Winter Break Stop 3-Washington DC

It all started from sleeping at Miami International Airport! I felt so tired and a little sickly so I slept through the night.

Woke up at 5.30am and ran to the terminal with YR. When we checked in it was just nicely. Slept the whole way through to Memphis. Came out to change flight 2 Washington. Reached Washington and took the Metro to the hostel. It was quite convienient as it was just like 4 blocks away from the metro. Staright away we walked around with Eng Hwa to start to explore the city. Had Lunch at Chinatown which was just a stones throw away and started walking. We reached the White house, Treasury, the national Christmas tree and finally the Washington Memorial before going back 2 makan at Chinatown.

The next day we went makan at Chinatown again and this time we did a workload of walking! We hit the Smithsonians instantly-Natural History, Air and Space, American Indian and then detoured to Capital Hill. We went and took some pictures there before going to the other Smithsonian-American Hsitory. Saw the original Star Spangled Banner-The one that inspired the USA national Anthem during the Baltimore War. We left it when it closed at 7.30pm towards the WW2 memorial. After that we hit the Reflection pool before going up to the Lincoln Memorial. It was SO SO SO COLD that night! After that we decided to ditch the Jefferson Memorial as it was too far. Went back to Chiantown again to makan before EH had to pack to leave 2 New York the next day.

Woke up a little early that day as was going 2 meet Jessica and Amy for the 1ST TIME!!! We met that as true 2 YR's word, Amy is fun and very animated. Jessica was at the quite side. We had fun and talked till almost 11am and had 2 leave as YR and EH had 2 go 2 NY. Amy left as she had something elso on before we went the bustop. After sending them off, Jessica taught me how 2 go shopping before leaving me. I went 2 Columbia Heights 2 shop for a while before heading 2 the Smithosians again 2 see them more clearly this time as yesterday was a rush job. Started with the Smithsonian Castle then to the Air and Space musium and then to American Indian. Stopped by The National Gallery of Art and saw BEAUtiful pictures but didnt have that much time 2 join the tour. It was very informational but the tour guide would spend almost 15-20 minutes explaining 1 picture and I was at a time cruch so I just went 4 2 pictures b4 heading towards my 4 stop which was Natural History. Saw the Hope Diamond before leaving to my last stop which was American Hsitory. LOVED the president gallery!!! Finished it and head back to the hostel 4 a free tour 2 Georgetown. Yes there is a Georgetown in DC!!!! 1st stop was the famous Cafe Milano where loads of celebrities always comes 2 dine when in DC. Next was the last house that was owned by JFK before being elected president. Also went to Georgetown University to have a look see look see. It was a great site. Very nice architecture! Rich kids school as it cost almost USD250K for a 4 years education. Finished the tour with what was called the Exorcist stairs.

The next day when I woke up, YR had brought her Mum 2 the hostel. We went to makan at Chinatown before heading out. Went to the National Archieves and saw the Declearation of Independence, Bill of Rights and the Constitution. It was like watching the National Treasure! So cool=) Next we went to The Air and Space Musium for Lunch before heading back 2 the hostel for a trip to the Kennedy Theater of Performance Art where we had a free performance from the Harry Waters Quartet. Felt very weird when something happened but hey it did not happen to me and I just observed. There was no desperately bad situation and was a handleable situation that did not urgently require my assistance so I mah just observe nia lo=) As it was New Years Eve, I wanted 2 count down at Lincoln Memorial but the weather was just too cold!!! So at 11.10pm, YR and I walked out of our hostel and there and behold I saw a church. So i decided 2 go in to see if they have Watch Night Service and they do. Surprise surprise it was a black church but we still sat through it. Honestly there was no better place to end the old year and start the New Year then being in Church=) After Church we went to the White House and that was the furthest we went as It was too DARN CoLD!! went to Chinatown instead to makan my 1st meal of the year=) Laughed at sausage fingers all the way back to the hostel. It was a GREAT NITE/MORNING=)

The next day we went to the Franklin D Roosevelt Memorial. We walked all the way passing through the Washington Memorial again and this time we walked across the Kutz Bridge. Saw the place where they planted the Cherry Bloosom trees from Japan.It would look so much nicer is it was Spring when the flowers bloom. FDR's Memorial was a good place 2 be and I understood why it was Amy and Jessica's favourite Memorial=) We then went 2 the Halocaust Musuem. Saw loads of stuff that was mind boogling and I had too take time 2 digest. All the horrible things down to the ppl we just so sad and i wish it would never reach that stage ever in Malaysia of the extremist decided go beseck or worst-gain power like Adolf Hitler did! Went back 2 the hostel and had Mac and Cheese for supper and that was when I learnt more things!!!

And that lead to today when I travelled all the way from this morning at 9.30am aboard the Megabus travelling from Washington DC to NYC! It was a 5 hour long bus but I saw loads of places-Boltimore,New Jersey and NYC! Walked from 7th Ave to Penn Station. The place is seriously dirty and the ppl are rude. Was craming in the NJ transit and had a unpleasant encounter with a grandma and her grand daughter. Yes I understand she wants 2 go toilet but do u need 2 be so rude! Cant u see the whole place is jam packed with bags and stuff? somemore insist must make way for her-pi la u!!! Then got 2 old hags there saying like travelling must pack light stuff, crazy 2 pack so big bags-Come on women, Know ur facts before u talk abt other ppl k! IF u dun know head or tail then PLEASE keep ur comments 2 urself!! When we reached the Sheraton Hotel then another drama- Gave us 3 rooms 2 go tikam and see if anyone there not, if not then can take the room! Wat the heck wei! First they say its not our name, then they loose our keys, then they give 3 different keys to go tikam to see which door opens 2 an unoccuppied room. After a whole lot waiting and a complimentary buffet woucher for 3 later, they gave us a room with 2 queen size beds. By then I was so hungry and tired that I ahd to order take out as I was so hungry from all the waiting and the tiredness. A good shower and some good food later, hence me writing this to u=)

Overall Washington DC was AWESOME!!! The history, the culture, the Musuems and the transportation was so much more convinient. In fact at some point, it even flet like little Penang minus the good food=) It is a great place 2 explore and would need a minumum of a weeks stay 2 be able to claim that I have at least seen what DC has to offer. Now that I'm in Sharaton Newark awaiting a new adventure with thw tour, lets see what better stuff lies ahead...Am so curious 2 see what the New England states have 2 offer ...

Till then..ciao=)