the capitol building in almost all its length looks like three adjacent greek temples. apart from the white house, the image of the capitol is probably the most popular symbol of u.s. government. no way around when following the tourist trail.
it's quite easy to organize a tour, it's in fact just a click away. clicked and done i ventured out one rainy day to join the queue in front of the new visitor center, which i had already seen from inside thanks to the tunnel to the library of congress.
after about seven minutes underneath the dripping overcast sky, the security screening began. you know, the airport kind of screening with a bag going into a black box and you through a gray plastic gate.
then i had to join another rather short queue to obtain a paper ticket and a sticky tag to visibly barcode me.
screened and barcodable i was advised to join a third queue to be properly indoctrinated via about thirteen minutes of film. after about five minutes of the usual propaganda of freedom, patriotism, and greatness, the movie did offer some insight into the history of the capitol: build, burned down, rebuilt, wooden dome, proper dome. (yes, the movie mentioned that slaves constructed parts of congress). the current dome is topped by the statue of liberty of which a full-sized touchable model (below) stands in the so-called emancipation hall of the visitor area.
the often repeated motto of the movie was "e pluribus unum -- out of many one", interesting given the mostly segregated neighborhoods in the city. nevertheless, speeding through u.s. history in form of fading in and out white lines with dates and events, we soon could join another queue to lemming through the building.
the most impressive stop is the huge rotunda with the picture of washington's apotheosis [Vergöttlichung] crowning the center -- so much for separation of church and state. the stair leading up to the dome is only accessible, our tour guide said, when you know a represenative on a first name bases.
better look at the the walls, which are lined with pictures, statues, frescos, and streams of tourists.
on the rather short tour of about 25 minutes, the visitor does not get to see the current senate and house chambers, but the historic versions (for the senate above and the house below)
for visiting the actual house and senate rooms, when in session or not, you need to join another queue, which for u.s. citizens starts with their representatives and for internationals with a wooden desk in the visitor center. maybe i try that next queue next.
visit the other branches with me:
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