Inauguration Day!

Todd and I got up early this morning, dropped Natalie off at Barbie's (despite the fact that she's got a nice cold brewing), and headed up to the Ballston metro stop where there was still plenty of parking- on our way to Barack Obama's inauguration! We finally get to the actual metro (a hike if you're familiar with where the Ballston Mall parking garage is!), no one was getting into the station, but plenty of people were waiting. Apparently, since Ballston is fairly close to the city (about a handful of stops), by the time the trains got there, they were already full, so no one at Ballston could get on the trains. Thankfully, we talked to a guy on our long walk TO the metro station and he mentioned the 38B bus that went into the city. Well, not today! Today, it only went as far as Rosslyn (the last stop in Virginia). So we got on the bus and went to Rosslyn, then walked across the Key Bridge, through Georgetown (actually down the Whitehurst Freeway, HA!) and to the Mall. The sea of people was unbelievable. And everyone was in such a good mood! We walked up to the Washington Monument (which is on a hill, and provides pretty darn good views for a short person like me) where we stayed from 9-about 12:30. It was cold, but we had feet and hand warmers and lots of layers, so it wasn't really that bad. The wind could have settled down and that would have been helpful, and I'm pretty sure I have frostbite on my chin, but it was an incredible day. Even more incredible was that after the ceremony, we walked (slowly, with the crowds) off the Mall, and to the Foggy Bottom metro stop where we promptly got on a metro car. I even got a seat! We went back to Ballston and went to Rock Bottom brewery where we celebrated with a few delicious Oatmeal Stouts and a nice late lunch. Today was really amazing though. The crowds were amazing, Aretha Franklin was amazing, Yo Yo Ma and the quartet who played Air and Simple Gifts was amazing, and of course, the inauguration itself was BEYOND amazing. I was so proud to be a part of such a historic day. Since Todd and I are moving to Massachusetts this week, it was probably our only chance to get to attend an inauguration. And really, I can't think of a better one to attend! I'm cautiously optimistic though. President Obama has a huge burden on his shoulders, and I hope he can handle it. Bush has soured me to politics, but President Obama has given me hope. While I have always been and will always be proud to be an American, President Obama has renewed the excitement that I feel for my country. I don't expect miracles in a week, but I hope in 4 years (or 8 years!), we are better off than we are today.