I stayed with Rod who's friend, Derwin, was also staying. We went to Bohemian Caverns at the Stevie Wonder listening party and stayed to 1:30 and went to sleep at 3.
I woke them up like a drill sergeant at 4:15 am, started the car, took our zip lock bags of food that I packed like a soccer mom before we went to sleep(bags should only be 4x6x8 we were told)and drove to the Stadium metro station.
We got on a populated but not packed train and got off at Federal Triangle after a confusing time trying to figure out how to get there since roads were closed off.
We stood in the security line behind about 300 others waiting for it to open. Not too exciting and Very COLD.
We cheered as the troops went by at about 6:55 - 7:15. I was FREEZING and when the line opened people bum rushed it and took off past the people who had been waiting. I finally felt warmer as I was a sardine in a crowd of others. We finally got up to security and our apples were taken (can be used to throw) but purses and bags larger than 4x6x8 were allowed!! awww man, I could have brought more!
We get through security and were so cold we started running. I was too cold to really run my feet felt like bits of lead hanging off my legs. When we finally got inside the Wilson bldg it felt like they were melting. We were in the building where Mayor Fenty and staff works in an office with a view of PA Ave and 14th Street. Perfect for viewing the parade.
Rod is friends with Sean Fenty who showed us around Mayor Fenty's office. Fenty has some great pictures of him with the President. Pretty awesome, hopefully we can expect DC Statehood or at least, finally the end to TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION that has gone on too long in the city.
We basically watched everything on TV except when the president drove by from the White House on his way to the swearing in and on his way back in the parade (unfortunately he did not get out and walk in front of us but at the same time, we (hotel guests and ourselves) weren't background checked so it wasn't that safe).
During the day we were provided food and were warm. I feel sorry for those people outside who were cold and hungry and STILL didn't get to see the President walk in front of them. I did see Michelle Obama since my camera has a binocular like zoom but in the picture she's a brown, gold and white blur (skin, outfit and teeth). 45 minutes after the president drove past we went home. We were all so exhausted we went to sleep at 9 after getting pizza and seeing people freezing in dresses look for cabs.
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There were so many people there, so many people had connections - my friend Jennifer was sitting in section 12 and surrounded by celebrities for the swearing in ...but didn't bring her camera. My friend, Jabari's, father knew Joe Biden and was behind the scenes with him. But it didn't matter and doesn't matter because no matter the connections or the fame or absolutely no connections, like my sister and cousin who stood on the Mall, we are all one in shared excitement and shared hope and shared country. We are all Americans, and isn't that how a President should make you feel!
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