Travelog for: Snuff

Tonight we have dinner at the hotel.  We are here in Washington DC for a special event, the 10th anniversary of BookCrossing.



The organizers and the president talk about how happy we are all here. 



Even the U.S. President, Obama, is here to celebrate!!



This cheese platter is arranged to look like Ballycumber, BookCrossing's mascot.



The participants talk about books while we try to put together the Capitol building (after accidentally taking it down like a Godzilla...)

Today we visit the National Museum of the American Indian.  It's the newest addition to the National Mall Smithsonian museums.

Outside the museum are some sculptures of tipis, the tents that some tribes live in.  We released a [url=www.bookcrossing.com]BookCrossing[/url] book about Native Americans there.



Here is a beautiful display of figurines. 



Here are some metal crafts.



This is a statue of Pocahontas, I think.



The first part of the exhibit is Our Universes, and introduces the creation myth and cultural philosophies of different tribes.  It examines the past 500 years of history from a Native point of view.



Here is a display of ceremonial objects.  Including some corns, animal horns and gourd.



These are some scary masks!



But this one is almost cute!



These are parkas made by Alaska Natives. 



A beaded doll, boots, and a baby carrier.



This part of the exhibit Our Lives, focusing on the cultural, social, linguistic and political issues of Native people and communities in the 21st century.



It talks about issues they face today, such as keeping their traditions.



There is also an exhibit of contemporary arts created by Native Americans.



A display of eating utensils outside the restaurant.  The restuarant features a Native-inspired menu that represents five different regions of the Western Hemisphere. Entrées include fire-roasted cedar-planked salmon, buffalo burgers, Indian fry bread, tamales and other dishes



Here is an exhibit of watercrafts. 

This one called outrigger canoe is used in Hawaii.  The outrigger float is called the ama, and helps stabilize the boat in wavy conditions.



This is a canoe made with animal skins.



This boat is made with some kind of weed or grass.



We sit inside this kayak.



This type of totem is typical of Northwestern Native Americans.  Unfortunately we couldn't remember what is the story.  We think it's a squirrel and a coyote...



We visit the gift shop.  These dreamcatchers will trap bad dreams while letting the good ones pass through.



These wooden chickens are really cute!



Little toys made from Pevurian gourds.



Corn is a popular food of the Native Americans.  Here's some popcorn to enjoy!

We left the American Indian museum and continue on to the next one.  The Smithsonian Institution has a total of 19 museums and a zoo, all free entrance to the public.  Many of the museums are in an area called The Mall: Air and Space Museum, American Art Museum, Natural History Museum, Freer Gallery of Art,  African American History and Culture Museum, as well as American History Museum, which we are visiting next.  At both ends of the Mall you can see the Capitol building and the Washington Monument. 





Continental gunboat Philadelphia is the only surviving gunboat built and manned by American Forces during the Revolutionary War.  It was built and sunk in 1776.



This is a model of how the boat might look like.



Next we visit some exhibits about the children of presidents.  This is a toy house built for one of the children. 



A representation of the streets named after presidents. 



There is an exhibition about the First Ladies' dresses.  This one was worn by Martha Washington, George Washington's wife in the early 1780s.



On the left side is  white silk damask evening gown Julia Grant wore in the early 1870s.  The rose-patterned fabric was a gift from the emperor of China.  Lucy Hayes wore the gold damask and cream satin gown displayed on right to the White House New Year’s reception in 1880.



These are the dresses worn by Hilary Clinton and Laura Bush at their inaugural balls.



And this pretty white one was worn by Michelle Obama.



Next we visit an exhibit about African American slavery.  It's very sad to read about the cruelty they endured.





American buffalos used to roam the land.  Now they are very reduced in numbers. 



The museum shows how people lived in the past.  It's a lot of work for small tasks, like washing clothes!!



