truly, the past four days was a much needed take-off. And, there was never a hitch. DC's super-reliable metro system helped so much (i never had to wait for the train longer than 5 minutes!). if you've got time, I would like to tell you the highlights of the trip =p. let's start with a lighter one:
the international spy museum. it was somehow predictable given that we are now in the 21st century, but it was still fun. the gadgets and most of the stuff on display were from the 1930s 'til about the end of the cold war.
there is a section devoted to how the russians got hold of the documents on the atom bomb a month after experiments on its development started. I saw einstein from a totally different light when I learned that he wrote the US president then about the possibilities of nuclear fission. there were multi-media computers that tested the guests' skill in detecting spies in disguise. they even showed us how to pick locks (hehehehe) and some tricks for believable disguises...
I came out wondering if I could be a really good spy. one question that was asked as soon as we got in the museum nagged at me after the tour: what would be a spy's motive --- patriotism? ego? the money?... a very good spy is supposed to be loyal, not to any country, but to the skills of the trade (so the existence of double agents). hmmm.... hmmmm some more.....
now, the holocaust memorial museum. I went to listen to "daniel's story." daniel is a character that was created to relate the experiences of the jews from the point of an 8-year old. his story was told in english and in very simple words, but this could not detract from the horror of it all. I nearly cried right there. I realized that schindler's list was really good (it has a special corner in the museum, a non-permanent exhibit), but it still left so much to be told and heard. there was a section there called Wexner Learning Center that has several computers for multi-media browsing on anti-semitism, the third reich, detention & extermination camps, the gas chambers.... there were interviews with those who survived whose stories are nonetheless horrifying.
one interviewee said that the people in the gas chambers were asked to raise their arms because this would make room for more people. the children were last to go, clambering on top of the adults, then hitler's men would close the door and gas them all. at the end of the tour, by the museum exit, color pens and postcard-sized paper were available for anyone who wished to say anything to "daniel." there was a mailbox for the cards. I wanted to share my thoughts, wanted to say something, and I came up with something really lame. because I know that anything that i'd say would never ever be enough.
There was one BIG wish in my head as I left: I wish it didn't happen. but it did. and we should never forget.
there's so much to tell about my four days in DC. but the above two made an impact. do e-mail me some news from there =p
18aug02,canandaigua
