snapshots abroad: 2012

I usually re-size my pictures pretty small for posting, but this time, for your viewing pleasure, I only brought them down to 33% instead of the usual 20-25%.

I towed the SLR camera along today, and since I had fresh batteries I spent a good long hour snapping over 200 pictures as I made my way through the building. Enough narrative:

Let's get straight to the pictures!

I like the one with the wreath because you can see the National Monument in the middle. More of the Visitor's Foyer.

Detail of the beautiful globe-like ornaments, meant to create a child's wonderland.

Center Hall

Library

Vermeil Room

China Room

Let's go upstairs!

The East Hall and its sumptuous decoration

The Green Room's trees had ornaments that were miniature terrariums with real plants!

The only piece of Blue Room furniture that was not removed for the great big tree.

It's back was rounded to fit the oval shape of the room.

The ceiling isn't really crazy-slanted like that, it's just an effect of the camera lens

This ornate table in the Red Room is inlaid with marble

State Dining Room and gingerbread/white chocolate White House

Cross Hall details

First Lady tribute tree details

Kids singing carols in the Entrance Hall

Ho ho ho! That's all, folks!

I got to go inside the White House! I've been joking that if you show up enough times they finally let you in the building. When the email went out asking for volunteers during the holidays, I tried to be as flexible as possible with my schedule so that I could increase my chances of being selected. This time of year is the most popular with volunteers, and they only pick people who have already volunteered for other events previously. So, since I already did the Easter Egg Roll and Spring Garden Tour, I was hopeful.

My job was to greet tour visitors at the East Wing Entrance, hand out visitor booklets, and point them in the direction of the post card station where people could write letters of thanks to troops overseas. It was by far the easiest gig I've worked yet. After my shift was over, I was allowed to join the self-guided tour.

Along the way I met some really nice fellow volunteers and Secret Service Agents.

One of the perks is that this is the only time of year when White House visitors are allowed to take pictures. However, since I didn't know how much work I'd be doing, I only took the mini camera so I apologize for the graininess of the photos. I was selected to do a second shift next Saturday, so check back for more and better pictures since I'll be taking the big camera!

The rest of this post is pretty picture-concentrated. If you want to get an idea of which where the different rooms are, there's a great virtual map at http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/ if you want to follow along.

We were allowed to store our belongings in the First Lady's reception room, which is to the immediate right of the East Wing Lobby, where I was working. The Secret Service Desk can be seen on left.

(Side Note: There was a beautiful floral arrangement on the Secret Service Desk. It was a little wilted, but I made a comment about its beauty to the Agent and he replied that it was awful because it was three days old and it is a rule that all the fresh flowers be replaced every two days since you never know who might be dropping by for a visit)