DC Day #1

We're staying at Donovan House on 14th St NW a few blocks from the McPherson Square metro station - so about 5-7 minutes walk from the White House. And not far from Dupont Circle. ie. a really good location.

This morning got up and took the Metro a few stations to Capital South, then grabbed breakfast at Jimmy T's - a fairly run-down and unassuming diner a couple of of blocks from the Capitol (thanks for the tip Lonely Planet). The area near the Capitol is residential and consists of narrow, old 2 or 3 storey houses on wide streets with lots of greenery - very cute.

Then our Capitol tour. A fantastic tour. It starts with a video which is surprisingly good, except it leaves one with the impression that America originated democracy and/or that it is the only democracy on earth. Then the central rotunda, with an amazing huge fresco on the inside of the dome, many statues and some pretty amazing paintings of American history. We headed into the room which was formerly the House - it was hard to believe it had ever been big enough. Saw a statue of my favourite American historical figure, Huey P Long, and excitedly took many photos. Plus various other sights. Seriously it was a really good tour.

After the tour ended I was very keen to get tickets to see the Senate in session but had thought they weren't all that easy to obtain. We found the right desk in the Capitol to obtain tickets as international visitors (a little tricky as it was unlabelled). The staff member at the desk was on the phone, and after watching us watching her for a while, she put the phone down for a second and asked what we wanted. As soon as I told her, she thrust tickets at me - MUCH easier than for Americans, who need to see their local member of congress or senator to obtain tickets.

I was pretty excited.

The Senate public gallery is reached via numerous corridors - grand marble, nice carpets - as impressive as you'd expect. But no dress standards are enforced, which surprised me. We watched for about an hour, and saw various senators speak for and against the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court - fascinating stuff. The Senate Chamber was very impressive and elegant, and the senators were extremely articulate and excellent speakers. I absolutely loved the experience.

Then headed over the road to the Supreme Court. Went to a really good lecture (held in the Supreme Court itself) about the Court and the building. The building is absolutely unbelievable. Almost totally constructed from white marble and incredibly dignified and beautiful. The Court is a very impressive room with some amazing sculptured marble panels representing various mythological and historical figures relevant to the law. Advocates in the Supreme Court have half an hour for each side for oral arguent... it would be fantastic discipline and would absolutely force you to get to the heart of the issue.

Then lunch at Teaism right near the White House - fantastic cheap Asian food, a wander by the White House (not a great tourist attraction - you can see the building from the street, but can't get close to it), then a relax in our room.

A really good first day in DC so far.