So much for the Bureau of Printing & Engraving!

Hello! 

Visitors entry to Bureau

Summary of the steps used to create money!

Up this morning about 6:30 am and showered and ready to go to breakfast at 7:30 am.  Out about 8 am first to get to the ATM a couple of blocks from here, and then up to K Street to catch the Circulator Bus to Union Station.  Our plan was to catch the yellow bus to Union Station, and then walk over a short block and pick up the red Circulator, which is the one that circles the mall.  We took that to the Bureau of Printing & Engraving.  Had to find their visitor office (which is on 14^th, the next block over) but they were open and we made it for the 9:15 am tour.  Well … first we saw a short film about the history of the department, and then – literally – a less than 15 minute walk to see several presses printing bills, and the checking station where all bills are checked, and finally the cutting and wrapping division – and that was it!  R was VERY unhappy, as he has long wanted to come here.  He stayed after with our very young guide, but according to him, (and I’m not a bit surprised) she really hadn’t a clue as to what was going on other than the script that she had obviously memorized.  So much they could have said but didn’t.  So … that was the end of the tour of Printing & Engraving!

Well … I really hadn’t planned much of anything else to do today, as I figured Printing & Engraving would take up a goodly amount of time!  Ha!  So … we decided to work our way to the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, which our Monuments by Moonlight guide had highly recommended.  First, though, we stopped to see the Vietnam Memorial, which is always a very moving experience.  Still is, for that matter!

Back to the Circulator and this time, around to the Indian Museum. What we hadn’t realized is that this wasn’t a museum about American Indians – this was a Museum about Indians of the Americas – and it covered everything from the frozen North of Canada all the way down to the south of Chile.  First off, the building itself is fabulous.It was designed by a Canadian Indian architect, and is supposed to represent the cliff dwellings of the American Southwest.  Inside, (and there were very few people!) there is a performance space on the first floor, and the museum is open up four floors, to an interesting ceiling.  We began with a short movie about Indians – stunning visuals, that encompassed statuary on the ground, a screen out of a woven blanket, and then visuals project on to the domed ceiling, made to look like sky.  Really good!  From there, we toured the rest of the museum, that included a very special exhibition about the 24,000-mile Incan road network in South America.  Our only complaint was that the museum was a very open space – and with no directional signs; I’m sure we missed out on things, because there was no rhyme or reason to follow.  However, all in all, a beautiful building and really good displays and exhibitions.  We spent several hours there, and finally, about 2 pm we decided to head back to the hotel for a rest. 

Me next to a LOT of $$!

The always stunning Vietnam Memorial

Next to the Vietnam Memorial

 

Made a dash through Air and Space to have a quick lunch (sandwiches and pizza) and then caught the Circulator back towards Union Station once again.  Got back to the hotel around 3:30 pm and made the decision that it was TIME to do LAUNDRY!  Nice laundry area, and I had the place to myself for most of the time I was there (then another couple came down with their suitcase full of laundry, just like me!)  Back up to the room about 5:15 pm and a quick nap before dinner.

Entrance to Museum

Entrance to Museum

Front door!

Looking up at the dome of the Indian museum

Back to Pennsylvania 6 for our last dinner!  Sat in the bar again, at the table right next to “our” booth on Friday.  We started with an appetizer of hot copacola, a salami and a small wedge of cheddar, served with toasts.  Excellent.  I then had a repeat of my burger, which was perfectly cooked and wonderful, with duck fat French fries with truffle aioli. 

Looking down from the 4th floor on to performance space

Beautiful pots!

Loved this painting - creation of the Universe!

R had their scallops, which were wonderful!  Finished by about 7:30 pm and back to the hotel.  I have now repacked us for tomorrow’s train trip to Philadelphia, and we’re watching the U.S. Open as I get ready for an early night!!  Lots to do tomorrow!

R's scallops

My burger and fries!

Much love,

m

xxx