Washington, DC (USA)

I got a VIP tour of the Capitol today! My guide was a distinguished staff intern from James Madison University.  At 1445, I met Erin at Senator Maggie Hassan’s office in the Hart Senate Office Building and she introduced me to her colleagues, who had high praise for her work this year. We then took a little subway over to the Capitol Building itself. Erin took me to several places with amazing views and I got to see many behind-the-scenes features in the area of both House and Senate Chambers. The public tour areas weren’t too crowded and we sometimes went beyond the typical boundaries, wandering freely through a maze of offices, committee rooms and the old Supreme Court chambers. Erin knew some of the staff members and pointed out several Senators she’d become familiar with(including Senator Hassan herself, who we saw during one of our train rides) during her Washington Semester. Near the end of the visit, we sat in the Gallery while the Senate voted to confirm a judge. Erin had actually helped Sen. Hassan prepare for this vote - her participation in that kind of process impressed me! She had to go back to work so I said goodbye to her near her office after about an hour and a half. I’d toured this building a few times before but it was a canned tour - for obvious reasons, I’ll never forget this visit!  I walked from the Capitol back to L'Enfant plaza and ended up running into Joe and Stephanie (they were headed to the Capitol Christmas Tree lighting).  Since it was raining and I didn't have an umbrella, I didn't stay with them.  Instead, I took the Metro to Pentagon City and had solo happy hour at Chevys.  I left for home at around 1900 and was in my apartment about 45 minutes later.  What a special day!