Front Row Seats at 1600 Pennsylvania: Priceless

Yesterday was definitely an interesting day. We started out on a walking tour of some areas around the White House--saw a bunch of statues. One of the coolest views of the city is from the observation deck of the Old Post Office. The brave students that decided to take the journey, albeit in an elevator, to the top were rewarded with a 360 angle of breathtaking visuals. Washington, D.C. is most certainly a city that makes one feel very, very small. In the midst of grand history, affluent culture and huge buildings, more than once I've heard the students say just how humbled they are to be experiencing in real-time the concepts and theories that most have only really read about in books or seen on TV.

Probably the highlight of yesterday was the opportunity to sit in on the daily press briefing at the White House. Of course, the journalist in me wanted to be throwing questions at Dana Perino about the latest goings-on in the Bush White House. I instead refrained and sat in awe. I had the opportunity to sit down with a couple of students at yesterday's conclusion. I still need to do a quick edit on the audio, but I will plan to post the audio reports by tomorrow. Also, I took pictures at the press briefing, etc. that are on a camera that seems to have misplaced itself. So, until (I'm being optimistic) I find the camera ... those pictures will have to wait.

We continued our busy day with a visit to The American Interest, a political magazine that publishes six times a year. We sat down with Editor Adam Garfinkel and discussed a variety of topics: the 2008 presidential race, the war in Iraq and the hyper irrelevancy of the mainstream media. The discourse was intense as the long time journalist and former speechwriter for the Secretary of State navigated the depths of his mind and experiences.

Last night, we took a stroll down to Washington Harbor and Georgetown. Really happening places with shopping and restaurants galore.

Feet are blistered, shoulders are burned and minds are being expanded.


Lizeth Chacon records the view looking towards the U.S. Capital building


View from the Old Post Office observation deck.


The Old Post Office


Fountain in Washington Harbor