This was quite an entertaining production that halted all foot traffic for about half an hour. Even though road closures were widely broadcast in advance, the bus on the right had tried to get onto First Street, which runs behind the Capitol and was blocked at both ends. The police made the bus turn left onto First, then back up and turn left back into East Capitol Street, except another bus was blocking the way. So the second bus had to maneuver itself close to the curb on the opposite side of the street to allow the first one enough room to pass by. Finally they were both gone and people were allowed to go on their way.

One woman was visibly upset about the delay, and the police officer told her, “If you’re in such a hurry to get in line, go take a walk all around the block and get there that way.” So she did.

*****

On Friday, I walked to the US Capitol, where Senator John McCain was lying in state. It’s not like me to do something like this, but like many Americans I mourned the passing of a true patriot and man of honor. Throughout the day some 16,000 people waited in a line that doubled and tripled an entire city block, in blistering heat, for a chance to pay their last respects to McCain in the Rotunda.

I didn’t go in as I had a camera with me, which was prohibited, plus I was dressed in shorts, which would have been disrespectful, so I stayed outside and paid my respects from there and also took some pictures of the crowd.

Getting spiffed up, posted earlier: