4th Of July

Independence Day in the USA is a big big deal. The flags and red, white and blue bunting is everywhere. And on the day itself almost everyone wears a version or combination of the USA colours. It's magical.

An old school friend of Karen's, Barry Nel, had invited us for a drink at the Watergate Hotel (yes that hotel) for pre-firework drinks.

It was cool to meet Barry and his family as well as visit the hotel itself. The hotel is not to our architectural style but certainly has presence.

Check out these little cuties, Malcolm and Edi!

After drinks we headed off to find a space to sit in front of the Lincoln Memorial which looks across the Reflecting Pool towards the Washington Monument.

It was packed packed packed!

But also really cool to be sitting amongst people speaking English, French, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Hindi and other languages that were difficult to identify.

And then the fireworks kicked off! This was the most spectacular fireworks display Karen and I have ever seen. And it was glorious.

During the show there was a group of young people standing next to us. A Japanese and an Indian guy, a Chinese girl and an African American guy. All friends. All proud American's.

And the Japanese guy exclaiming as the fireworks bombed over our heads:

Fuck I love this country. Fuck! Fuck I love America. This is why my parents came here!