The Buttered Topping: The American Acropolis

Monday, October 3, 2011

The American Acropolis

Washington D.C. is a rich and beautiful capital city like no other. Not only is it a city of vistas, a marriage of geometry and art but unlike other large cities, it isn't dominated by skyscrapers but by memorials and monuments that leave an impression of great history, sacrifice and wonder. Most people do not know but Washington D.C. is the world's first planned capital city as well as one of the most beautiful capitals I have ever seen. Walking through it you notice marble laden structures dripping with decorative accents and incredible detail that evoke the power and genius that this country has to offer. Many of the famous monuments in D.C. are clean white masonry with such a strong neoclassical design that you can imagine yourself walking through the ancient temples of Greece as they once stood in their prime thousands of years ago. For the average tourist the center of it all is the National Mall between the Capital, Washington Monument, White House, and Lincoln Memorial which lie on a 2 mile stretch in the center of the city famous throughout the world as icons of the world's wealthiest and most powerful nation. Many museums are free and open to the public like the world renowned Smithsonian museums located along the National Mall. The people of the city are diverse in many respects, especially the large African-American majority, which is the reason the city is also called the Chocolate City. A sizable and affluent Gay community can be found mainly in Dupont Circle and the Logan Square areas where many of the bars, restaurants, clubs and shops are located. In general the citizens are young and transient and their energy is palpable in this city which has much to offer any tourist who enjoys a good long walk and amazing displays of history and culture.