We were waiting to hear for months. Months, on pins and needles. And then, about a week before we were scheduled to descend on the nation’s capital, we got word that we caught a break.
We scored a coveted VIP tour of the West Wing of the White House.
Yep, the West Wing. Not the East Wing that is more widely frequented containing the President’s living quarters. The West Wing; the workplace. Like the show.
And…It. Was. Awesome.
There were strict ground rules. No photography inside the building. No photography in the Rose Garden. We all went through background checks. Metal detectors. No handbags. But finally, the day arrived.
And it was hot. We were ‘glistening’ in the humidity as we awaited entry. But as we walked up, we just kind of took it all in. This is where President Obama goes to work everyday. It was kind of surreal.
The West Wing was smaller than I expected. Admittedly, the whole White House was. The way it is shot on television and on movies, it seems so much more expansive. Before we walked in, we took a few snapshots of the Seal through the doorway, which was the only permitted option. Just after the main entryway, we were confronted with the ‘jumbo’ pictures of POTUS, which are changed out regularly. But there was one that is ever so familiar that we were told is never changed: The picture from the Situation Room from the evening when Osama bin Laden was killed. We studied all of the pictures on the wall from recent events and summits from around the world.
Next, we got to see it. The Situation Room. It was so weird, thinking about all of the history, all of the presidents that have held meetings there. The Joint Chiefs. The Vice President. All of it.
We were walking the halls that the Executive higher ups walked (and I am sure at some point, ran) daily. And then, we got to stop and peer in at the most awesome site of all: The Oval Office. It was just like the pictures. The Resolute Desk, the high ceilings, the furniture placement, all of it. Before the tour, I had always thought (as I am sure many did) that the Oval Office was in the main part of the White House…Clearly, that was not the case. I wish I could have taken pictures throughout the tour, but not more than that moment. But being arrested and held by the federal government wasn’t on the itinerary that day, so I stared, committing as much as I could to memory.
As we made our way through the West Wing, we then headed out to the Rose Garden. To the exact path that President Obama heads to press conferences in the garden. We saw where the helicopters land. It was so incredibly dope!
As we were outside we were not-so-secretly hoping the helicopter would land. That President Obama would come up and shake our hands and take a picture. Or maybe that FLOUTUS and the girls would peek out the window and wave. But, alas, the timing was off.
Our last stop was the Press Briefing Room, the one place we could take pictures inside. It, too, was smaller than it looks on television. The magic of angles, I guess.
We took pictures in the briefing room. Pics just outside the door to the West Wing with the door open to catch a glimpse of the Seal. It was super humbling to think that President after President worked in the very place we had just visited. I definitely want to check out the main part of the White House, but I wouldn’t have traded our VIP tour for anything. It was pretty epic.
How cool! It sucks that you couldn’t take pictures I would’ve loved to see. The most recent depiction of the White House I have in my head is from scandal LOL
LOL Tanay. Generally, the aesthetic setup is similar but it is smaller than I imagined!
Very cool! I didn’t even know they gave tours of the West Wing. Can you share how you go about getting this coveted experience?
Lauren, I happened to have a contact in the federal government that was able to set it all up. 🙂
What an amazing tour. That is a once in a lifetime experience.
Sounds like an awesome experience. I toured the east wing several years ago but it sounds like the west wing needs to be on my list of places to see next time I am in DC. Thanks for sharing.
Everything always looks different when it is on television verses reality. It is magic. Very cool that you got the opportunity to visit. I remember a long time ago I got to go easter egg hunting at the White House.
That sounds like so much fun Holly! I wonder if they would look at me sideways if I wanted to do that at this age…
That tour sounds super fun! Makes me want to go! Too bad you weren’t able to take pictures, but I’m sure you’ll remember it for years!
Glad you got to see you went to the White House. I have been there a couple times, and it was a great experience.
That sounds like a special experience. I’ve never seen the White House in person even though I’ve been to DC a million times!
What an awesome opportunity. I’ve only walked by the White House. It is definitely a treat to have been inside for a tour.
Visiting the white house must have been awesome experience. I’d love to go one day.
Great story. Thanks for sharing. I’ve never been to the White House. I would love to go one day.
soooo cool! I’m going to sign up for a trip to DC.
Wow what an awesome tour. Washington DC has been on my travel list for many years but I have yet to make it there. Hopefully I can get there one day soon.
Lucky you! I’d love to visit one day.