Our Trip to Obama's Inauguration

I am still recovering from the rigors of the Inauguration trip to Washington DC. From being amongst the crowds at the Lincoln Memorial concert and the Inauguration ceremony on the mall to attending the Neighborhood Ball and seeing the Obamas' first dance close up, it was a fantastic and memorable experience. Amazing to see history first hand.

Tynnetta, her boyfriend Walsh, and I traveled together from Chicago Saturday morning, with a pit stop in West Chester at my mom's. Sunday morning we headed to DC, where we met up with my neighbor and friend Patrice and made our way to meet my friend Martin from UNC and his gang.

We stayed one night at Tynnetta's sister's in Virginia and two nights at Martin's parents on Capitol Hill, a short walk from the mall. We spent an extraordinary amount of time walking and standing -- my back is still a bit sore! (The flat shoes my mom suggested for the Neighborhood Ball really saved me.....)

While being at Grant Park was a personal, dramatic, and emotional release for everyone, the Inauguration festivities felt bigger than all of us. So many people came from such distances to be there -- it felt like it was 1840 and all the good citizens of the country had to come to witness the inauguration. It was a powerful, unifying experience, albeit a bit surreal.

As the 11 year old boy I sat next to on the bus back to Philly said, "I'll be able to sit my grandchildren on my knee and tell them I was there for the Inauguration of Barack Obama, America's first African American president."

We Are One at the Lincoln Memorial

After dropping our stuff at my friend Martin's parents' house near Capitol Hill, we headed over to see the big We Are One concert at the Lincoln Memorial. (Martin's parents Pam and Bob were incredibly gracious and hospitible, hosting 19 people and two dogs Monday night, in a 2 bedroom, one bath basement apartment!) At the concert, we knew we couldn't get very close (gates opened at 8:00 a.m. and we were still in West Chester at that point) but our goal was to get a good jumbo tron view with a view of the Lincoln Memorial behind. Mission accomplished.

The concert was great -- two hours of interesting pairings of famous people (like Usher with Stevie Wonder) and lots of star power -- Tom Hanks, U2, Garth Brooks, Beyonce, Pete Seeger, Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige, John Mellencamp, etc, etc, etc..... A great spirit in the audience -- everyone was upbeat and seemed glad to be there. When the benediction began, a hush went over the entire crowd. (This deference pushed Patrice to tears! Tynnetta told her, "It's too early in the festivities to be crying, Patrice!"

People of all ages were there -- lots of kids.

Everyone also hushed when Obama spoke.
We were excited to get our picture in front of the "We are One" on the jumbo tron, but by the time the stranger guy actually took the shot, it was instead a listing of advice for Inauguration Day. But it is a nice pic of our gang, though.

The Inauguration, January 20, 2009

The night before the Inauguration, we headed to the mall and walked around for a while. Everything seemed ready for the onslaught of people and media.

Everywhere we went in DC, there were vendors selling all sorts of Obama-themed products (here, hot sauce, water, and even Obama lip balm).

Just in case you want a "You're the Bomb" Michelle and Barack poster (on sale, 2 for five dollars).

The morning of the Inauguration, we left Martin's parents around 7:15 or so and headed down to the Mall. There were already throngs of people. This line in the tunnel is the infamous "Purple Ticket holder line." These people weren't able to get in -- for some reason they ended up stuck in the tunnel the whole time.

Just off the mall, you can get a sense of the crowds. Although dense, it was orderly, upbeat, and not really very stressful.

When we arrived on the Mall (around 14th Street), we were greeted by Obama volunteers welcoming us, and Boy Scouts handing out free American flags.

Like with the Lincoln Memorial concert, my goal was a good jumbotron spot with a view of the Capitol.

On the Mall.

My attire at the Inauguration: flag, button, etc.

The Oath of Office.

On the Mall.

Afterwards, braving the cold in front of the Capitol.

The Neighborhood Ball

We were lucky to score tickets to the Neighborhood Ball through one of Patrice's connections from her volunteer experience in Minnesota. The Ball was the highlight of the Inauguration for me -- the Obamas made their first Ball appearance at our ball and danced their first dance of the evening to a serenade by Beyonce. It was a star studded event (Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Maroon Five, Jay-Z, Sting, Denzel Washington, Vanessa Williams, Leonardo diCaprio, etc, etc, etc.) There was so much positive energy and palpable excitement, especially when the President and First Lady appeared.
With my UNC friend Martin at the Neighborhood Ball.

A candid shot that I find amusing for some reason -- the expression on my face perhaps? (I am wearing a vintage USA pin from the attic on Church street and a ceramic Obama pin I bought at an Obama fundraiser at an art gallery in Chicago. )

Tynnetta, Patrice and I. (Unfortunately again with the tacky plastic drink cup.)

There was so much excitement in the room when President Obama and the First Lady appeared on stage. They looked stunning and everyone went nuts.

The President and First Lady's first dance of the Inauguration Evening.

Beyonce singing "At Last" for the Obamas' first dance. This is without any zoom -- she was right next to us.

The Obamas and guests on stage (with me hamming it up for the camera).

Another shot with me and Obama in the background (he is the tall figure standing right above my part).

Jay-Z singing in front of a montage of images from late 20th Century history, the Civil Rights Movement, and ultimately Obama's campaign. He kept urging us to hold up peace signs. "Peace signs....up."

The Bidens paid a visit to the Neighborhood Ball as well.

Grant Park! Election Night!

Me, Tynnetta, her friend Carol, my friend/fellow volunteer Reshad

With Sarah (Patrice's daughter) after it ended.

On the big screen.

Posing with a cut out of Barack (from right Patrice, Barbara, Sarah, Barack, Sarah's friend Alex)

Tynnetta and her friend Carol

Lights behind the stage, taken from the line.

Gary Indiana on Election Day

Ella and Rosetta, who were on hand at the polling location to help encourage people to stay in line.

It was a gorgeous day, mid seventies -- perfect weather for sitting outside all day. This was only a part of our Obama team on location at one polling site.

Two women from the Gary office, both volunteers.

Near Medinet Habu, West Bank Luxor, Feb 22.