This marble statue was sculpted for the centennial of George Washington's birth.  He is considered the father of the country.  The statue was modeled after Greek God Zeus, but unfortunately when it arrived in Washington, DC in 1841, it generated controversy and criticism. Many found the sight of a half-naked Washington offensive, even ridiculous.  In the end, the people decided to just build an obelisk.



There's an exhibition about pop up books.  We really like that, the books are so beautifully crafted.



These open up as stars.



In the exhibit about transportation, this depicts the first automobile drive across the country in 1903.



Trains are very important, even today, in transporting goods, as well as people. 



This is how a school bus used to look like.



Finally at the basement level is an exhibit of Julia Childs.  She introduced French cooking to the Americans. 



The moved her kitchen into the museum.



She had many gadgets in her kitchen, from old fashion mortar and pestle to new electric blender. 

Tonight we have dinner at the hotel for the BookCrossing convention. 

We have the organizers explaining what the future plans are, and an author as guest speaker.  Then some members from Ireland come on stage to tell us about next year's convention in Dublin.  Wish I could be there.



We take a picture with Orange and Wolle, whom we met yesterday.  Orange decides to come with us to visit Florida.  We are so excited! 

Today we go to the National Zoo.



We get to see the Giant Panda.  It's kind of hiding behind the trees, but we are still very excited.



We release a book about Giant Panda here.



There are lots of pandas here in the gift shop! 



We check out the small mammals.  This one is a monkey with a funny face.



Can you spot the tiger in the cave?  We release a tiger book here too.



We say hi to a whole family of lions.  Lenny is especially excited.



Here's a cheetah, the fastest animal on earth!



I get very excited when I heard that there are prairie dogs.  I never heard of dogs living in a zoo.  But hmm, someone must have made a mistake.  It doesn't look a bit like a dog to me.  I bark to him but he doesn't understand me.  What a disappointment!!



We release a book at this Praire Dog statue.  The book is titled The Blue Fox, but since that part of the exhibit is closed we release it here.  It has been caught!!

Such busy days going around sight seeing, it's time to take a break.  Let's sit down for a cup of tea!

We find this tea shop in Georgetown.  Founded in 1751, the city of Georgetown is much older than the establishment of the city of Washington.



We enter the shop. 



The decoration is very traditional Chinese.  I don't feel like I am in America at all!



The shop sells a lot of tea and paraphernalia, like teapots, magazines and more.



On the shelf are many jars of tea with different names: Dragon Well, Jade Cloud, Golden Needle, Monkey King, Oriental Beauty, Silver Needle, Hairy Crab, Chrysanthemum Oolong... What interesting names!!



Wow look at all the different tea pots!!  They are made with a special clay from China.



Let's find a place to sit!



We read the menu to select our tea.



Now we wait for the water to boil!



We ordered a tea called Floating Lantern.  I don't see how it looks like a lantern, but my host tells me to be patient.



Look!  After a few minutes, the bud blossoms.  How beautiful it is! And it tastes very good too!

Now on to more sight seeing!

The Old Stone House is the oldest standing building in Washington, D.C. and the last Pre-Revolutionary Colonial building on its original foundation.  The lot was purchased in 1764 for one pound, ten shillings.



The original house was only one story high but later owner added two more floors.



The hearth in the kitchen is large enough to heat the whole house.



The family dined in the dining room on the second floor.  The clock was built in the early 19th century by the owner of the house then. There was a dumbwaiter to transport food from the first floor kitchen to the dining room here.



On the same floor is the master bedroom.





We climb up the narrow stairs and reach the third floor, where the children's bedroom is.

Next we visit Georgetown University.  It's a very famous university.  Found in 1791, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States.  Among its alumni are Bill Clinton, King Abdullah II of Jordan, as well as many royalties and head of government from other countries. 

The main campus is just over 104 acres (0.4 km2).  Healy Hall, built in Flemish Romanesque style from 1877 to 1879, is the architectural gem of Georgetown's campus, and is a National Historic Landmark.



In the center of the campus is a bronze statue of John Carroll.  He was appointed by Pope Pius VI as the first head of the Roman Catholic Church in America, and is the founder of the university.




