Somebody Got Serious about Food at the Smithsonian

At 11:05 I was sitting in front of the National Museum of the American Indian listening to water fall from one of the outside fountains and listening to amplifiers from the West lawn of the Capitol. The President will be bestowing a special honor on the Dali Lama this afternoon. Ironic that THE President most unable to understand the concepts promoted by the Dali Lama is presenting the award.

We split up this morning. Mike went to the Holocaust Museum and I went to the American Indian. We'll meet for lunch at the Cascade Cafe.

Before beginning my tour, I decide to have a snack at the restaurant at the museum, which made me say--SOMEONE GOT SERIOUS ABOUT FOOD AT THE SMITHSONIAN. My memory of food in the Smithsonian 15 years ago was of rubber sandwiches and boring snacks. Let me tell you about the cafeteria at the American Indian museum. It's divided into sections based on areas of the country. Northwest Forest and Great Plains, etc. and the food falls into those categories Including Elk Loin stuffed with corn, mushrooms, and blueberries; Buffalo burgers; roasted turkey; salmon; tamales; duck soup and pumpkin cookies. All the food we've eaten at the museums has been great.

The exhibits are beautifully done and describe the world of tribes I have never heard of. The neat thing is that each tribe has curators (local experts) who make sure that the exhibits are accurate.

The afternoon was spent at the Corcoran Art Gallery at the Ansel Adams and the Annie Liebowitz exhibits. Photography is Mike's passion. Dinner in Old Alexandria. Back at the hotel packing for the next leg of the trip.

Goodbye DC.