Carousel on the Mall

Carousel on the National Mall

Smithsonian

Jefferson Dr SW at 12th St SW, Washington, D.C.

Brush Stroke in the Air

"Brushstroke"

Sculpture by Roy Lichenstein

Hirshhorn Museum

Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, D.C.

Totem Poles on the Mall

How right and fitting that we have authentic Native American totem poles on our national mall!

Totems at the entrance to the

National Museum of the American Indian

Jefferson Dr SW at 4th St SW, Washington, D.C.

Closer view of the totems

C3PO and R2D2 Take a Stroll

C3PO, R2D2 and  entourage

On the Mall, Washington, D.C.

Posing for fans by the National Museum of the American Indian

Jefferson Dr SW at 4th St SW

Wedding Party at the National Portrait Gallery

Wedding party posing for photos and making memories - on the steps in front of the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

The National Portrait Gallery

7th St NW at I St NW, Washington, D.C.

With a random tourist and a homeless man

Tree at the National Portrait Gallery

Beautiful tree at the entrance to the National Portrait Gallery

7th St NW at I St NW, Washington, D.C.

Supersized Tools

An oversize clamp, monster cotter pin, huge sanding plane and a giant nut... where would you expect to find these things?

Monumental tool and hardware sculpture

5th St NW at H St NW, Washington, D.C.

Why, the National Building Museum, of course!

Western facade of the National Building Museum

Sidewalk Sketch

On our way through Chinatown, while crossing the street at a light, we came upon this simple sketch made when the sidewalk cement was wet. It's a dragon (or Godzilla) holding an ice cream cone!

Sidewalk graffiti

H St NW, Washington, D.C.

An unexpected treat right under out feet!

Shoes included to show scale

Chinatown in Washington, D.C.

Last November my aunt, Emily, invited me to join her and my uncle, Alex, and cousin, Emmy, in Washington, D.C. I had the most wonderful time!

Part of the fun was exploring the city. On our first day we took a stroll through historic Chinatown.

I'd like to share a few photos of the visual delights we encountered...

The Friendship Arch

H St NW at 7th St NW, Washington, D.C.

Closer view of the gate

According to Wikipedia, the Chinatown gate, named "the Friendship Arch," was designed by Alfred H. Liu, originally from Taiwan. The gate was erected to celebrate friendship between Washington and Beiijing and was dedicated in 1986. It includes 7 roofs up to 60 feet high, 7000 tiles, and 272 painted dragons in the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It may be the largest such single-span archway in the world.

There are many charming and unexpected Chinese accents hidden in plain sight throughout the neighborhood.

Low relief panel of 2 dragons holding an orb above what seems to be 

2 modern nozzles... along with a random plastic grocery bag...

A red gate with a jubilantly sinuous design partially blocks the view of an alley

One particularly delightful treat was watching a chef create noodles - right in the front window of the Chinatown Express restaurant! 

Front window of the Chinatown Express restaurant

 6th St NW at H St NW

Noodle samples and the noodle chef

The noodle chef works his magic for passersby

Emmy, Aunt Emily and Uncle Alex prepare to test the noodles

The noodles were delicious! Actually... everything we ordered was superb!

Lunch with loved ones - "priceless!"