On Saturday morning, I met my Dad for breakfast at the cute French bistro in our hotel. I bet you can guess what I had for breakfast: a heaping bowl of oatmeal with fresh fruit! My new version of "the breakfast of champions."
Then, my parents and I decided to go on an impromptu walk toward the Capitol Building. While out front, we decided to take a tour (a great decision). The Capitol Building recently opened a newly designed exhibition, including an underground entrance way and lobby that is reminiscent of the one in the Louvre.
After watching this incredibly inspiring film about the birth of our nation and the legacy of Congress, we joined in on a guided tour of the building itself including the national crypt, the famous dome, and the National Statuary Hall (which was the original home to the House of Representatives). In the National Statuary Hall, they have a plaque that shows you where John Quincy Adams' desk was located. The tour guide demonstrated the acoustic qualities of the room by walked 100 feet away from us, whispering to us as we gathered around Adams' plaque, and chuckling as our expressions reflected our wonder at being able to hear her perfectly across the room! She also said that after the House moved to its current location, the old location was turned into a farmers' market-type space with live chickens and food vendors etc. I did not know this and am now jonesing to do a mini-research project on the topic!
After the Capitol Building, we headed to the Library of Congress so I could show my Dad what I discovered yesterday! We took a few photos in the library with my award etc. But, my favorite part was exploring Thomas Jefferson's library. They have actually put together his personal collection and have it organized in the same way that TJ himself organized it. So neat - lots of books in French and Latin (quelle surprise).
Later that day, we met up with my fellow Morsel and Yalie friend, Chris! We headed to Bullfeathers - Teddy Roosevelt themed restaurant near the Library of Congress. They are famous for their Buffalo mac & cheese - decadent!
We then headed to Ford's theater - where John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln. Chris, who works in public history as an artifacts acquisition specialist, gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of a new exhibit he work on in the home where Lincoln died (located just across the street from Ford's). Chris knows how important place is in defining our understanding of history. He took us on the very same streets that Booth absconded along after murdering Lincoln - a very powerful moment! We also enjoyed hearing Chris' insights into the construction of exhibits and how public historians try to connected with broader American audiences. One of my favorite moments was when Chris was talking about the assembly of the exhibit and how his mentor placed John Wilkes Booth's keys right into Chris' hand and only later told him what they were. They are now displayed in the exhibit. Another really cool part of this exhibit was the 37 ft tall stack of books comprised of the works written about Lincoln. These ones are facsimiles of the real books, constructed out of light weight aluminum to make the installation stable.
We had too much fun sharing our passion for history and reminiscing about our years a Yale. Also, I think my Dad found his new best friend.
Eventually, I said goodbye to Chris and my parents and met up with my good friend, Gussie, who was in Whim 'n Rhythm with me. We spent the evening catching up on each other's lives, retelling stories from World Tour, and just enjoying each other's company. We headed to one of my favorite places, DC 9, for dinner. They seriously have some of the best veggie burgers out there!
The next morning, Gussie and I headed to Blind Dog Cafe to have a work session. Gussie is in her first year at the prestigious Johns Hopkins' School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). I'm so proud of her and loved hearing about her recent trip to Gettysburg to study the military strategy deployed at this historic location during the Civil War.
Eventually, I made my way back to sunny New Orleans where there was a block party in full swing on my street. I really enjoyed coming home to live music. It is also much cooler in New Orleans today. I even have my windows open to let the breeze in!
Then, my parents and I decided to go on an impromptu walk toward the Capitol Building. While out front, we decided to take a tour (a great decision). The Capitol Building recently opened a newly designed exhibition, including an underground entrance way and lobby that is reminiscent of the one in the Louvre.
After watching this incredibly inspiring film about the birth of our nation and the legacy of Congress, we joined in on a guided tour of the building itself including the national crypt, the famous dome, and the National Statuary Hall (which was the original home to the House of Representatives). In the National Statuary Hall, they have a plaque that shows you where John Quincy Adams' desk was located. The tour guide demonstrated the acoustic qualities of the room by walked 100 feet away from us, whispering to us as we gathered around Adams' plaque, and chuckling as our expressions reflected our wonder at being able to hear her perfectly across the room! She also said that after the House moved to its current location, the old location was turned into a farmers' market-type space with live chickens and food vendors etc. I did not know this and am now jonesing to do a mini-research project on the topic!
After the Capitol Building, we headed to the Library of Congress so I could show my Dad what I discovered yesterday! We took a few photos in the library with my award etc. But, my favorite part was exploring Thomas Jefferson's library. They have actually put together his personal collection and have it organized in the same way that TJ himself organized it. So neat - lots of books in French and Latin (quelle surprise).
Later that day, we met up with my fellow Morsel and Yalie friend, Chris! We headed to Bullfeathers - Teddy Roosevelt themed restaurant near the Library of Congress. They are famous for their Buffalo mac & cheese - decadent!
We then headed to Ford's theater - where John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln. Chris, who works in public history as an artifacts acquisition specialist, gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of a new exhibit he work on in the home where Lincoln died (located just across the street from Ford's). Chris knows how important place is in defining our understanding of history. He took us on the very same streets that Booth absconded along after murdering Lincoln - a very powerful moment! We also enjoyed hearing Chris' insights into the construction of exhibits and how public historians try to connected with broader American audiences. One of my favorite moments was when Chris was talking about the assembly of the exhibit and how his mentor placed John Wilkes Booth's keys right into Chris' hand and only later told him what they were. They are now displayed in the exhibit. Another really cool part of this exhibit was the 37 ft tall stack of books comprised of the works written about Lincoln. These ones are facsimiles of the real books, constructed out of light weight aluminum to make the installation stable.
Eventually, I said goodbye to Chris and my parents and met up with my good friend, Gussie, who was in Whim 'n Rhythm with me. We spent the evening catching up on each other's lives, retelling stories from World Tour, and just enjoying each other's company. We headed to one of my favorite places, DC 9, for dinner. They seriously have some of the best veggie burgers out there!
The next morning, Gussie and I headed to Blind Dog Cafe to have a work session. Gussie is in her first year at the prestigious Johns Hopkins' School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). I'm so proud of her and loved hearing about her recent trip to Gettysburg to study the military strategy deployed at this historic location during the Civil War.
Eventually, I made my way back to sunny New Orleans where there was a block party in full swing on my street. I really enjoyed coming home to live music. It is also much cooler in New Orleans today. I even have my windows open to let the breeze in!
Too kind of words! But what a fun, awesome, "historic" day, and you and your mom and dad are just the best of people to hang out with! :)
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