We really enjoyed our visit to the stately and elegant city of Washington, D.C. which has a great deal to offer every taste. The Smithsonian complex of museums can keep one occupied for a couple of weeks alone! One memorable museum was the Museum of Air and Space. We also visited the American History Museum and the Natural History Museum where we saw the Hope Diamond.

The capital of the United States (named after the first U.S. President, George Washington), also offers activities in arts and culture and fine hotels, and symbolizes over two hundred years of American history. Washington is the seat of American politics and as such features many tourist attractions such as the majestic Capitol Building, the White House, the Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln Memorials, the Vietnam Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery, just to mention a few.

Throughout the downtown area of Washington are found colorfully depicted figures of elephants and donkeys. These animals represent the American political parties, the Republicans and the Democrats.

Capitol Building: The Capitol building, one of Washington's unmistakable landmarks has housed the Senate and the House of Representatives since 1800. George Washington laid the cornerstone of the building in 1793. The Capitol building is divided into three sections: The North Wing, which houses the Senate, the South Wing for the House of Representatives and the Rotunda.

Arlington National Cemetery gravestones: This beautiful and peaceful cemetery, located across the Potomac River from Washington in the suburb of Arlington, is the final resting place of some two hundred and fifty thousand souls who fought in various conflicts for their country. The first soldier buried there in 1864 was one who fought in the Civil War. On a personal note, I have a great-aunt buried here who was married to an American military doctor. Great-Aunt Edna was my grandmother's sister and died in 1930.

The site also contains the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where the changing of a military guard takes place daily.We were spectators at this ceremony - it was an extremely moving experience. The Confederate Monument and the Custis-Lee mansion (Arlington House) are also found within the environs of the cemetery.