I had a good night’s sleep and awoke to the treat of being able to lie around and read my book. There was a little noise from the street level and I decided I best join the living by getting out and seeing something. It looked like it was FotoWeek in DC. Score -- I love photography -- whether it be the old work or the new work.
As I headed out to 18th to an old Borders they were using as a facility, I got to pass the Occupying Forces -- protestors. Their signs were all spelled correctly and some of them were funny and spot on.
Further down the road, I realized -- it wasn’t the 5th yet, duh? It didn’t start until the 5th. C’est la vie. What to do now that was close to this area?
a different style up here...
Change of direction led me toward the National Geographic, but God led me to the door of St. Matthew’s Cathedral first. That’s the only explanation because I rarely get lost.
It is a magnificent structure. On the outside it doesn’t look like much -- reddish stone with a mosaic of the saint. But when you step inside -- prepare to be astonished. Beautiful mosaics everywhere. It reminded me of the great cathedrals and churches I have seen in Europe - the size, the style, and the opulence.
To the left there was an area with a different statue of Mary. I sat for a while in the middle (though I am not a Catholic, I am a Christian and pray daily) and had a few moments of quiet reflection and prayer. In the front, there was a marker showing where they performed a Mass here for Kennedy’s funeral. There was another area that was set up like an Italian courtyard and it was very well lit. On the way out there was a small locked chapel where a couple of bishops are buried. If you get to DC I highly recommend you stop in and check this place out. It was an unexpected place to end up on such a weekend.
I did get to the National Geographic Center. I didn’t have time to go through the Explorer’s Hall. But I did have time to go to the shop and see what the place was about -- it goes on the list to see next time. In the entryway, there is a reproduction of the Grand Canyon on the ceiling and a huge gold medallion on the floor with the National Geographic Society.
Like last night I had dinner with an old friend, and today I met him again for lunch. He got us reservations at Georgia Brown -- an excellent restaurant across McPherson Square from our restaurant last night. I had gotten there early and I was seated in between two full tables. OMG they were all lawyers and they were talking business. I thought I was getting a rash. Judge this, lawyer that, custody this, protective order that, ugh.
Thankfully he showed up and our conversation diverted my attention from theirs. They had a fixed lunch menu and I got the Fried Green Tomato, Black Eye Pea Cake and sweet potato cheesecake with a coconut macaroon. Our waiter was not that nice, but the rest of the staff was. The food was extremely good and the restaurant was very pleasant. There was modern decor with a strange ribbon like sculpture hung from the ceiling.
On the way out work caught up with me and I got sidelined for a little. Some people just don’t listen. Went back to the hotel to take care of business.
I got a taxi to the Martin Luther King Memorial -- my taxi driver was from Ethiopia. He said he was naturalized but didn’t vote, odd situation.
The day was so pretty out -- bright sun, not too many clouds in the sky, and it was a very pleasant temperature. The walk up to the memorial was close to the road. There were two large stones that looked like the middle was cut out and shoved forward. MLK was carved into the side that faced the water and the Jefferson Memorial. Along the wall with the stones, there were MLK quotes that make you stop and think and relate to today as well as the past.
Lots of people were there taking pictures -- it had just opened. The fall foliage was in full blast along the lake.
I walked up to the Lincoln Memorial, which is my favorite. As usual, tons of people wandering through this place. It always stuns me when I stand at the feet of President Lincoln.
Unfortunately the reflecting pool was under construction so you really had no good view of the mall.
I got a cab to the Supreme Court, where my brother’s friend was going to give me a tour. He has worked there about 5 years and hails from my area. It’s always nice to visit with at sweet Louisiana boy and have him escort me around. No pictures were allowed.
Our first stop on the tour was the Chief Judge’s ante room where we met the staff. His office is the closest to the actual court. Down a hallway was the reception room for the room where the Justice’s go to discuss cases. There were two sets of doors, similar to an airlock going into the room.
The room is like the inner sanctum -- it’s where the cases that set all the others are discussed and debated. No cell phones or laptops are allowed inside. They sit by seniority and the newest justice is the recorder. No one is allowed in the room with them. There were three beautiful chandeliers -- where there used to be one - but they needed more light.
Next was the robing room. Each Justice has someone to help them. There are lockers in order of seniority. I can only imagine how long Justice Kennedy’s is and how little Justice Ginsberg’s is. He did tell me that Ginsberg is so little she could fit in the locker without touching the sides. She is the one who wears those dickey’s, I don’t agree with those -- just wear a shirt with a collar. Also in the room were two bathrooms -- the women’s and the men’s -- of course the women’s was added when O’Connor was put on the court.
In all of the areas there were red carpets. Our next room was another reception room.
Then onto the courtroom, I have been here before but never up this close. There is no photography allowed and everything is recorded by sketch artists. He explained to me where all the players sat -- the Justices’ family/guest area -- complete with plaques. When the president comes he has a special seat. The podium, aka the firing line -- I stood there and even without anyone on the bench you could feel the pressure -- the massive bench for the nine Justices is imposing and way too close to the lawyers area- and there were lights to show you the time you had to argue. On the ceiling and around it were sculptures depicting different law makers in history.
We got on the gold elevator (that had an operator -- I almost wanted to say - “ladies’ shoes please) to take us to the higher floors. Thankfully the nice lady had a chair and a book.
Our next stop was the library. I have a special affection for libraries and this one is now my favorite. The stacks consist of two floors with at least two cases deep of books -- downstairs are the Supreme Court Reporters and upstairs are the states reporters. There are two floors and it was extremely quiet. I can only imagine with the advent of the internet and computer research - this area is not well used. But if you are a Justice, staff or member of their bar you can have access to it.
During the inauguration, he said that some of the staff had to stay there. These people work all the time due to the urgency of some cases that could be ongoing at any time of day. During the inauguration, the staff wasn’t able to easily get back into the court -- so they just camped out. What a magnificent/haunting place to have a slumber party.
Also on this floor was the top of the spiral staircase which is one of the few freestanding marble circular staircases in existence. It was a site to see.
We went to the Justice’s private dining room. There was a fireplace (he said there were a few in the building, which was a New Deal/WPA project) and the Justices don’t sit in seniority order - but your seat is inherited by the justice who takes your place. In this area, they don’t talk about the cases, but instead, their families, lawyers, current events, etc.
We then proceeded to the “highest court” in the land -- on the top floor there is a full on/full size basketball court that looked very well used. There was a gym with weights and machines and showers and locker rooms too.
I appreciated the tour and it was extremely cool to see the inner sanctum.
I hiked up Pennsylvania Avenue past the Old Post Office, the Army Memorial, the Navy Memorial and more occupying protestors -- they were across the street from the Willard Hotel --- where “lobbyist” comes from.
Again I had the good fortune of meeting an old friend to dinner. This friend and I had grown up in the same town and were friends in school. I hadn’t visited him in ages. He works at the Senate.
He picked me up in his standard Nissan, I was duly impressed that he could drive it. And a little astounded that he had it up here where public transportation is so accessible.
We went up near the Adams Morgan area to Lauriol Plaza -- he drove around and around -- like a true guy looking for a parking space. Yes, we ended up using the valet of course.
We had a short wait for the roof -- it was covered but open in a way also. We had chips and queso and then I had a wonderful pork dish- -Masitas de Puerco. It was marinated and very tender pork.
I forgot how much fun he was and we had a great time. He was taking me to Congress tomorrow and said he had a few surprises and treats there. I love surprises and can’t wait.
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