Tuesday: Recap of the Ceremony and the Parade

The walk down North Capitol Street was fairly uneventful. For a day that all the locals had been dreading, in bated anticipation of disaster, there was a street devoid of much activity. It was only when we were closer that and accosted by the omnipresent street vendors that were hawking their wares. From the Obama Dollars to the hot pink Obama Family shirts, it was invigorating to see so many pushing their wares as people bustled down to the Capitol.

I stopped in at an Au Bon Pain few blocks away from the Yellow Gate, where we were headed ultimately. I got a coffee and a cornbread muffin as well as a commemorative edition of The Washington Post for the day; that would be my souvenir.

Finally getting down to the Capitol Grounds however, Joe and I encountered a lengthy line that stretched for several blocks west finally hitting the line for the Purple Gate. Doing our best, we tried to stay in line and move forward as best we could. The time when we got into line was perhaps 7:45. People were chatty and excited. Some jumped or shivered as the temperature continued on its slow rise. The sun came out for extended periods of time as the clouds moved through the canvas on the sky. Finally, it was just the cold painted across the blue expanse above with the sun bursting out over the painting. We began to move, a few steps at a time and then more quickly as 7:45 became 8:00 and then 8:30 and then 9:00. A few people desperate to get in quickly asked to get into line; there were adamant refusals. As we finally got into the gate, a security officer boomed that line cutters would have their tickets confiscated; he claimed he had already taken eight that morning. I wondered to myself what he was going to do with those eight tickets now.

Around 9:30, we finally made it to our seats, in the middle part of section 15, a triangle patch in the grass close to the Capitol front. (The side facing the National Mall incidentally is actually the rear-side of the Capitol; it just happens that most tourists approach the Capitol from the National Mall and it has become more iconic now. Just look at the statute on top of the Capitol Dome. It faces east.) A satellite eagle-eye view of the Mall is available.

People around us were all ages, races and walks of life. The commonality was that we were all excited for what was to come. The music selections helped to pass the time. A jumbotron gave us vistas of the Mall behind us as well as the performers. The stand itself where the oaths were to be administered was clearly visible from where we were sitting, though the individuals moving around them were mere heads bobbing around.

Finally the time came as various VIPs were introduced and seated. The crowd was raucous for the Democrats, but was mostly politely quiet for the Bush's. A smattering of boos could be heard in the sections behind us and perhaps from the Mall, but it was fairly quiet and dignified where we were sitting.

The rest everyone has seen or read about by now. My only comment is that it was emotional from where I sat. An elderly looking black woman behind me had tears in her eyes as Obama took the oath. The cheers were mighty at the conclusion.

But in DC fashion, people got up after The Moment (as CNN has come to call it). The benediction and the National Anthem was assaulted by people trying to beat the impending traffic horrors of masses of people moving. Joe and I waited until the conclusion as a majority of people did and managed to get to the front of the Capitol in time to see Bush off in his helicopter. It truly was over at that point and change had happened as peacefully as it has in this country yet again.

Epilogue
We walked to Ashley and Beth's to have some pho that Ashley had made. We watched the live coverage of the Congressional luncheon and heard about the rumors of Ted Kennedy's collapse. The parade followed as well as our thawed bodies. It was a delight to see Obama get out of his limousine and to walk; a populist in some ways, isn't he?

Tuesday: Cold out there...

The big day is here! We are now on our way to try to secure good seats for the swearing-in ceremony. Stay warm everyone, and pictures and more to come! The Washington Post has scooped everyone else with an article this morning about the commuter snarls getting into the city...


Current Temperature: 20.8 degrees F
Forecast: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of snow showers this morning. Highs in the lower 30s. North winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 20 percent.

