Лекция: Washington, D. C.

«If I had finished my work earlier today», Richard kept saying, «We could have gone sightseeing together». But he had a very busy schedule. I, on the other hand, didn't have much to do in the local branch of the company, so I had a lot of free time. As usual I wanted first to take a regular guided tour of the capital. On Richard's advice I chose the Tour mobile shuttle bus. You pay once, get off anywhere you want and reboard for free. Your ticket is good all day. The tours are narrated. The bus makes scheduled stops at ail points of interest on the National Mall and in Arlington National Cemetery.

The Mall is a broad lawn two miles long. It stretches from the foot of the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. It goes past the Smithsonian Institution museums and behind the White House.

In the center of the Mall you can see the Washington Monument, a marble granite obelisk dedicated to the first U. S. president.