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Tags: Australia Travel / Museum Travel / Government Building Travel / → All Tags

Australia Gets a Gander at Washington's Pens

Aussie tourism peeps are twitching with excitement in Australia's capital Canberra, because tomorrow sees the opening of a promising new museum in the majestic Old Parliament House building.

The Museum of Australian Democracy will have its ribbon cut by former Prime Minister Bob Hawke, also widely celebrated as the only Aussie politician ever to hold a world record for beer drinking. Although this new museum will be packed with nifty multimedia stuff and marks the completion of an impressive makeover for the old parliament building, it seems as though everyone is most excited about George Washington's pens.

Apparently, a writing set once used by General Washington is on loan to the museum, and this trip down under marks its first outside of the United States. If you can see past the pens, you'll also find out the workings of Australian democracy and get to take part in some (fake) decision making. The way we see it, democracy is working pretty well for Australia if beer drinking record-holders can become Prime Minister.

Related Stories:
· Museum of Australian Democracy [Official Site]
· Democracy Museum Breathes New Life Into Old House [The Australian]
· Canberra Travel Guide [Jaunted]

[Photo: TiagoPereira]

Tags: Attractions / Landmarks / Ben Bernanke / Buildings / Government Building Travel / → All Tags

Government Building Travel: What to Expect at the Federal Reserve

There are three ways to get into the Federal Reserve in Washington, DC and only one of them involves President Bush introducing you to the flashbulbs at a press conference. If you know that you'll be visiting the capital and have a burning desire to see the Martin or Eccles buildings which hold the offices of policymakers like Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, you can request a group tour at least two weeks in advance.

Can't round up 9 friends who care about monetary policy? We recently entered the Martin Building on the coattails of a private group, for which we had to submit our Social Security number and don an "ESCORT REQUIRED" badge at all times. We also had to pass through an airport-esque security checkpoint, including the dreaded removal of shoes. (It could be worse: Some federal buildings, like the US District Court in Oklahoma, don't allow any electronics to be brought in.)

If you visit, you might not to get to see much, either; your escort will usher you past an eternity of closed doors, and once in the building you won't be allowed to exit and re-enter at will. We didn't spot any giant bricks of money, but you will see the idiosyncratic collections of art which decorate the elevator banks. That said, it's a trip you should take if you can, if only for that opportunity to say, Hey, this is where the makers of monetary policy eat lunch.

Related Stories:
· Info on Touring the Fed [Official Site]
· Washington, DC Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: ayjayem]