Our April au pair meeting was a tour in The United States Capitol Building. The capitol building that serves as the seat of government for the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. It is located in Washington, D.C., on top of Capitol Hill at the east end of the National Mall. And who was the tour leader? - Michael Weight! - Yes, yes my host dad!
The building is marked by its central dome above a rotunda and two wings, one for each 
chamber of Congress: the north wing is the Senate chamber and the south wing is the House of Representatives chamber. Above these chambers are galleries where visitors can watch the Senate and House of Representatives. It is an example of the Neoclassical architecture style. The statue on top of the dome is the Statue of Freedom.
We went to see the fresco painted on the interior of the Capitol's dome and it totally amazed me. Fresco titled 'The Apotheosis of Washington' and was painted by Constantino Brumidi.
Under the Rotunda there is an area known as the Crypt. It was designed to look down on the final resting place
of George Washington in the tomb below. However, under the stipulations of his last will, Washington was buried at Mount Vernon, and as such the area remains open to visitors. The Crypt now houses exhibits on the history of the Capitol. A star inlaid in the floor marks the point at which Washington D.C. is divided into its four quadrants (picture on your left); however, the exact center of the city lies near the White House.
The Capitol also houses the National Statuary Hall Collection, comprised of two statues donated by each of the fifty states to honor persons notable in their histories. One of the most notable statues in the National Statuary Hall is a bronze statue of King Kamehameha (on the right you see me and the statue) donated by the state of Hawaii upon its accession to the union in 1959. The statue's extraordinary weight of 15,000 pounds raised concerns that it might come crashing through the floor, so it was moved to a position in the Hall which could withstand the weight load.
of George Washington in the tomb below. However, under the stipulations of his last will, Washington was buried at Mount Vernon, and as such the area remains open to visitors. The Crypt now houses exhibits on the history of the Capitol. A star inlaid in the floor marks the point at which Washington D.C. is divided into its four quadrants (picture on your left); however, the exact center of the city lies near the White House.
The Capitol also houses the National Statuary Hall Collection, comprised of two statues donated by each of the fifty states to honor persons notable in their histories. One of the most notable statues in the National Statuary Hall is a bronze statue of King Kamehameha (on the right you see me and the statue) donated by the state of Hawaii upon its accession to the union in 1959. The statue's extraordinary weight of 15,000 pounds raised concerns that it might come crashing through the floor, so it was moved to a position in the Hall which could withstand the weight load.
We saw Old Supreme Court Chamber and... other places that I don't even remember. Mike has great knowledge about this place (well he should - he is The Capitol Police Officer) I am sure that I remember less than half of what he told to us. It was so many information in such short time. Of course I always can count on Mike to refresh me them.:D
After tour some of as decided to stay longer in DC and went to Art Gallerry and also eat somethig. We didn't to much time there because we had to come back and prepare ourselves to "A" Party in America's house.
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