Friday, August 5, 2011

More Sightseeing

Facts about Arlington Cemetery:
  •  Averages twenty-eight funerals everday
  • More than 300,000 people are buried here
  • Veterans from all the nations wars (from the American Revolution onwards) are buried here





 "When we assumed the soldier we did not lay aside the citizen." -George Washington

Arlington Cemetery is huge.  Like massively, properly, beyond impressively huge. Ever inch of which, it seems, has a headstone paying homage to a fallen soldier. The sheer number of fallen Americans is shocking; and to think, this does not even begin to cover all of the lost military men and women (let alone the injured).







 I did not expect to see tombstones for soldier's wives and children, it was amazing how many babies were buried besides their parents. Many did not even long enough to be named, their tombstones simply read 'Infant.'


 The Kennedys




I didn't quite get this dollar sign on this head stone, does it mean something I don't understand or is this from Monopoly?




 Amphitheater in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
 German tourists going up the stairs, seemed like a Kodak (but actually Nikon) moment at the time.


 I twisted my ankle on these darn steps. My life flashed before my eyes. I thought I was going to kick it at Arlington Cemetery. That would be ironic, do you think they would let me buried there under these circumstances?


 No idea why but there were a ton of official looking helicopters out today. Man, they are noisy!


 I've witnessed changing of the guards in several different countries and I have to say this ceremony is by far the most unique. While other guards (ahem Buckingham Palace) make it a point to ignore people, these soldiers spoke to the gathering audience when it was time to assemble, requesting everyone to stand in order to give the moment the honor it deserved.
 They did a lot of heel clicking a la Dorthy in the Wizard of Oz.



 See where the sidewalk has turned bronze? It's worn down from the constant walking and foot clacking (Sure there is probably a better word that foot clacking, but sounds fun to me).
 Tomfoolery with firearms.






 Bench dedicated to veterans of the Korean War



 On some level I felt that all of the soldiers buried here are unknown soldiers. Sure there is a name on their tombstone, but who really leaves knowing anything about them, what they and their family sacrificed for the country? Each tombstone represents a person who was loved, somebody with a family-how did they feel when they enlisted, proud? Sad? Hopeful?
 I would have liked to see some sort of directory which could offer biographies on some some of the soldiers buried here, anything which would give a glimpse into the soldier beyond their name engraved small and simply on a marble headstone.
For a few minutes I thought I was going to have to live my life out in Arlington Cemetery, it's just so big! So needless to say I was relived to see this sign.




Food for thought:
 

 After walking back from Arlington Cemetery I ended by the Smithsonian Metro (not to shabby eh?)
 There was a little farmers market sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture going down by the Smithsonian.

This kettle-corn smelt amazing! This stand had the longest line, and a sign that said you were out of luck if you couldn't make it before 1:00 because they will be out by then.

How great is her dress?!



 Waahhh, what an unlucky popsicle :( Honesty Circle: I was so hot, sweaty and thirsty by time I walked past this popsicle I briefly fantasized about getting down on all fours and licking the cherry-flavored puddle. I resisted, it was hard.


 Some lovin' by the Washington Monument. Side note- I witnessed a group of people planking by the monument, I really just don't get it. Why would you want to put your face where a thousand-million people have walked before you? Also, you look like an idiot.
 This guy had an iron-man shirt on and the strongest calves I've ever seen. This man could seriously arm wrestle Fabio with those calves and come out on top. I tip my hat to him.
Just so you don't forgot those face behind the text- What I wore today.

 Now if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a mushroom burger from Shake Shack. Their cheese-fries have just revolutionized my life.

53 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post!

    I love the fact that you photographed a tomb stone with stones set on top! When I go to Scotland, I lay stones on the tombstone of my family when I visit them. It's a way of honouring them.

    and great outfit!!
    xx
    callie

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  2. What a gorgeus post! The pics of tombstones are my favorite =)

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  3. What a beautiful post.. So sad to see all these graves of people that have died though.. I can picture that it was very emotional seeing all of this :(

    lots of love
    simplycamylla.blogspot.com

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  4. very haunting pictures. i adore the bow in your hair, btw (:

    http://hiimsaratee.blogspot.com/

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  5. love the bow in your hair and cute top!
    definately gonna look out for tops like that for summer (I live across the globe so our summer is just arriving:-) )x

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  6. your blog is so neat and FUN

    love it!!!

    http://street-chic-blahhhhh.blogspot.com/

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  7. great pictures!! love your outfit!!

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  8. I visit Arlington every time I am in DC. I have a great uncle who rests there. It truly is impressive in size!

