Day 4 - Open Itinerary

On the final day of our stay students were given the opportunity to self-select where to go and what to see. Many chose to go back to the mall to view additional war memorials while others visited another Smithsonian or two. Professors Milakovic and Winter chose to investigate possible locations for future D.C. trips including the Washington National Cathedral and Old Town Alexandria.

The National cathedral, beautiful in its design but bizarre in its content. Was it designed in reverence to God or to our military?

Unknown Civil War soldier at the Alexandria National Cemetery.

Day 3 - Holocaust Memorial Museum and Smithsonians

After the National Mall, students transitioned to museum visits including the Holocaust Memorial and a Smithsonian(s) of their choosing.

Outside of the Holocaust Memorial Museum.

President Lincoln's top hat at the National Museum of American History.

Day 3 - The National Mall

Today started off with the mall in the morning. Students chose which memorials/monuments to explore. Many chose to revisit the places seen the night before. The weather was great and the mall was abustle with Cherry Blossom Festival activities including the parade and a group yoga session (don't see that everyday); all under the watchful eye of the Washington Monument.

The National Mall truly is a public space. It's common to see people running, playing soccer or flying kites. Now yoga...that was a surprise. In the foreground is Lexie, a student from class, taking part in some "downward dog."

The Korean War Memorial is a favorite of many visitors. It is designed to make the viewer feel a part of the group of soldiers.

The White House is often tough to get close to, but every once and awhile you get lucky enough to snap a good photo.

The reflecting pool is finally back in business!

A gift from Japan, the 3000 + cherry trees are almost as celebrated as the national monuments.

While visiting the WWII memorial, a group of students had a discussion with this father/son pair of veterans, one from WWII and the other from Vietnam.

Day 2 - DC at night

We ended the day with a bus tour of the monuments at night. It was a great opportunity to see things in such a sharp contrast to how they are during the day. Most students agreed that the monuments were more majestic and impressive all lit up.

Marine Corp War Memorial modeled after the iconic Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima photo by Joe Rosenthal in 1945.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

President Lincoln on a grand scale.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial located on the tidal basin.

FDR listening to the radio in solitude.

Day 2 - Capitol Hill

An end to the rain meant we could venture on to the eastern anchor of the mall, the Capitol Building. It was crowded, but our tour guide did a great job leading us through the building's rich history and points of interest, including the recently unveiled sculpture of Rosa Parks.

Such a great group!

Top of the dome in the Capitol representing the heavens opening to greet George Washington.

Signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Rosa Parks.

Day 2 - The Newseum

We awoke to thunder and rain. Not a great way to start the day, but the Newseum more than made up for the gloomy weather. The mission of this interactive museum is "to help the public and the news media understand one another better" and to "raise public awareness of the important role of a free press in a democratic society." One of the many highlights was the dramatic exhibit of Pulitzer Prize winning photos, many of which we had rhetorically analyzed during class.

Wall of deceased photo journalists. Unfortunately there is plenty room to add more.

9/11 exhibit featuring mangled radio tower from the top of one of the buildings.

Day 1 - Group Dinner

We ended the night with a superb meal at Founding Farmers (clever name huh?). Farmers is a locally sourced, organic, farm-fresh inspired restaurant located just blocks from the White House.

Enjoying some quality food and conversation. A great opportunity to get to know each other better.

Mohammed ensured there were no left-overs.