Living History: Washington D.C.

When you ask Americans why they travel to Europe, many of them will tell you because they are interested in history and culture. When you ask them if they have ever visited their own capitol, they deny. It seems to be a general tendency of behavior, also in Europe, to travel far away and not know our closer surrounding properly. In this case it's a pity, because, Washington D.C. is one of the most impressive cities in US I have seen.

The American capitol connects history, politics and science with a modern spirit. It's a great place to spend easily a week. One thing you need to know: yes you can use he underground and it only takes minutes to be where you want. But to be honest: I recommend to wear your most comfortable sneakers and walk. There are so many monuments, whole blocks where each building has a meaning, small details to discover in parks... not walking would mean you miss all of that and that's a pity. The amount of sightseeing spots is endless, but there are a few specific ones, you shouldn't miss at all.

1. Start with the heart of the democracy - the Capitol. If you want to freely choose the slot when to visit, you best book two weeks ahead of time. On the day of entry, arrive early! You have to stand in line to get through security and with you will be crowds of tourist and school groups. Inside, you show your ID and reservation to get your ticket. From then on you are part of a guided tour through the public parts of the building. The outside look is already impressive, but the inside... you could also stand in middle of Rom. My favorite were the Rotunda, the 180ft high centerpiece, and the whisper corner. The building and it's history is a great representation of the country and it's values.

2. Walk down the national mall and have a stop at the Smithsonian Visitor Center. Smithsonian Institute is a science organization which owns a number of museums in town. The idea is to share knowledge and insights with the broader population, that's why all their museums are for free. In the visitor center you get an overview of offerings and buildings. Take that chance. Otherwise you run blindly through every museum and they are huge! Whatever topic you go for, you will be impressed about the density of information available. For example the National Museum for Natural History where you can see everything from dinosaurs, to diamonds to a whale hanging on the ceiling. As a side note: with it's red bricks, the castle-like architecture and the peaceful garden in the back, it is also a lovely place to take a small break.

3. To call out my favorite of the Smithsonian options, it's the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. I originally went in already judging the US. I was prepared to see mostly stories about America being the savior. But, I think it was the best representation of the Holocaust I have ever seen. It starts at the entrance where senior people give you a small card. On that card you find a name and the story of this person. This is the identity you have while walking through the museum. It's an impressive kick-off and it's hard to get the fuzzy feeling out of your stomach again. If you would like to hear a real story: all those senior ones are volunteers and most of them had family members being part of the cruel history. The museum walks you through several phases of the Holocaust and reflects the pure reality. Need to know: I would not recommend it when traveling with kids. Even for a grown-up some of the details are tough to digest.

4. Next stop is through the park, cross the bridge to the Arlington National Cemetery. We all know soldiers die during the war. It's horrible and we are grateful for their sacrifice. But imagine you also see the numbers of deaths we talk about! Every grave is the same as far as your sight can reach. A cold shower crosses your back. I loved to feel the respect towards the fallen, especially at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and the silence covering the place. I had the chance to watch a ceremony going through the graveyard, hearing the salute shoots. Stunning.

5. Go back to downtown on the other side of the National Mall, pass by the Lincoln Memorial and the White House. The last knowledge recommendation of mine is the Newsroom. A Museum about news and journalists of the last few decades. I loved the mix of interaction and learning. On one side you see a piece of the New York Twin Towers and statistics about free speech worldwide. On the other side you can put emojis on a wall to show your opinion, for example about who should be President. It's a nice way to raise awareness about a topic that is part of all our lives.

6. Finally, and a bit more outside of town: the Zoo. If you travel with children or you just want to relax, it's a great place to go and it's for free, because it is part of the Smithsonian Institute. They are most famous for their Pandas, placed close at the entrance, but I personally was completely excited by the orangutans. Climbing on a rope, they can freely move between buildings or they decide just to hang above your head and watch the people. Very cool idea and very animal friendly.

In summary: Washington D.C. might not be up on everybody's agenda as it is not so fancy like New York. But is a great place to go for sightseeing. One tip: don't underestimate the weather. I went in spring, had stunning sunshine, but was dressed like in mid-December. The wind can be freezing cold.