Some shallow reflections on my most recent trip to Washington DC.
The public heritage (memorials, museums, mall) are nicely set up for a tourist. The hours were accessible and the trains served us very well.
I do not like memorials that are all about look-at-me, such as the Washington and Jefferson Memorials. I love the Lincoln Memorial because in addition to the (huge) statue the memorial was about his views on slavery in a land that prizes freedom.
At 61 years of age, getting around is nontrivial, particularly in the summer sun. We used Lyft much more than I would have in my younger and poorer days.
It is wonderful being surrounded by folk speaking an array of languages. Our heritage draws people from other places and we should cherish not just the marble but the principles that it memorializes for that is in large part what draws others to us.
DuPont Circle has really nice restaurants. I have been mostly to that area on MAA (Mathematical Association of America) business, for conferences and other programming.
Staying in Virginia near a Metro station was ideal in terms of cost and travel time.
Seeing Trump's portrait in the National Portrait Gallery made me upset, as he enjoys hurting people and he gave encouragement to a good deal of hate getting to and while in the presidency. I feel the same way about Andrew Jackson.
I wish that the Capitol building did not house so much treasure; it seems greedy to make people come there to see it.
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