Sun 5 August – 10828 steps
Happy Birthday Sean and Buster
As we were discussing where to go next, I could see that David really wanted another day in Washington – so many museums! We took a metro in and got off at Chinatown. The first thing you see as you come off the elevator is a Mexican restaurant!
We had decided that we wanted to go to the Spy museum first. The queue was already out the door. So we went for brunch at the The Smith, in honor of Richard’s birthday. Thank you Buster, it was an excellent choice. I had something new, a breakfast pie, full of mushrooms, sausage etc with a cheesy biscuit top covering topped with 2 fried eggs. David had an old favorite, eggs Benedict with his rediscovered favorite drink.
By the time we finished the queue outside the Spy museum had shortened and we went in. It was so interesting and well presented, but very busy, even though it is expensive. You had to hustle for space as you came into a new section and wait for a turn at the interactive displays. They have loads of old gadgets used by spies and show how these have developed over the years. They show how spies and disinformation helps George Washington defeat the English, how code breakers gave Queen Elizabeth enough evidence to behead Mary, Queen of Scots, how Ninjas are trained and a lot of various stuff – too many to remember let alone list here. They also have a display of 50 Bond villains and their weapons of choice. A really good museum, we spent at least 3 hours there and did not cover everything. There is only so much you can absorb in one visit.
We hopped onto a bus for a new route to see the other areas of DC, but mostly just to sit for a while. We hopped off before the end, but there was still only time for 1 more museum. There are 11 Smithsonians in the National Mall, 6 others and a zoo, all free to enter if you have the time. We chose the Museum of Native Americans, also free. It is also tremendous. Unfortunately, it closes at 5:30 and we had to leave. We could easily have spent a day in there. I cannot understand why museums close so early in Washington. the place is packed with people wanting to see them. The evenings are so pleasant, they could easily stay open later.
We found a restaurant en route to the metro and after overeating at their buffet, we took a train home. Lovely day!
Chuckle of the day:
What I learnt: My belief system ties in to what it is to be Anishinaabe. There is so much similarity between the wisdom of the ancient tribes across continents. What a pity most of it is lost or ignored in the modern world.
Kim's journey 