Yesterday I did a tour of the Capital Building. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in Washington and is where the President is sworn in. They now use the Mall side for the swearing in ceremony whereas the Presidents like Kennedy were sworn in from the back of the building. Also it is used for lying in State which I thought was of right when Presidents died in Office but this is not the case it has to be approved by Congress.
When I first visited this building it was open to all in that you just wander in and walk around at will - but now it is bytour which have to be booked and there is security checks etc. This was as a result of two policemen being shot there in 1998. The tour was very informative - for example I stood on thw spot where John Adams had his desk. The tour also included the original paintings of the signing of the Declaration of Independence etc. The Library of Congress is known as the most beautiful building in Washington and it certainly is. I then got a ticket to the Senate procedings which was interesting - one Senator wanted cost cutting and evidenced a grant given to research whether if rabbits were massaged on the shoulders it would relieve stress - which in the end di not matter any way as they were euthanized after the massage.
I was supposed to go to Mt Vernon today but the tour was cancelled - I must say though after hearing George Washington had only one tooth he is a much less appealing figure to me.
Also a guide at the Ford Theatre explained at the time of Washington people could just goand knock on thedoor of the White House. Even at the time of Lincoln he would see people in the White House usually between 9pmand12 who would just wait in thehalls of the White House.
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