Have you ever had an urge to spy on someone? Have you ever uttered that expression: “I wish I could be a fly on the wall”? I certainly have and probably on a regular basis. I would love to learn people’s secrets especially those of my enemies. But I am not wiling to risk my life for it, even though it is apparently a very lucrative business.
As I have mentioned before (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2012/05/for-entrance-into-pearly-gates.html) I have an affinity for
Travel Channel host Don Wildman and his show “Mysteries at the Museum”. It combines my four passions: travel,
museums, history, and of course Don! I learn of places I want to visit and even
sometimes of things I have missed at the places I have been. Since each episode
is a jumble of topics and locations, I never know what I am going to see next.
That is the best part. Well that, and I did I mention Don? Ok we will get back
to him later.
In my previous post, “For
the Fastest Way to China: Terracotta Warriors”, I discussed my visit to the
Discovery Times Square Museum. Well on the same visit I saw both of their
current displays, one was of course the Terracotta Warriors but the other was
the “The Spy Exhibit”. I have to
admit when I first heard about the spy portion opening I was not immediately
convinced I was going. I didn’t think it sounded like a “me” thing to do. But
as I read more about it my interest was growing. What actually pushed me over
the top with enthusiasm were a few episodes of “Mysteries at the Museum”.
On the show I saw pigeons
that were trained to pilot missions and take pictures, umbrellas that were used
to shoot poisonous bullets into strangers, even nickels that has transmissions
in them. These were a few of the items I would now get to see up close. But I
was really exciting to learn that the Eisenhower Trowel would be there as well. I had only just seen that on the show
recently. It was originally used
to lay the cornerstone of the CIA building and then engraved and presented to
the President. I do love Presidential artifacts! Speaking of which, there was a
mock Oval Office at the exhibit! Talk about fate. That was it I was in.
This exhibit had a little
bit for everyone. Each piece was more unimaginable than the next. It occurs to
me that I am not creative or discreet enough to be a spy. There were stories of
spouses spying on the other for years, dead rats carrying money, a laser tag
room where you could run through to see if you were fast enough to out run
security, submarines that didn’t look big enough to hold my purse, and fake
fish that were used to scope out foreign waters. This is just barely a few of
the items that I am remembering off the top of my head. But I saved my favorite
for last. They had an actual piece of the Berlin Wall! Can you stand it?! I
couldn’t! I have about fifty pictures of it. Once again non-flash photography
was allowed so this was really my day.
I now know I have to make
my way to the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. On a previous trip
to that city I didn’t have the time or interest but now I know I must go. A lot
of pieces will be similar to what I have seen here and I know many more were
shown on the Travel Channel. What a great excuse for a trip, like I needed one
right?
After visiting this
exhibit I decided to tweet Don Wildman to let him know he was to thank for
teaching me and encouraging me to see this great exhibit. To my great surprise and delight he
responded several times and favorited my tweets! As I told Don, I was so happy
I could die, but I didn’t just went to sleep with a big smile on my face!!
If you want to learn the
tricks of the trade be sure to stop by and see all of the great things this
exhibit has to offer. It will be here until March 31, 2013.
As if you needed further
incentive, you can literally have your cake and eat it too. Juniors Restaurant
is directly across the street. I recommend the raspberry swirl cheesecake it’s
the perfect way to end a day like this!
For what I have learned
from TV about spies so far:
For more about “Mysteries
at the Museum”:
For more information and a
coupon on the exhibit:
For the International Spy
Museum:
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