W A S H I N G T O N   D . C .   -   D A Y   # 1

Monday, October 25, 2004

Time to tour Union Station. Across the top of the entranceway are three inscription panels.

I notice some nearby, social commentary is in play, "In 30 years, Marion Barry, the cocaine addict black American, has made USA the bloodthirstiest nation on earth. On 911 he burned the Pentagon, the WTC. In 1994 he massacred 800,000 Rwandans in Africa ..." The rest talks about eating human flesh, or something of the like. When I think of Marion Barry, I just think about him getting busted on cocaine. As for the other stuff, well, I think it's kinda nutty. But, that's the beauty of free speech. How appropriate this gentleman is voicing his opinion publicly, just a stone's throw away from The Freedom Bell.

Yikes! Isn't that a Rolls Royce?!? What great timing, such extremes in one place, the homeless sharing space and air with the filthy rich.

I'm looking down one of Union Station's ornate corridors right now. I like how the lights gracefully recede with greater and greater distance.

Inside Union Station I go. I get as far as one of the underground train terminals, where I get busted for taking pictures. Seems it's against the rules, taking pictures of mass transit infrastructure post-911. Annoyed but understanding, I pack away the camera and continue my tour. In the end, I'm very impressed. The breadth and scope of this facility is really quite amazing.