A Touring Day 09/04

This Blog starts the new adventure that I am soon to embark on. As of recently I have moved into an apartment in the nations capitol, Washington DC. On Monday I will begin an internship with the Attorney General's office, and I can not wait for things to start up. However, although my excitement is nearly overwhelming, this is my last truly free week before everything begins; and I plan to make the most of it. While today is mostly been consumed with getting everything checked off of my to-do list, yesterday was a day on the mall. My first trip out here alone was to a tour of the Capitol Building. It was about an hour long tour and went through all the main buildings. It was very exciting to be in an building that was so important in this nations capitol. 

Here's a look at this incredible building from the outside. After being inside for so long it was odd looking at the outside and knowing that I had been roaming through the halls only moments before. I think that a lot of this had to do with the fact that you don't simply walk up the stairs, but rather you go through the information center and pop up in the crypts of the building. 

This is the inside of the dome, which was an amazing painting. The tour guide told us that the painter had to go up on scaffolding to make this painting. If you look closely, it's George Washington sitting at a table with Lady Liberty at his right side.

After going to the Capitol Building I headed on to the National Museum of the American Indian. I wasn't really sure what I would find, but I was really glad that I went. The building outside was an architectural wonder. Inside the exhibits were set up in a way that was almost disorienting. The exhibits themselves were very interesting and I gained a great insight into the lives of those native to America. 

Here's the entrance way to the Museum. The whole building was huge and there was just so much too look at. The front doors are made of thick slabs of glass, engraved in ancient symbols, a perfect way to begin the experience.

These are part of the first exhibit that I looked at. They actually look bigger in this picture than they really were. In fact, they were made to fit an infants little feet, and I just couldn't help posting a picture of them.

 This was part of a newer exhibit on the necessity of horses. This buffalo head has actually been altered as a mask of sorts for a horse, and the slits where the buffalo's eyes once were fit the horses ears. All in and all it was a great head mask for a very confused horse.

I couldn't help but take a few snapshots of the arrowhead exhibit. It was a very long wall that took a stereotype of the native peoples and made it into a great exhibit.

The past week has been extremely fun, and a little bit exhausting. I can't wait to find what the rest of my time here in Washington DC will hold, and I certainly cannot wait to find out.