Shower of “Christmas” lights at the “National Mall”

I am very busy lately, so here is one of the delayed stories that I wanna share.

It was almost Christmas, and that was the first time for me to experience the moment in the capitol of US. I was excited of enjoying the tradition of Christmas celebration along the street in DC, and here the story is. The fun walk was started from the Capital South Metro station, south of Capitol Hill, the easternmost point of interest in the National Mall of DC. Hey, don't forget, this isn't a shopping mall!!

The tree with 5000 handmade ornaments

Yep, in front of the Capitol Hill toward the direction of National Monument stands up a giant coniferous tree named '2012 US Capitol Christmas Tree': a 74 years old, 65 foot Engelman spruce tree comes from Colorado’s Blanco Ranger District of the White River National Forest. Along a journey of 1,700 miles to Washington DC, the tree stopped at 28 communities. And with the spirit of “Celebrating Our Great Outdoors” as a theme, the tree has also been decorated by people from Colorado with 5,000 handmade ornaments.

The Capitol Christmas tree with amazing lights

True, you have to come both during daylight and night time to see the tree with both the unique ornaments and the beautiful lights, cool huh?! But at night, you would be difficult to get closer to the tree, too many people.

OK, let's continue the walk. Move toward the west, crossing the Mall to the National Gallery of Art (my favorite place) then turn to the right about two blocks away to join the Pennsylvania Avenue, you can enjoy the lighted trees along the street, wonderful!! People walked around with the loves one, dressed up nicely and cheered up by the spirit of Christmas and A New Year. Hm the spirit of togetherness made me bit feeling blue as my family is far away across the sea. But, well it's my choice to be here, so no reason to be upset, right?

Look at the shinning Capitol Hill at the back

After a while walked further to west, you will come to the Ellipse, a grassy open space south of the White House. Many people either from other countries or other states were blended in this spot.

Here, you will find another giant coniferous tree named 'The National Christmas Tree'. The tree is surrounded by miniature set of trains and reminded me about tiny wonderful Madurodam of the Netherlands. Wow, believe me, it was difficult to move in this spot, we got trap in a crowd! I was disoriented for a while 'coz the crowd was moving in a circular direction. Yeah, I wondered where are all these people come from? Well, after bit struggle finally I got a snap shot of the National Christmas Tree, look! Hey, I hope you also can see the National Monument in the background.

It is said, that since 1923 has been a tradition in US of lighting a National Christmas tree in Washington DC. As for this, a live 40-foot Colorado blue spruce was transplanted from Pennsylvania in 1978 to this site as the National Christmas Tree. The giant tree is surrounded by planted 56 smaller trees along a circular “Pathway of Peace”, representing all 50 states, 5 territories and the District of Columbia.

The next is the picture of tree representing South Dakota, my state before move to Maryland. Wow, need lots of effort to come closer to this spot, unfortunately my camera couldn't catch the announcement board that illuminated by too bright light. But believe me, it’s written as the tree of South Dakota! Well, I also tried to get a tree of Maryland, but don't even able to get closer, was really a huge moving crowd along this pathway of peace. Better get out before I get squeezed.

People said the official National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is announced by the President and attended by the First Lady. Usually the ceremony cheers with famous artists and military band performance. Too bad I was in San Francisco at that time (first week of December) and missed the event (it was fine though, because it wasn’t a free event).

At last, the day was getting old, and I was tired too, time to go home. Then the fun walk was ended in the Archive Metro Station near the old DC’s post office.

Happy New Year everyone!