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A nation's birth day

As remembrances come and go there are people worth celebrating for as well as places. Thusly this July 4th we (father and daughter) decided to embark on a long air trip to the other coast. We visited the nation's capital (and then plan to travel to the financial capital of NY, NY).

We were in the 'District of Columbia' for the July 4 independence day celebrations. It has been a while since this desi (a colloquialism attributed to an expat from the Indian subcontinent) has witnessed the sea of humanity but the arrival on the national mall brought a true sense of 'deja vu' pretty quick.

Scores of people moving in every direction representing a global face in terms of ethnicity surrounded us as we emerged from the subterranean rail system. That there are these underground transit options to move people from one corner of the metro area to another is a very slick undertaking.

Once bathed in humidity and 90 plus degree heat we quickly oriented ourselves with the help of local Police to find a Smithsonian funded gallery that housed a variety of airworthy objects. This was the 'Air and Space Museum'. After letting the young offspring gather relevant facts about man's first flight and getting acquainted with some cockpits we discharged back on to the streets and checked out the 'natural history museum'. As we wrapped up the eye popping visit that included views of the infamous 'Hope Diamond' we decided to join the celebration underway on Connecticut ave. Not sure why the C in the middle of this name is silent but thanks to spell check I did not misspell this.

There was a whole parade

going down this main drag which included floats and bands; Clydesdales and unicycles. Also a display of some misc talents and hot air balloons in various shapes.

After watching this for a while we decided to find some cooler air and ended up strolling through the national gallery of art, with its impressionist and modernist oils - my daughter probably appreciated it more than me but then again I was there for the AC.

Finally we decided to catch some sights that represented the many wars America has been part of and the memorials of former presidential greats. Ended the walk at the feet of Lincoln. Decided to chill there for the next six hours and catch the finale - the firework show.

Despite the oppressive humidity and threat of rain we lucked out and ended up watching the biggest display of legal fireworks over the national mall with the Washington Monument as a backdrop.

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