cameras. We bought over priced tickets and hopped on board a red bus with an open top and listened to a recorded voice telling us things about the buildings we drove past. When we saw something interesting enough we would hop off the bus and take a closer look and then wait at the same stop for the bus to come by again and hop back on, to be taken on to the next sight. Here are some pics:

The Washington Monument, in memory of George Washington, built in stages over 40 years, building was interrupted due to lack of funds. By law, no federal structure in Washington D.C. is allowed to be taller than this monument.

Jump shot at the back side of The Capitol, which is the political and geographic centre of DC.

The front of The Capitol, it houses the legislative branch of Congress and is home to the Senate and House of Representatives.

The front of the White House, this is as close as you can get if you're ordinary folk. American citizens or residents can request a tour of the White House through their congressional representative. They must be prepared to undergo background checks. Requests may be granted approximately 6 months in advance to the actual date.

If this were South Africa, the fence would be electric with barbed wire at the top, minimum.

The back of the White House, some up keep underway it seems.

Some people who have apparently been keeping up a 24hr anti nuclear peace vigil since 1981! When do they bath? They're standing facing the back of the White House. Will they realise anytime soon, that what they're doing isn't really working?

The Supreme Court flanked on the left by the female Contemplation of Justice and on the right by the male Guardian of Law. The portice is supported by 16 columns and the inscription at the top reads: Equal Justice Under Law

The fourth Chief Justice: John Marshall, principal founder of American constitutional law. The statue stands inside the Supreme Court

Marble staircase leading up to the main hallway, off of which the Supreme Courtroom stands.