Day 4:After recovering from the bike tour, the next big thing on the agenda was a capitol tour. For almost a month, Micah had emailed and called Michael Bennet's office (one of the colorado state senators) in an effort to secure a tour from one of his staff. Having been for the most part unsuccessful, I didn't really think we'd be able to go. I would just have to rely on my 5th grade experience of the capitol, which is shaky to say the least. However, luck would have it that on day number 3, someone called and set up a time for us to come in the very next day.
So we were off to the capitol, that is after relocating our luggage from the guesthouse to the hotel where all the wedding festivities would soon commence. Security wasn't that bad, and once inside we soon met up with tour guide Matt. Matt worked as an intern and is now employed as a legislative correspondent (or something like that). He explained that his job entails a lot of opening all the public's mail addressed to the senator, which include intelligent Americans screaming through paper that he is the spawn of satan and is singlehandedly tearing down our nation. Like I said, intelligent people. I'd say that's a pretty depressing job. Anyway, you could tell that Matt had conducted the tour before as he was quite informative and kept a good pace.
We saw a replica of Lady Justice, who resides on the top of the capitol building. The replica ushers people into the visitor's center, which is a fairly new addition and houses a few of the state statues (each state gets to place 2 statues in designated areas throughout the capitol).
The first stop was inside the dome of the capitol, which as impressive as it might be from the outside, is even moreso from inside. I can't imagine the time and energy that went into creating it, and the sore necks that perspired as a result.
It is beautiful.
Again, can you imagine the sore necks?
I forget the significance of this chandelier, but I think it has something to do with there being a lot of stories revolving who first brought it there.
Tour guide Matt did mention that it takes about 2 or 3 weeks to clean. Can you imagine having to clean that thing?
The Old Senate Room
Yeah Nancy!
The Old House of Representatives Room
This is supposedly where Abraham Lincoln's desk sat.
The Crypt:
where they were going to re-bury George Washington,
but his family fought to have him stay at Mt. Vernon.
The Center of the Capitol
(where the four quadrants of D.C. begin)
The Old Supreme Court Room
Hallway and one-fourth of Tour guide Matt.
I spotted the Washington Monument from inside the Capitol.
And then we got to go on the special tour due to Micah's status as a Bennet volunteer. It really only consisted of seeing a few extra rooms and a cool hallway. Tour guide Matt mentioned that we might see a Senator, but we had no such luck.
The story goes that lobbyists used to hide behind this stairwell and wait for Senators to come down so that they could talk to them. Isn't that crazy? I guess that was a time when politicians were not all too eager to meet lobbyists' demands.
Last but not least, The Senate Appropriations Committee Room
After the official tour, we were given tickets to see the current Senate and House meeting rooms. First stop-the Senate, which was actually in session, so we got to see a few Senators speak (including John McCain-who was the only one I really recognized). He talked about his opposition to Earmarks, no shocker there! (: Second stop-the House, which was not in session, but impressive to see nonetheless. Oh, the history that happens in those two rooms. The women and men that in those very rooms fight for those that elected them. And, the decisions that are made that we adamantly oppose or victoriously cheer on. It was probably my favorite part of the capitol tour.
And, switching gears, as the tour found an end, we found a new plan. There were wedding favors to be made. Kristen, Hsiong, Micah, my Mom, and I powered through putting together the boxes and then Micah and I started in mixing the
vegan chocolate truffles. They were really easy, but may I suggest that you follow the directions carefully for your food processor, because we burned through my sister's and had to go out and buy another (which we almost killed as well)!
Do you see that Smoothie King cup? Why, oh, why do I not get those more often...so good!
The diligent team (minus Micah who was taking the picture).
The finished boxes. Aren't they cute?
For some reason, I did not take any pictures of the actual truffles, but they were really good. And by around 12:30 a.m. the favors were all finished!
p.s. No, I still haven't gotten a cord to get the rest of the pictures off the camera, so this may be it until I can figure that out.
