Few days of Heaven in Washington

This has been the most special vacation as this is probably the last vacation before we hibernate for the winter. The trip was physically tiring but mentally invigorating. I loved being in the city, though my husband didn't like the noise and the traffic, I on the other hand loved being independent in the city.

We travelled on Sunday and reached Hyatt Regency at Bethesda at 7pm. We had carried dinner, so we went around Bethesda on foot and came back to eat dinner.

I wanted to rest the next day and after a good and heavy breakfast, I went around Bethesda in bus and got to see the town. Bethesda is known for its hi-profile shops and fine dining. I did a lot of window shopping and came back for lunch. We travelled to Washington with my husband's friend and his family. The family had plans to go to the Discovery museum and I went along.

I wasn't sure that I would enjoy it but I liked it. There is a plane which you can sit and move a few parts of.

The discovery space shuttle is amazing too. I knew that it would be big but this was HUGE.

I also saw Amelia Earhart's uniform and other cool stuff that I don't remember. :)

The Bellman at Hyatt, Raul helped me understand the city and the metro. He told me about the one day bus tour and I took it on the second day. I went to Union station and took the bus tour. The bus took me to the memorials

and gave a good commentary about almost everything. I saw the city and went to the NGA. With some help, I saw some works from Pablo Picaso, Da Vinci and other big names that I don't remember sadly :) I also saw some really interesting paintings. I think it was American art that had a part of it almost bright and white and gave a lovely embossed effect to the painting.

I liked the architecture of the city, it reminded me of CST. The tour lasted till evening but took me everywhere. Tired, I reached the hotel at 7pm.

I spent the second day on my own completely but started my day a little late. I went to the National museum of American History and took a one hour tour. The tour showed the highlights of the museum. The star spangled flag banner, the red ruby shoes of Dorothy, Abe's hat, dresses of the first lady and many other interesting things.
One thing that really took me by awe was this dress. The fiancé was saved by the parachute and the mother of the girl sewed the wedding dress out of the parachute.

I wanted to go to the Natural History Museum next and spent a good time there. I liked all the exhibits and enjoyed the butterfly pavilion the most. I also liked looking at the Hope Diamond. I didn't know that it was there. :) I didn't click any pics. I went to the botanical garden after this.

At first, I wasn't sure I made the right choice as it is Fall weather and most of the plants were barren but the Chrysanthemums took my heart.

 

I was super tired but as I went to the conservatory and sat there without my jacket and took in the oxygen. The tropical plants were amazing and sat took my aches away.

I went back early as we had found a group meditation place near our hotel and decided to go there. It was lovely to go there on the day of Diwali.

Thursday was my husband's presentation and I decided to watch and be part of it. After the presentation, we ate some delicious south Indian food and went to the zoo. The best part of the zoo was watching a real deer who came near us as we were waiting for the ride.

Friday was the day to come back. We went to the US capitol and then drove back to home. A lovely and memorable trip.