So as to not get monument burnout, I went to the Intenational Spy Museum which is only about 6 blocks from my hostel. It is a very cool and interesting place. $15 admission was well worth it. The exhibits are slick and well designed interactive multi-media. There are loads of real historical and current spy gear, including such classics as lipstick and cigarette case guns, bugging devices, cameras, and micro dots. The history of spying is told in small absorbable chunks to keep you from getting museum fatigue. This is by far the best non-art museum I have ever visited. Sorry, no cameras were allowed.
The overwhelming feeling that I was left with was that there is a whole other high-stakes world happening right around us. It made me feel left out; considering the life expectancy of spies, maybe that is a good thing.
Daily expenses: $94.50. I stocked up on groceries so I can make my own food in the hostel kitchen. My breakfasts have been bellpepper, mushroom and spinach omelets with salsa and sour cream. And orange juice. Yum!
