October 2, 2001: The Mall
Mr. Tsukamoto works in the apartment today. We will explore Washington DC. We visited first Kennedy Center just in front of the apartment. We joined a mini-tour run by a volunteer group. This is a bust of Kennedy carved by Robert Barks. The bust is in the world-largest-foyer of the Center with beautiful chandeliers.
We went up the roof level. The weather was so beautiful that we could view through up to George Town University. The cool breeze blows up from Potomac River under the sight. I can find security agents here and there, however.
As Kennedy Center is a very large building; it takes sometimes to find an exit. We finally found it and went out. We then headed to Lincoln Memorial on foot along the river. Many people were enjoying beautiful autumnal days by jogging or riding bikes.
Lincoln Memorial, reflecting pond, Washington Monument, and the Capitol building are in the straight line to make a beautiful scenery.
This is Korean War Memorial. When I visited here three years ago, I was shocked by its reality. This time, many people were watching it in an abnormal quietness. I read an impressive word carved near the statues. It reads, "Freedom is not free." My chest felt pain by reading it.
We continued walking, walking, and walking. Through my lack of exercise, I was already tired. We came up to Washington Memorial, but it was tightly guarded with a fence and a security agent. Around the Monument are many patrol cars and speed cops.
We visited National Museum of Natural History. A security agent checked very carefully, even the contents in my pochette. The Museum is so large. There are a display of a mammoth and skeletons of dinosaurian. Unusual folkways of many countries are also displayed. In a corner of Japanese history, I found an Ontayaki vase. I was delighted because the vase was from Oita prefecture I live in.
As we were so tired, we decided to take a rest in Old Post Office, a grand building with a high tower. The post office is turned to a kind of shopping arcade including souvenir shops and cafeterias. The guided tour of the building was closed and there were a few people in the arcade. Security agents were everywhere. It was a little bit lonely atmosphere.
What was tasty here was a large soft pretzel, which was recommended by Mayumi in Chicago. The sweet aroma of cinnamon was really good. I was now refreshed.
As we were fully restored, we then headed to White House that was under tightest security. We could approach to the front fence and take pictures there, however. Many visitors come here, take pictures and leave quietly.
A squirrel was playing on the lawn of the White House. The peaceful scene of the squirrel and security agent on the top of the House makes a sharp contrast. Which should be preferable? We must think deeply.
I looked through Washington DC, the capital town of America, and viewed by my own eyes. I felt something pitiful, as people pretend to be quiet under the tightest security. It looks like an allegory of the 21st century. Well, let go home. We walked through the campus of George Washington University, bought some food in Watergate, and went home.
Today's dinner was Chinese style. Mr. Tsukamoto rightly prepared a salad bowl by remembering I said this morning.
