Cultural notes:

In the U.S. there are probably more lawyers per capita than in any other country in the world. Americans go to lawyers to get divorced, to establish their wills, to sue others or to protect themselves from someone who is suing them, and to seek counsel in case of allegations of civil or criminal wrongdoing.

It is not unusual for a person to leave part or all of their estate to a long-lost or distant relative. Sometimes there are special conditions that must be satisfied before any money is paid, as we see in this dialogue.

However, for a deceased person to ask someone to relive her youth by traveling to the places she once lived does seem rather strange.

Acton:

MR. YOUNG: Your Aunt Stephanie was a fine lady. She certainly thought a lot of you.

MR. YOUNG (Cont'd.): As you may know, she had no direct descendants, so she wanted to leave you the bulk of her estate.

YOU: I can't believe it. She didn't come home to visit very often.

MR. YOUNG: Well, it's right here in her will. You can claim your inheritance as soon as you meet the stated requirements.

YOU: What requirements?

MR. YOUNG: After immigrating to the U.S., your aunt fell in love with her adopted country. She was especially fond of Atlanta, Washington, Chicago, and San Francisco.

MR. YOUNG (Cont'd.): She wanted you to visit some of the places that she enjoyed so much.

YOU: That seems easy enough. Anything else?

MR. YOUNG: Here are sealed envelopes with instructions about each place.

MR. YOUNG (Cont'd.): When you arrive in Washington, for example, open that one. Then you'll know what to do.

YOU: This is all very strange.

MR. YOUNG: Yes, it's strange, but worth the trouble, I think. When you finish your "treasure hunt" and return to Atlanta, I'll give you your check.

NARRATOR: You leave the attorney's office and return to your hotel room. It's time to plan your odyssey through the U.S.

Washington DC

Washington DC, the capital of the United States of America, is a city of symbols.

The Capitol building is where the United States Congress meets. The White House is the home of the president. The Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials were built to honor two of The United State’s greatest presidents. The Washington Monument, begun in 1848, is a tribute to George Washington, the country’s first president.

Washington is also a city of institutions: the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Library of Congress. The Supreme Court Building houses the highest court in the land

The city is one of the United States’ greatest tourist attractions with its many parks and museums.

The National Zoological Park, created in 1887, exhibits more than 4000 wild animals, and is also a major research facility. The Smithsonian Institution, founded in 1846, is the largest complex of museums in the world. The National Air and Space museum has more than 9 million visitors each year, making it Washington’s most popular museum.

Washington DC is also a city of art. It is home to the Hirschhorn and Freer museums, as well as the Corcoran Gallery of Art. You will also enjoy touring the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and dozens of other fine art institutions

The Folger Shakespeare Library has the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s work.

Washington is also a city filled with memorials to the nation's proud military history. Visitors can pay their respects to the nation’s fallen heroes at the intensely moving Vietnam War Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, and the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Nearby Alexandria, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, dates from the early 1700’s. The Old Town quarter of Alexandria features historical homes and elegant shops.

Georgetown is one of Washington’s favorite spots. There, you can visit Embassy Row, stroll down by the Old C & O tow canal, eat at Georgetown’s many fine restaurants, and walk it’s tree-lined streets.

And don’t forget to visit Mount Vernon, George Washington’s historic, stately home.

Visiting Washington D.C., the capital of the United States, will be one of your most memorable stopping places in America.