The second location of our trip was Washington DC, the capital of the United States. Contrary to my expectations that the trip will gradually become less and less European and more American, Washington turned out to be more European than Boston ... or at least it was more to my liking. Well, it is more obvious that the city layout has been planned from the start, but it's streets and avenues are much wider and there is less people on the streets (with exception to famous sights and museum entrances).

Regarding accommodation we have stayed in HI Washington hostel. It was a bit more expensive that the Boston one, but also in many aspects worth of this extra few dollars. Wireless was better, breakfast more diverse, location really close to all the major sights ... the only thing that I have somehow missed is the complete privacy of restrooms and showers, that had been arranged better in Boston.

As for sights ... they are numerous and well clustered, the major one can all be visited in a one day's stroll ... which in our case happened under the scorching August sun. But the hostel volunteer guide was really amazing. Even the midday heat was somehow bearable with his anecdotes. Then there are museums ... the major ones are called the Smithsonians and are free. And huge. One can easily spend whole day in just one of them. They even have restaurants/food courts in them. I really recommend a visit, even though they all have annoying bag checks at the entrance.

Another new and exciting American habit that I have discovered in Washington is "soda fountain" way of ordering beverages in fast-food restaurants. It allows you to refill the cup that you get as many times as you want. I know that this is a well known thing for some, but for me it was really something new ... so excuse my excitement about this triviality.