The Middle of the Mall

Several Fridays I decided to visit a few of the monuments on the National Mall that I hadn't visited yet. Most of them were clustered around the middle by the Washington Monument. The Washington Monument is still close because of an earthquake in 2011. But it is still quite the sight to walk around the base and enjoy the view. I also visited the World War II memorial and I was amazed at how well it was done. It forms a giant curving horseshoe and one side it remembers the Atlantic and on the other side the Pacific. In the middle is an area with gold stars to remember the soldiers who were killed. It was very impressive and moving.

They haven't turned the water on yet

On the way home I stopped by the Organization of American States headquarters. The Organization of American States functions as a miniature U.N. but only for the American hemisphere. I entered and was told that there was only one more tour that day, but that it was in Spanish. So I tagged along and only really understand 40%, but I still enjoyed seeing the building.

While walking home from the OAS there are statues along Virginia Ave. showing important figures in the independence and democratic movements in Latin America. Some of my favorites were Simon Bolivar (El Libertador, responsible for the independence of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Panama and Peru), and San Martin (responsibile for the independence of Argentina, Chile and aiding Simon Bolivar in Peru) and Benito Juarez of Mexico.