The building is fairly spectacular inside and out, but the tour was slightly less inspiring. After a movie (where we learnt that the British burnt down the original in 1814 - sorry about that) we were walked around several of the halls and chambers, accompanied by headphones and a guide who interjected such fascinating facts as "these are the drapes. They're obviously not original".
It was a shame as he obviously knew his stuff, including who was featured on every single statue, but the place was packed with holiday weekend tourists - we don't include ourselves, obviously - so moving around resembled a rugby match. The tour ended, and we were told that the building closed in nine minutes. So much for access to democracy.
With the sun setting and the kids at home with their nanny we enjoyed an adult meal at a superb Indian restaurant, where chicken tikka masala was listed as "the national dish of England!" Our gifts to the USA do not stop at their model for government.
Big, impressive.
Two people who certainly don't need any more emancipation.
Lady Freedom, a copy of the statue that sits on top of the dome.
Ready to tour.
Down in the crypt.
The face looks familiar.
Looking up inside the dome, at "The Apotheosis of Washington". Heaven's evidently full of Americans.
Me and Ronnie Reagan. Every state gets to send two statues and he's one of California's.
Under the dome.
Finally a slice of Britain - the Magna Carta. Not the original.
Those unoriginal drapes.
In the gift shop.
The sun sets on the US government.
Back to civilisation!
