More Vacation News

To Aloysious: Yes I was playing the pipes in the wedding.

On Wednesday, I toured the White House in the late morning. It was really neat to enter the building where the President of the United States lives. It was even more special to me because George W. Bush lives there right now. Unfortunately, ever since September 11, 2001, only certain rooms are open for touring. For example, the Lincoln bedroom which used to be part of the tour is no longer open to the public. It was still cool (no pictures inside though).

After leaving the White House with my family, we walked along the fence on the north side of the lawn. While standing there, many police officers started moving all of the pedestrians to the other side of the street. I sort of had an idea that something special was about to happen. After about ten minutes, police officers lined up all along Pennsylvania Ave. from 15th St. to 17th St. After another ten minutes I heard sirens coming from 15th St. Soon we saw about eight motorcycles parading down the street followed by a number of all-black suburbans and followed by the presidential limousine. The limousine was flying a miniature American flag and Iraqi flag. I knew it was carrying the Iraqi prime minister and George Bush because they were coming from a speech the prime minister made at the House of Representatives. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture because we were only allowed to bring in a limited number of personal items into the White House.

That was one of the major highlights from my trip. I'll probably give a full summary of my vacation after I get back next week.