Freer Sackler Illuminasia

We walk to the national mall almost every morning, but rarely in the evening. I had heard the Freer Sackler Gallery was having a grand reopening ceremony this weekend with an Asian theme. Then we saw the light display mentioned on the Friday news. So last evening around 7:30, we wandered down Independence Avenue to the gardens and museum to see the Illuminasia event. It was packed! So it was quite unlike our morning walks where we practically own the place. The galleries were open too, which meant there were at least twice as many people underground as there were above. We headed to the north side of the museum, under the lanterns, just in time for the light show to begin. The music and show were quite nice. We did feel like sardines stuck in between the crowd. After the show we walked about the mall where there was food and entertainment. But we could hardly move so we decided to head back home. This morning we did our usual walk back and they were setting up again for today's events. Perhaps this week we will actually stop inside the newly renovated museum. It's been almost ten years since we were last inside the main building and weekdays are the best time to avoid the crowds.