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I'm back (a bit later than I thought I'd be).

Yes, there was a condolence book area on the way out of the Capital Building, and at 6:30 AM on Friday, I signed your name in the book exactly the way you requested: "Ivan from London, UK and Freerepublic.com".

We arrived in D.C. around 11:00 PM on Thursday, and got in line to pay our last respects to President Reagan at 11:30 PM on the dot. We finally entered the Rotunda after a 7 hour wait. (Fortunately, it didn't rain.) I'm a jogger and in fit shape, but by the time the sun came up, I was staggering I was so exhausted. A number of people, over a hundred easily, were so tired they just laid down on the grass and fell asleep right there in line. The later it got, the more people we had to step over or around. The line didn't really stop that much or for very long, so in a sense it was a slow continuous 7 hour march. I can't imagine what it must have been like to do that during the heat of the day (and all those people who did have my utmost respect).

All types of people from all over the country were there. The guy behind us was an older man who'd flown in from New Orleans. The guys in front of us were a couple of "Young Conservatives"/ college students. There were several members of the US military in line wearing their dress uniforms. At one point we passed a series of news vans. We kept passing van after van with no one saying a word, until we passed the Fox News van, then people started pointing and exclaiming, "Look it's Fox News!" Around 3:30 AM some reporter came up and asked how long we'd been waiting in line, when people answered with "4 hours", the guy looked at us like we were all crazy. (Hmmm... must've been from CNN.)

The Park Service workers gave us a bottle of water every couple hours. There were police everywhere, and they were very friendly and helpful. I guess we were their kind of crowd: orderly, respectful, well-behaved... not averse to bathing. The later it got, the more people started doing things like singing to keep awake. We heard "God Bless America", and a large group ahead of us kept singing "Happy Birthday" to someone. Nobody sang "Kumbaya", though. hehehe.

The reason we went when we did was to avoid the heat of the day, because I didn't want to be forced to wear casual clothing. I wore my nicest black dress with a small American flag pin on the lapel. (I'm so glad, I had the foresight to carry my heels in a bag and wear Reeboks while waiting in line. I doubt I would've made it if I hadn't.) At sunrise, I looked back, and saw that the line was still very long with people standing where we'd been hours ago. I know they must've had to turn people away.

For some reason, around 5:00 AM, even we were told by the Park Service people that we might not make it to the front of the line in time to be allowed into the Rotunda. In a weird way, I didn't care. As badly as I wanted to pay last respects, I also wanted so many people to show up that there was no way the throng could possibly be accommodated. (So, it was only fair to be content with the prospect that one of those unaccommodated people might end up being me.)

We went through a couple of security checkpoints. One quickie "peek in the bag I was carrying" checkpoint before entering the grounds of the Capital Building, then the "metal detectors and everything" checkpoint. They took my lighter away from me and checked to make sure my cell phone was turned off, then they let me pass. I'd already switched my shoes, and was almost as wobbly as a little girl wearing mom's high heels for the first time (I was that tired), but being so close also gave me a second-wind. There was a tiny shrine next to the last security checkpoint with a photo of President Reagan where a few people had left bouquets of flowers (one of the items on the "Forbidden to bring into the Rotunda" list.)

We walked up some ramps to get to the balcony. There were a handful of police officers up there. One of them was holding a cool looking short-barreled shotgun and watching the street below. Near the foot of the stairs to the Rotunda, I realized how close I was to actually being there and started getting nervous. The people around me, who'd all been chattering away less than 10 minutes ago, were now silent and somber. No one said a word as we ascended the stairs. I looked at my watch; it was 6:24 AM. Then, I entered the Rotunda.

I can't really explain everything I thought and felt. A rapid stream of memories (flashes of various images of President Reagan talking, smiling, debating... remembering the sound of his voice when he laughed... and other memories too, memories of the way things were...) I felt a little lost, sad, and serene all at once... awed, grateful, hopeful, then heartbroken, then at peace. Since, I don't allow myself to cry in public, I had quite the battle with the lump in my throat. The Rotunda was very quiet, except for the sound of people's feet and an attendant's softened voice instructing us to keep moving. I turned, took one last look, whispered "goodbye", then left. On the way out I received a card.

There was a tent on the street next to the stairs I'd just descended with condolence books. There was a very short line and about eight or so books out with people signing them. I signed your name, then signed mine.

Wow, this has got to be the longest post I've ever made. I just wanted you to get the feel of what it was like to be there, hence the detailed account. I'll shut up now.