Following on from the eventful Fourth of July, breaks or respite has been few and far between.
I am searching around for what I actually have left to do in Washington, I must be close to being granted citizenship...
Here follows what has been a very memorable week -
Saturday - 05 July
A Day At The Zoo...
One of the greatest things about Washington, and there are many, is the Smithsonian institution. The parklands, museums, events and festivities that are all laid on free not only save a fortune, but are an amazing asset to tourists and locals alike.
On Saturday, we took advantage of this by heading to the zoo. Not having been to the one in Belfast for years, I'm not sure our little one in Cave Hill can compare. It was Gary, Heather, Mary, Alan and I who jumped at the chance, and we weren't disappointed. The sloth bears were legendary, and the orang-utans were putting on a show. I wasn't too keen on the panda's. Just because they are near extinction they seem to think they own the place. Bit too arrogant for my liking, someone really needs to give them a reality check or their fans will fast turn against them. Besides this though, no complaints...
Sunday - 06 July
A Day At The Gallery...
Thanks to Joyce, we were treated to an expert guided tour of the National Art Gallery. Seeing works by Rembrandt, Picasso, Matisse, Rodin and Jackson Pollock, it was a great introduction to some very recognisable pieces. Of course it must be noted that the gallery contains the only Da Vinci painting in the Western Hemisphere, Ginevra de'Benci. I found it great too that photographs were allowed, and there were no guardrails, only guards, so it was easy to look in detail at these priceless works of art. As I have often said, I have doubts over the virtues of modern art. Drawing a dot on a page and passing it off as talent, or creating a cube and describing it as genius is beyond my appreciation I'm afraid.
Afterwards we went up to Mount Vernon Estate, the original, and renovated home of George Washington. Containing the original bed in which he died, his writing desk, the key to the Bastille that he was presented with by France, and his tomb; it was fascinating, and a great day out.
Monday - 07 July
It was a long day, but it was worth it. With some high profile speakers, it was a day of great organisation from our MT.
First off, the humour of Mark Shields (PBS, CNN), the experience and Harold Ickes (Bill Clinton's Deputy Chief of Staff), and the knowledge of Dotty Lynch (CBS), provided a superb day for us media students, and I hope the others as well. Enough said about the South African reporter who followed; how someone so clearly pressing several agenda's can think of themselves as a journalist is beyond me.
After all this, and as if it weren't tiring enough, we travelled to St Albans school, where we took part in a mock debate, completely non-serious and a good laugh. The American who deliberately spoke near 200 words a minute had us in stitches, and if anything, probably won the argument that Obama would be better than McCain.
Tuesday - 08 July
Taking my lunchtime to work on my speech, I should probably describe what I have been asked to do. The 'leadership moments' that each of us are required to perform involve speaking at a high profile function during the summer. The evening previous I had been informed that I would be speaking on friday, at the Association of Catholic Businesses Breakfast.
I will joke that I am the token prod on the panel, but if anything that may enhance the value of speaking at this. At first glance I would say I am comfortable with whatever they chose, although again, as I say, it is an odd venue for me to address.
Meeting in the evening with Peter, Aoibhin and Fiona, with Colm overseeing, we discussed on the subjects, and reviewed what we already have. I am quite convinced we have an excellent group. Bring it on!
Wednesday - 09 July
A Day Of Clinton's, Congressional Forum's and Baseball
This may just be the best day of the summer. Working with Defence Correspondent Adam Brookes on the Irani testing of Shehab missiles, and the possible implications this may have on Israel and the U.S., it was a day of juggling several things. I did, however, have to leave early, meeting Gary, and randomly Richard Schwartz and Dave O'Brien, as we had ventured into their building on pure coincidence. I was taken up to the balcony, with an incredible panoramic view of the city.
At 2.30, WIP '08 met in the Senate offices, to meet Senator Hillary Clinton. Organised fantastically by Aoibhin, I'm sure the whole class want to thank you a lot for your efforts.
We had all of 10 minutes with Hillary, with a photo opportunity and the briefest of brief comments from her, but in fairness, we hardly expected 'An audience with...'
As we overcame the jealously of Peter running off to meet big Barack, I did actually see Obama's car head off into the Mall, not that I realised it at the time.
At the Congressional Forum, it was remarkable to see several Congressmen filing in and out, keen to speak with us. I thought that Patrick Kennedy was a great speaker, while being able to bring along figures such as Donald Payne, Peter King, Jim Walsh, Caorlyn McCarthy, Joseph Crowley, Patrick Murphy, and others, was quite an achievement. It truly shows the Irish-American connection in U.S. politics, and furthermore that these people are not untouchable, and are willing to take the time to help. Our speakers, Lauren, Catherine, Luke, Fiona, and Laura, were superb, and again, very fair in their comments, and fluid in their delivery. It makes Friday a hard task to overcome... ie - follow that!
After the Murphys pub quiz winnings, the Nationals tickets against the Arizona Diamond Backs were ready to use. We missed the first few innings, however, we seen the Nat's win their first game in six, and one of their only ones of the season. The atmosphere was shockingly poor, almost non-existent; but as a spectacle, seeing fireworks jet off for a home run, and t-shirts fired into the crowd, it was a great night out, and some of the best seats in the ground.
