Inauguration

It's done. He's in. Thank God!
We left after breakfast this morning and walked the 19 blocks down to the park toghether with thousands of others, streaming like lemmings down every avenue and street corner, with a common goal to see and be part of a historic moment. You can't really see it, but the street we were walking down - as I said, one of many - was filled with people as far as the eye could see. And as before, it was all orderly, calm and happy. Everybody were wrapped up good and a lot of people were carrying blankets!

We came down pretty much where we were on Sunday, the Lincoln Memorial and it wasn't too crowded. By the statues/monument of the North American continent a lot of people were sleeping (!) on the ground, wrapped in foil or pastel coloured fleece blankets. Not sure why they bothered, as they could have easily gotten a better place closer to the Capitol.
Anyway, this is when it started getting a little packed. Most were waslking at a good pace and with purpose but it is a rather long way first up to the Washington Monument - we did not walk on the mall as we didn't want to get stuck on the grass - and then up passed the Smithsonian. By then we were wondering if we'd be able to get in. There were just _so_ many people.!

There were several roadblocks that you had to either squeeze through or climb over and the lemming-feeling got even stronger. There were several lines forming, when people with different tickets tried to find the right entrance to the Grand Stand. The people with blue tickets were rather severely short changed, as their entrences had been closed off early and thousands were left to go watch somewhere else... We managed to find the right way and found ourselves at the Entrance and Security check point by 10.40, which I think was pretty impressive. Once in, it was easy! It was also really nice to get inside for a bit and use the toilet! Funny thing was that we were sent through the storage room as it was a short cut to the other elevators! Then a final security check - just like the ones at the airports! - and we were there.

Hallelujah!

The view behind us was stunning... the sea of people all the way back across the mall, steaming in the cold sunshine. However, the people closest to the fence were happier when we did not stand on our chairs to see better, as that blocked their view. And instead of that turning into a "well, I'm gonna stand beacuse that's better for me"'stand off, every body sat down nicely!

we were in Section 12, which was smack bang in the middle, about 150 yards away from the stand and it was possible to make out little people up there, but not really who it was. We had a screen to watch too - sort of behind a tree, good thing it's winter so no leaves! - so when it was time for Obama to make his speech, you knew it was him, that little figure up there by the pulpit.

What a day!

It was bloody freezing, but it didn't matter. We chatted with the people around us, in front a rather cantankerous old lady, who after a while became a little happier. Her great aunt came from Sweden and moved to Minnesota and had taught her Swedish drinking songs. Typical! Behind us, we had a former member of Congress in Oklahoma and former Quarterback. Funny thing with that was that the old lady in front had taught the young congress man a long time ago... It is a small world.

At 11.30 the dignitaries started arriving and both Carter, Clintons and Al Gore got huge applause. Bush Sr got polite applause but wow, you should have heard - and you probably did, on tv - the crowd when "Dubbya" was announced. The boos were viscious! Not very nice, I thought. Yes, he was a terible president and good riddance and all that, but he's not evil. He did not do badly on purpose and does not deserve that, at that time. What happened to winning graciously? Or is that just losing?

Then he was there. And the crowd went totally wild. No sitting down then. And it wasn't cold. Aretha, in her very unique hat - that you could spot from miles away! - sang her heart ou and we stood silently as Joe Biden was sworn in as the Vice President.

"One down, one to go" mumbled the lady in front of us and the big Indian with his braid all the way down his back laughed. We waited patiently as Yo Yo-Ma and others played a beautiful piece, that we on our little row decided would have been more suitable for a summer's day and a nice rousing march would have been better!

Finally it was time for the Big Moment. And as you all saw, it went well, even though he stumbled a little on the words. After the anthem was sung,m we started shuffeling towards the exit and I spotted Forrest Whittaker. AND took a picture! Ha!

I'll have to add that later, as I have maxed out on this posting.

The exit march included a few small obstacles like benches, chairs, road blocks, plastic fencing and stubbourn members of the audience who just would not be moved just yet! Once out of the park, it was a pretty easy and quick! walk to Union Station, where we had been invited to have some hot food and drinks to warm up before braving the 22 block walk home.

There you have it.

It's time to pack, shower, get dressed up and go to the ball. We have decided to only go to one ball, since the logistics of getting from one to another is just oo much of a hassle in a town where all roads are closed, Metro is full, taxis banned and weather not quite permitting for walking around in black tie...

I'll probably not be able to post any more until I get back to London, as the mobile posting has been a little iffy and our flight is at 9am tomorrow morning and night time blogging was not a great experience!

So, I'll see you later!