Oh Buddy.

Oh Buddy. The Fourth of July in D.C. is quite the experience. It's not so much the activities that go on as it is the excitement in the air or the mass amounts of red, white, and blue every which way. It's just the knowledge that not only are we celebrating the birth of a great nation, but we are doing so in that nation's capitol. And it's not just any nation. It's the United States of America. I've been able to piece together all the things I know about American history while I've been here. It's easier to remember each of their stories when you see their monument or their desk in the capitol or when you watch a really great HBO series about them all. You get it. Ok, mostly here's some pictures:

This is a parade we stepped into. It was our first encounter with hordes of people on the 4th. 

 This is where we watched fireworks from. We were right under the Washington Monument looking toward the Lincoln. Fireworks were shot off from the reflecting pool which is under construction.

The view towards the other side. Notice the carpet of people. It wasn't too crowded but there were literally people everywhere.

First of many firework pictures. The first ones are the best because there were so many fireworks that the sky mostly was full of smoke towards the end and pictures didn't turn out.

Me and Rachel. Being patriotic. It's fine.

So the fireworks were pretty good but were enhanced significantly by the location. Also, while waiting for the fireworks to begin we listened to this country singer doing her thing. So American I can't even handle it.