Washington DC 2006

The day before I was admitted to the NIH, my Mom and I did a little sightseeing in Washington DC. We took the subway from Bethesda to the National Mall, where all the famous monuments are located. It was a bit surreal to be there again after 17 years!

The Washington Monument is so impressive (and huge!) in person but hard to get an impressive photo of. At left, we see the flags that surround the bottom of it, and at right, the long view from across the reflecting pool

The World War II Memorial is new since our last visit to DC (in 1989). It is very striking. At left, my Mom poses in front of the entrance. At right, the main center area of the memorial (and the Lincoln Memorial in the background).

At left: This is one of my favorite photos. The tiny girl in the yellow shirt sat by the fountain in silence for a very long time. At times, it seemed like she was there all alone, just contemplating.

At right: The monument features these tall columns with the names of states on them.

At left: Streets in downtown DC.

At right: The Treasury Building. It seems every building in DC is impressive!

At left: Souvenir stands near the White House.

At right: Pennsylvania Avenue!

The White House. Pretty much every tourist stops at exactly the same spot to take this very picture. It is quite an amazing view.

At right: That's me. At the White House. I really was in DC!!

I really think that western Maryland and West Virginia are hidden treasures in the U.S. They are so gorgeous! You turn a corner and are greeted with these awesome mountain views. These are both in Maryland.

----