Today we went on a mini sight seeing tour to Washington DC (It's funny how you have to add the DC on over here. In the Uk most people, I guess in their ignorance, would assume you meant the country's capital when you say Washington but here most people know that there is also a state called Washington and so you have to differentiate) with Johno, Kevin, Devin and Igor. 

It was a fun trip: many monuments, a visit round the national war cemetery with the grave to the unknown soldier, a brief driving tour, a quick trip round the Natural History Museum (the most crowded experience I have ever had but also free which is a fab idea) and then dinner at an incredible tapas restaurant.

Tom took some good pictures of all of the Obama merchandise that is being produced ready for the Presidents' inauguration on 22 January. Quite amusing. 

I imagine you could spend a very, very long time getting to know the city and still have missed a lot. I enjoyed today though and hope to go back to do something else soon.

A few more things to add to the list:

- an ice-skating rink in the middle of the city - very film-like

- seeing the White House and all of the other v. important buildings you've only ever seen in films

- Christmas Tree bases that you can put water in to stop the needles falling off the tree

- cinemas being open on xmas day for the premieres of new films (you go as a xmas day afternoon activity)