SUNDAY, BEFORE MEETING my cousins at the National Building Museum in Washington DC, I took a walk around the National Mall where 11 of the 19 museums of the Smithsonian Institution are located, as well as 8 monuments and memorials. I lucked out with the weather. The torrential downpour didn't begin until just before I had to meet my family. I stopped for a quick lunch at The Greene Turtle Restaurant where I was given a giant trash bag as a raincoat. I swam to the Building Museum a few blocks away.
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| FOOD TRUCKS (AND THE CAPITAL BUILDING). CAMIONES DE COMIDA (Y EL EDIFICIO DE CAPITAL) |
EL DOMINGO, ANTES de reunirme con mis primos en el Museo Nacional de la Construcción en Washington DC, di un paseo por el Washington Mall, donde se encuentran 11 de los 19 museos de la Smithsonian Institution, así como 8 monumentos y memoriales. Tuve suerte con el clima. La lluvia torrencial no comenzó hasta un poco antes de que tuve que conocer a mi familia. Me detuve para almorzar en The Greene Turtle Restaurant, donde me dieron una bolsa de basura gigante como impermeable. Nadé hasta el Museo de la Construcción, a unas pocas calles de distancia.
Nota: En inglés, un "mall" es también un centro commercial. Un "mall rat" (rata de un centro comercial) es una persona a quien le gusta ir de compras.
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| FOOD TRUCKS (AND THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT). CAMIONES DE COMIDA (Y EL MONUMENTO A WASHINGTON). |
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| THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION "CASTLE." EL "CASTILLO" DE LA INSTITUCIÓN SMITHSONIAN. |
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| ARTS AND INDUSTRIES BUILDING, ORIGINALLY THE NATIONAL MUSEUM IN 1881. EDIFICIO DE ARTES Y INDUSTRIAS, ORGINALMENTE EL MUSEO NACIONAL EN 1881 |
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| HIRSHHORN MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART. MUSEO HIRSHHORN DE ARTE CONTEMPORÁNEO. |
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| BY SCULPTOR JEFF KOONS, 1987. POR ESCULTORA JEFF KOONS, 1987. |
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| NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, EAST BUILDING. GALERÍA DE ARTE NACIONAL, EDIFICIO ESTE. |
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| NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, WEST BUILDING. GALERÍA DE ARTE NACIONAL, EDIFICIO OESTE. |
Must be a lot of hungry people in front of that Capitol building.
ReplyDeleteKitk:
DeleteThe location of the food trucks distorts the view up and down the mall. That would be a long walk for lunch for those Capitol building people. And most of them wouldn't make the effort nor pay for their own lunch, I'm sure.
food trucks are cool! we have always had food trucks in philly!
ReplyDeleteanne marie:
DeleteThe trend has grown since we left the States and I saw they now even have foodie shows about food trucks on American TV.
Great shots, Mitchell, and more food trucks than I would have thought. Did you stitch together the image of the Arts and Industries Building? There is something funky going on with the tower to the right of the main entrance.
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteThanks so much for pointing out the funky tower! Nope, I didn't stitch anything together. I replaced my old mouse with a sexy new trackpad. It has a mind of its own and I'm seriously regretting the purchase. I've replaced the photo! I wasn't thrilled with the food trucks since they destroy the long, dramatic vistas of the mall. It used to be a much grander view in either direction.
And I was wondering if you didn't take a wee on the White House lawn? I guess not.
ReplyDeletemistress maddie:
DeleteI couldn't even bring myself to LOOK at the White House. I'm surprised it hasn't been gold-leafed.
Balder Half has visited here when he attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. He told me I would love it. From these pictures I know he was right. I, however, am not pouring my fat lack of behind into another airplane seat made for toddlers! I'll settle for seeing what's within driving distance here. Love the buildings!
ReplyDeleteDeedles:
DeleteIt's a spectacular city... Too bad about what's going on there!
I absolutely LOVED my visit to the Smithsonian American Art museum, and to the Smithsonian history museum, especially to see Julia Child's kitchen :) But, I loved the other stuff, too. Then, the National Gallery literally brought me to tears... I actually got choked up when I walked into the special exhibit (that I didn't know they were having) of some couple's collection of Sargents, Renoirs, etc. I'm not sure if it's still there all together, or if it was just a special exhibit at the time. This was one of them: Sargent, Repose
ReplyDeleteDid you see the Michelle and Barack paintings!!?? Tell me you did!
Judy:
DeleteGiven the crowds, weather, and available time, I didn't get inside most of the museums this time around. I loved the ones you mentioned. And sorry I didn't see the Obama paintings or the Obamas in the flesh!
I love the Mall.I could get lost there but at least they'll have food!
ReplyDeleteBob:
DeleteI also love the mall. All those amazing museums, too... and free! The food trucks were busy and I know that's a good place for them to locate but it sure did ruin the view of the grand mall.
On my bucket list now!!
ReplyDeleteJim:
DeleteMaybe you can go when IT is out of office -- for the international celebration.
National gallery of art almost seemed endless. I was really happy they let you take (even flash) photos there.
ReplyDeleteAdam:
DeleteI'm surprised they allow flash photos. That's rare. I didn't go in this time (no time) but I used to love going there.
Misty water color memories! LOL about swimming to the building museum. I remember that most of the summer, you could swim through the humidity in the air...
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteYep. We had days like those you remember. 90F, 90 percent humidity. The rain was a relief.