Me and J Edgar

Had the most fantastic afternoon at Newseum, if you are ever in Washington this is a "must do" attraction. Six floors of brilliant, moving, fun, interactive stuff giving the history of the news - how it is made and portrayed. Everything from the first Guttenberg printing presses to modern social media, with special exhibits centred on crime, presidential elections etc. Particularly loved the Pullitzer Prize film and exhibition.

Before that we had gone to the Sunday Market at Dupont circle, which is absolutely lovely. Another must-do if you are anywhere nearby.

Washington's underbelly very much in evidence today - the limbless, the homeless, the mentally ill were quite evident everywhere we went. Good that people are visible but not sure they are supported; maybe it is just Washington's lot that such a grand city with plenty of space and wide sweeping boulevards only serves to emphasise the plight of the have nots - in London and New Yoork maybe they are just better hidden. Got in to conversation with one guy with no legs who was begging at Dupont; he was one of those typically confused white older guys who claimed to be a Tea Party supporter - ranting quietly about international conspiracies and how the British Monarchy was in league with the Arabs to manipulate world affairs - advised me to join the Freemasons and not to trust anything I read in the papers - he wasn't unpleasant, in fact he was quite sweet, but looked like he had grabbed on to anything that gave him re-assurance in the confusing flotsam of the new media age ...

So the American adventure is nearly over ... we've had a fab time and I'd love to stay longer, but home tomorrow evening ... might be able to squeeze in a bit of last minute sightseeing during the day tomorrow 'though - one last American blip ...