The cherry blossoms on campus are blooming beautifully.



Completed in 1933, the White-Gravenor Building houses several classrooms, the Georgetown College Dean's Office, The Office of the Undergraduate Admissions and the university registrar.



Ignatius of Loyola was s Spanish knight and the founder of  the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).



There is a little pond next to it with some kois inside.



Let's sit down and play some chess!

We continue on to walk around town. 



The cherry blossoms are so beautiful.



We walk along Pennsylvania Ave. 



We reach Washington Circle, where you can see a statue of, who else, Washington on a horse.



This is Renwick Gallery, another Smithsonian art museum.



This is LaFayette Park, in the center is a statue is President Andrew Jackson.



In the four corners are statues of foreign Revolutionary War heroes, from France, Poland, and Prussia.



This is the White House Press Center.



Look here's some white cherry blossoms!



This tree looks interesting, like it's growing flowers on the branches!



Across from Lafayette Square, on the other side of Pennsylvania Ave, lives a very important person...



Yes, ... the President of United States!! I've heard that Obama has adopted a dog, but sadly I couldn't find the First Dog to play with.



I try to look for the Secret Agent K9 unit but they are not around either.  Sigh...



This is the U.S. Department of Treasury. 



And here's the headquarters of the National Geographic Society.



The Democratic donkey and Republican elephant.  These two animals are used to represent the two parties in U.S. government.



We see this beautiful building but now cannot remember what it is!

On the last day of our visit, we go to the National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum. 



It's across the street from the International Spy Museum, which sounds very exciting!  Maybe we will visit next time. 



This cute trolley goes around town.



Downtown Heritage Trail is composed of 21 poster-sized signs that gives interesting facts which link the history of the city to the history of the nation. According to this sign, Abraham Lincoln walked right where we are standing now!  The museum used to be the Grand Hall of the Patent Office, where Lincoln’s second inaugural ball was held, and the Office was used as a hospital during civil war.



The first section we visit has American folk arts. 





The giraffe is made with bottle caps. 



Next we visit the protrait museum where different styles of protraits, paintings and sculptures are displayed. 



They are very famous American writers: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and.. mmm... we remember it as Poe but can't say for sure. 



Now this one I recognize! It's Joan of Arc!



And these two also!  Previous Presidents Clinton and Bush!

After the museum we all feel hungry.  Chinatown is just a few minutes' walk away. 



At this restaurant, a lady is making dumplings.  She is breaking the dough into small pieces which she then roll flat to use as skin for wrapping the stuffing in. 



We go in and order pork dumpling, BBQ with rice, and beef noodle, with a glass of soy milk. 



We don't want to brag, but Mocha and I agree that the dumplings are much better ones in Hong Kong. 

Afterwards, we have to head to the airport.  I don't want to leave yet, but I am sure more adventure awaits me! 

Umm, mommy, I can explain... I am sorry I am not home yet as I promised but I can explain...

You see, we came back from the trip in Washington D.C.  It was fun, we went to a lot of places, and even get to meet other TVs.  Then we came home. 

I had my lugguage all packed up when I overheard my friends talking about a trip.  Turns out they are going on another trip!  How could I miss that?  I want to go too!  My host is not sure about it, I've promised to go home after DC, and she doesn't want you to think that she kidnapped me.  But I look at her with big, sad, cute puppy eyes, which I must say I am really good at, and she relents. 

And I really promise that I will be home soon! 

I miss you too! 

Yippy!!  We are travelling again!  This time we are heading south, to a place called Key West.  The word Key actually comes from Spanish Cayo, which means a small island.  At the southern tip of Florida, there is an archipelago of 4500 islands, and Key West is the westernmost of the inhabited islands.



We drive along the Seven Mile Bridge.  You can see another bridge to our side.  That's the old bridge built in 1909-1912 and destroyed by a hurricane in 1935.  This bridge has been filmed in movies like  True Lies, 2 Fast 2 Furious and the James Bond film Licence to Kill, as well as in the car show Top Gear.