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  9. The cemetery sure looks massive. Somehow really serene and quiet, peaceful too.
    I suppose it's a great place to create some amazing photoshoots as well hehe

    xx
    Erika
    http://www.erika-t.blogspot.com

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  10. Gret pictures ;)
    http://juliaragoneses.blogspot.com/

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  11. Great pictures and outfit! I love D.C., we went there for a school trip once and it was really cool. Arlington Cemetary is definitely a huge place, I'm kind of surprised we didn't get lost.

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  12. Thank you so much for your sweet comments! xx www.casualglamorous.com

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  13. it's such an interesting place to visit! i will definitely add this to my list. and that is sooo true: freedom is not free. huh, i never thought of it that way.

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/

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  14. These photos are so pretty! What a cool place to visit. And your outfit is a perfect casual one for the summer. I love the collar on your top.

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  15. I'm re-living the DC Metro area through your photos! My parents lived there for years while I was away in college & grad school. So I spent many holidays going everywhere in DC, MD, and VA! Of course, I loved the museums.

    Thanks for your comment on my blog :-)

    http://thefoolishaesthete.blogspot.com

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  16. more great pictures! love it :)
    come visit my blog too please!
    http://hammocksandtrampolines.blogspot.com

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  17. The most striking thing about Arlington is the location: as if all the deads could feel the surrounding nature. That's why I really liked it.
    It's an amazing place
    xx
    http://dontcallmefashionblogger.blogspot.com/

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  18. nice post! :)

    http://freakyfriday-sabrina.blogspot.com

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  19. lovely pictures :)

    http://sarassweetstyle.blogspot.com/

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  20. thank u:)you see the whole world, don't you?:D

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  21. This was a really interesting post. I find cemeteries so fascinating. It looks massive!

    x

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  22. Lovely pics!
    And you look amazing!

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  23. Oh my, that looks huge! I would be so creeped out if I went there, I am terrible with things like this! But your right, the number of fallen soldiers is horrendous! Also, I love your outfit, the top is so cute! Well done for resisting to lick the ice lolly on the floor ;).
    xoxo

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  24. Beautiful pictures ! Good post :)

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  25. i'll have to see this for myself. thanks for sharing.

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  26. answer:thank you so much for you comment!!!!;D

    http://paolinasspace.blogspot.com

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  27. I've seen tombs like that recent in French.. they're so impressive..

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  28. great photos :)

    xo Camilla

    www.intothefoldfashion.com

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  29. These pictures are great! And I think it is great that you photographed a subject like this!

    Love, afterFANTASIES.blogspot.com

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  30. Really lovely post - I never made it here when I was in DC and I really regret that.

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.com

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  31. It's so huge! I'd definitely want to visit it someday. :)

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  32. very interesting, love ur cute outfit!

    xx
    http://www.trend-ish.com

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  33. This is such a beautiful post.

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  34. Wow how interesting. I didn't realise how huge the cemetary was, it is sad some tombstones are unmarked or just say 'infant'. I didn't realise women and children were buried there!

    Sarah
    X
    www.almostdelightful.com

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  35. Great photos! Your top is cute. Thanks for stopping by my blog:)

    Fashion Cat
    www.firstlookbook.blogspot.com

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  36. wow, I never thought about visiting a cemetery unless I want to visit my grandpa..I love the pictures, its interesting :)

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  37. thanks dear for your comment ;) love this post!

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  38. My uncle is buried in Arlington Cemetery near JFK, and I have always wanted to visit. It's one of those places you have to visit at least once in your lifetime.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  39. wow this is really interesting. I am your newest follower! Come visit my blog? :)

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  40. So beautiful and sad at the same time.
    I really want to visit, its an important reminder of the past.

    My Blog♥
    My YouTube♥

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  41. Really cool pics :)

    xx
    Rosa

    My Stylish Little Secret
    http://mystylishlittlesecret.blogspot.com

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  42. Great photos, i love your outfit your very pretty! Thankyou for my comment and follow xx

    http://www.gingerrsnap.blogspot.com/

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  43. All these photographs are GORGEOUS. So lovely.

    x The Pretty Secrets

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  44. pretty amazing, gives off a feeling of peace. xoxo

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  45. What an amazing place. I think you can't help but feel honored to be around something like that because these people have paid their lives to protect the country. xoxoxoo

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  46. grave yards make for great pictures, don't they?!
    thanks for your sweet comments on artsy ants blog!

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  47. thank you so much for the support lovely :)

    love your photos, they come out so nice!

    jessie x

    the weekend project.

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  48. My grandpa is buried there! I loved visiting Arlington when I lived in DC. It's so peaceful!

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  49. I didn´t have time to visit Arlington Cemetery during my last trip to NY and D.C., so I appreciate this post! Good job!!

    http://somestylestories.blogspot.com

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Thanks so much for commenting, I can't wait to see what you have to share! I hope you will considering following my blog, I'd love to see you again ;)