Enjoying probably the last look on the Washington Mall for this stay we strolled through the sculpture garden of the Hirshhorn Museum before meeting Cynthia Field in front of the Smithsonian Castle. So far, we have attended a couple of symposiums and lectures on the Washington Mall and its buildings surrounding it but it turned out we just scratched the edge of this mighty chapter. Cynthia took us with her into the heart of the Smithsonian Castle, deep into its hidden corridors which are closed for the puplic and showed us the Arts and Industries Building. This old exhibition site features 17 exhibition rooms which are all designed to receive natural light through a multitude of windows. A great feeling to be there.
Kids need entertainment. Hey - just perfect that outside the Smithsonian Castle a merry-go-round was awaiting the foolish crowd of German students. A crazy lightspeed ride of never-ending fun took all of us back into the early years of childhood. Even the Big Boss ;-)
But all of a sudden - INVASION! At least 4 quadtrillquillion Santa Clause Clones, for a blink of an eye peacefully gathering at the side of the Mall, began moving and swarmed all over the walkways. A cheerful clutter of red hats and lots of candy. Magic indeed.
Leisure time after the Smithsonian appointment (we say good-bye to our great guide Cynthia before the carousel-ride) ment this: everyone could follow his or hers own interest and discover one or two of the great museums (most of them run by the Smithsonian Institution), lined up at both sides of the Mall. Among them, American Cultural History Museum, National Air and Space Museum, the Holocaust Museum, and the Portrait Gallery. So now we got expertise in almost every field of science. D.C. - a scientific-terrific place to be!
Cultural diversity and scientific knowledge were followed by an ordinary dinner party, joined by author Frederick Reuss in a seafood restaurant a couple of Metro stations away. The sound of crushing crab-shells dominated the evening, causing several "sailors" to order salads or cheeseburgers. Nevertheless, the night was great and we'd like to thank Fred for his generous gift!
What more is to say of this super type day? Ah yes, snow flakes were falling down the sky in the afternoon and came to rest on the dignified soil of the U.S. capital. A breeze of christmas, don't ya think?