After 3 hours of driving, we arrive at Key West!



We are here for a event called Key West Paddle Board Classic.  We will paddle 12 miles to circle around the island.



A lot of people have gathered at the starting point at Smathers Beach already.



Everybody is getting ready for the race.



This is a shop for renting stand up paddleboards.



There are many different types of boats.  These two are kayak and outrigger canoe.



Here are surf ski, kayak, stand up paddle board and stand up kayaks.



This one is kind of like your regular rowboat, called a dory.  It's open at the end so any water entering the boat can drain away easily, and waves can go through without capsizing the boat.



Our host is very excited about this outrigger canoe, because it looks like the one she has at home. 



Some of her friends are on this 12-men outrigger canoe. 



As for us, we are riding in this, a dragon boat!!  It can sit 20 people.



Let's take a picture with the dragon!



Wow, people are leaving the shore to go to the start line!!  How exciting!



The trip around the island is a lot of fun.  We pass through waves and calm water, we see beaches, mangrove, and hotels.  Sadly we do not take too many photos though, because our host doesn't want to be taking pictures while other people are paddling hard.  We don't want to get thrown out of the boat. 



You can see the finish line behind us.  People stand up there to cheer for the paddlers.  The fastest ones take a little two hours, the slower ones three or even four hours.



Now we can sit on the beach and relax!!

We do a quick tour about Key West before we head home.  Key West is known as the southernmost city in the Continental United States.  A little interesting fact: In 1860 wrecking (salvaging valuables from shipwrecks) made Key West the largest and richest city in Florida and the wealthiest town per capita in the U.S.



We pass by the Southernmost Hotel.



And the Southernmost House.



I am here at the southernmost point of Continental U.S.!  This used to be a sign but it was stolen so often that they put this big, impossible to steal monument instead. 



One interesting feature here is that you will see a lot of chicken running around.  Many years ago, a law was made that prohibits killing the birds on the island, to ban voodoo practices.  Hmm... I want to chase them around but I am warned that there are too many of them and I won't want them chasing after me!



Here in Key West is the beginning of US Route 1.  It is a major north–south U.S. Highway that runs the length of the East Coast of the United States and runs 2,377 miles (3,825 km) from Fort Kent, Maine at the Canadian border all the way south to Key West, Florida.  If I drive along this road I will go all the way up to Canada, though it will take a long, long time.



We cross the street, and what do we have?  The end of US 1, ha ha.



One interesting thing tourist will find is that there are lots of chicken running around Key West.  This is because of a law that prohibits killing the birds on the island, established many years ago to ban voodoo practices.  As a result, nowadays you can see chicken crossing every street around town. 



We also come by the house of Earnest Hemingway.  He is a very famous author who wrote Old Man and the Sea.  He wrote several of his novels here, including For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Snows of Kilimanjaro.  I hear that Hemingway had many cats and they still live here now (or their children and grandchildren are), so I really want to go and check it out, but my host thinks it may spell trouble. Why?  It's not fun!! 

It's not easy to say goodbye, but I realize that I  has stayed here for a year and a half, and has gone to a lot of places, and it's time for me to go home.  I am missing my mommy is missing awfully, so I am very excited to see her again.  However, I feel sad that I haven't heard from Sniff...  I hope he is doing fine.  It saddens me that he is not going home with me together. 

Anyway, I am happy to be friends with other TVs, and today we go out for a little farewell party.

We come to this Irish restaurant.



It's very beautiful inside with all the wood furnishings. 



There are some old books and things to add a rustic charm. 



We order some fish and chips. 



This is an Irish dish called Bangers and Mash.  It has a funny name, I've never tried it before.  It's sausages with mashed potatoes.  I like it!



For dessert we have some bread pudding.



Cheers to friendship!!  We are too small to drink Irish beer, although I'd love to try that.  My dear friends, I will miss you all, and hope that we will cross path again!  Oh, I want to cry!!