Sunday: Lincoln Memorial Recap

"And yet, as I stand here tonight, what gives me the greatest hope of all is not the stone and marble that surrounds us today, but what fills the spaces in between," he said. "It is you -- Americans of every race and region and station -- who came here because you believe in what this country can be and because you want to help us get there. . . "

-- Barack Obama, Washington, D.C., January 18, 2009

My visit on the Mall was a casual stroll down America's front lawn. Walking from the Capitol westward to the Lincoln Memorial, we saw a preview of the excitement for Tuesday. The numbers were slightly higher for a cold January day, and the usual landscape of the Mall was interrupted by Jumbotrons and speakers as people streamed around. MSNBC had a large structure enclosed near the Smithsonian Castle. People waved in Today Show-like manner to try to get on television.

Joe and I arrived at the west-side of the Washington Monument and encountered a mass of people. The security checkpoint was at the World War II memorial, but by the time we arrived at 2:45, there was no longer any admission to the area. So, we were content to stand and watch.

The concert pulled together several different characters, from Beyonce to Bruce Springstein. Tom Hanks gave a dramatic speech (I quietly exclaimed, "Forrest!").

The crowd was most excited when they saw shots of Barack -- exclaims and yelling of his name were heard every single time the big screens cut to his face. The country's attention and adoration of the man never ceases to amaze me.

Epilogue
The Ravens lost. I watched the game in a bar in Chinatown and proceeded to celebrate and anguish on the events of the day.

Sunday: Hanging out with Ritesh et al.

I am enjoying my time with Ritesh, Gbenta, David, Miranda and Joe at their condo in Chinatown. Obama! I also enjoyed my time at ACS and at Fado's (a change from plans!).

Sunday: Weather and Plans

Washington, DC Weather and Forecast: Currently Cloudy, 35 degrees F. Rain and snow showers mixed for the afternoon. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precip 50%.

• Driving down from Baltimore to Washington.
• Meeting and staging with friends on Capitol Hill as early as possible.
• Going to Lincoln Memorial (two mile walk) for Opening Ceremonies, Bruce, et al. (2:30 pm)
  
• Going to ACS Reception in Adams Morgan. (4-6 pm)
  
• Ravens @ Steelers game at the Pourhouse in Eastern Market. (6:30 start time)

Saturday: Baltimore Recap and photos

"We should never forget that we are the heirs of those early patriots, ordinary men and women who refused to give up when it all seemed so improbable, and who somehow believed that they had the power to make the world anew. That is the spirit that we must reclaim today."

-- Barack Obama, Baltimore, Maryland. January 17, 2009

It was a full day yesterday in Baltimore, a wonderful way to kick off the festivities for this weekend. I was able to enjoy it with my two good friends Joe and Brianne. After being told by city officials and newscasts that the immediate area by the City Hall was at capacity at 3:00 pm, we decided that it was still worthwhile to at least walk up and try to get in. And we were able to. Throngs of Baltimore residents and others from around the area passed through what was one of the more efficient security gates I had ever seen. We moved quickly through into a square that seemed to still have plenty of room.

The electricity in the air was the most noticeable aspect. People were dancing, talking to each other -- complete strangers in most cases it seemed -- all with a common sense of excitement at the pending visit from the President-elect. The racial makeup reflected the city's demographics from my vantage point -- mostly black, but with sizable representation of white, Asian and a very few Latinos.

As the introductions and talks finally began, the crowd started cheering Obama. Various famous characters of the Baltimore political stage spoke: Governor Martin O'Malley and Representative Elijah Cummings. Noticeably absent from the spotlight was recently indicted-Mayor Sheila Dixon. The charges are all misdemeanors. Though she was onstage according to my friend who was a reporter in the press pool, she was not acknowledged or asked to speak.

When Obama did finally speak, the crowd listened to some poetry. A call to service, a look back and a look forward. It was over in ten minutes. People who had braved the cold weather were content as they moved out of the square. A great day indeed.

Epilogue
As we exited the square, we walked through people with the entrepeneurial spirt of America. Literally dozens of vendors were hawking buttons, shirts, gold bracelets even as we exited. Someone even had an Obama calendar which was getting some looks. Ah America.

Saturday: Baltimore update

Just got my friend Joe from the bus station. I saw on my way up that the City Hall site was already full and it was best to go to the Inner Harbor where a Jumbotron will be... more later, hopefully with pictures!