T H E   W H I T E H O U S E

Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Sight: #28

Highlights: Looks big, white, and really fancy from a distance.

Lowlights: Admission is gained only through a request from a Member of Congress, since I didn't make a request prior to my arrival in D.C., no tour for me!

Address: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.

Hours: 7:30am to 12:30pm Tuesday through Saturday (excluding federal holidays)

Phone: 24-hour line at (202) 456-7041

Admission: Free, however you have to request admission through your Congressman.

Access: Wheelchair accessible.

Links: Official Website

Rating:

(5 max)

Upon arrival I encounter a military veteran who's in the heat of protest. From what I gather from his signs, he's upset because the government has taken away his benefits.

There's the White House. This is as close as you can get to it without either going through the proper channels to gain admission (you have to make a request to your Congressman) or jumping the fence, running a few feet, then getting shot in the head. Since I don't have official permission to take the tour, and I don't want a hole in my head, I think I'll just be satisfied with peeking through the iron fence.

The U.S. Capitol Police are on guard to keep the crazies at bay. God, what a boring job this guy has. I wonder, does the President wave at him from time to time, encouraging him to stay at his post?