I must have started and stopped writing this post 1000 times over the last few days. I have been trying to find the words to be able to describe what being part of the Inauguration was like. The first words that come to mind are surreal, stunning, breathtaking, emotional, and incredible. It was a roller coaster of a day. After the infamous Train o’ Sass and discovering that the city had pretty much gone feral as everyone was scrambling to find their security check point, our number one goal, was to find a jumbotron. After moving around for a bit, we found ourselves behind our checkpoint, in our Silver Ticketed area. How this happened, I will never ever know. We certainly did not pass through security and we did not hop any fences or bribe any officers or anything. It was literally one moment we were half a block away from the mall, so close we could taste the Inauguration, the next moment we were caught in a rip tide of humanity that was whisking us away towards the Mall.
Once we landed at our spot (just off center, about a ¼ mile away) to view the ceremony, we paused and took stock of what was happening. Everywhere around us, people were laughing, hugging, singing, and cheering. You could feel the electricity and the excitement in the air; feelings of optimism, hope, joy… all of these emotions just building and building. It was the type of thing you wish Bob Costas were there to help over hyperbole-ize. It was not until after we heard “…so help me God” when the place exploded like your jiffy pop when you leave it over the fire for too long. Only this time there was not putrid stench of burned pop corn. It was amazing. Gordo and I took turns standing up on a barrier and looking back towards the Washington Monument and all you could see was tens of thousands of American flags waving wildly through the air. Everywhere you looked, there were oceans of people. - Over two million people. That is almost twice population of the entire State of Maine in one place. All coming together for the same thing. It was stunning to see in person and took my breath away. I do not know how anyone could see that sight and not get a little misty eyed.
Equally as amazing was President Obama’s speech. At times during President Obama’s speech, you could probably hear a pin drop. Nobody would say a word unless it was in hushed tones. There was the occasional “O-B-A-M-A! O-B-A-M-A!” chants that would arise. There was also the folks around us who let go the occasional affirmation, “That’s right!” or “Mmmhmmm” and the occasional “Yes sir we do!”. It was incredible. Everyone was captivated, hanging on to the every word, phrase, and expression that President Obama let fly to the crowds blow and the viewers all around the world. At one point, a police officer came by and was taking down the plastic fence that was in front of us. Normally, if the earlier parts of the day were any indication, this would have caused a stampede that surely would have gotten some hurt. However, as he cut the last piece free, he says, “Now listen everyone, you are all happy where you are, you have a great view. Just stay put and do not ruin the event for everyone. Just wait until it is all over.” He then removed the fence and one D-Bag took a step forward and the officer said, “Buddy, what did I just say? Just stay put and be cool” And we did. Nobody moved forward. There was this huge opening of space and everyone just stood back and enjoyed listening to speech. It was wild.
After the speech ended, Gordo and I made our way to the front of the Capital, pausing for a bit to slide around on the reflecting pool, which ranged from 2-3 inches thick to almost a foot. This is why we decided to not get on to the ice at the same time. The water was actually coming up over the ice on the edges, which made us pause for about ½ a second. Then we went on and slid around. One person went sliding by me exclaiming to his friend via telephone “Dude! I am the only person in the history of the world to be doing the ‘Robot’ as I skate on the reflecting pool”. And he was. He threw down a mean Robot. I am sure his friend Alexander was impressed. I then spun around doing my best Katarina Witt impression and over heard a woman ask her significant other “what happens to all the fish? Do they freeze too?” Obviously another friend of Alexander.
The rest of the day, we were walking around the city. Wandering in and out of street vendor stores looking at everything from President Obama air fresheners, to sweat pants. I am certain that if we looked hard enough we probably could have found the “official;” President Obama thong. Much to Gordo’s dismay (and to me and Brian’s relief), we did not. The last thing that I recall before we boarded the Metro to go home was the drum circle outside the Chinatown stop. It was one of those traditional city drum circles with plastic buckets and trashcans, etc as the drums. However, there were about 50-75 people surrounding this circle and with only two drummers wailing away, they all started singing about President Obama and celebrating his Inauguration. It was very cool.
It is not often that one can witness and be a part of a historical moment. The words above do not even remotely do it justice. I am not sure that I will ever find the words. I am just fortunate to have been able to be a part of it.
No comments:
Post a Comment