For example, while riding the Marta train in to watch the parade, just as we pulled into Union Station, a well dressed gentleman waved some green tickets in front or us, and beseeched us to take these tickets to the Inauguration Ceremony. Not know the layout of DC at all and being a bit suspicious of strangers, I started to refuse, but the man looked me straight in the eye and said "You came all the way down here for the parade? If you've never seen this before, you HAVE to see it, its your duty!". I grabbed the tickets and we jumped off the train just as the door closed.
He was right. Despite the hour and a half waiting to get through security, we felt a deep sense of patriotic honor to witness the inauguration.
Then, trying to get to the American Sector, we worked our way down Pennsylvania Ave., snaking our way through a single file walkway that we probably shouldn't have been on. We found ourselves right in the middle of the ANSWER demonstration. They were as thick as underarm hair in front of the Canadian Embassy, and got right up in our faces, yelling and screaming. Now we are not used to people not respecting our personal space, and we come from a slightly gritty part of Connecticut. Lets just say that we know how to take care of ourselves. One jasper got a little too close to my wife and before I could lift a finger, she let him know that his future children's lives were at stake. A spark of sensibility showed in his eyes and he quickly backed off. You simply don't mess with a six foot Irish redhead (well, I do but thats none of your business :-).
Unable to reach the American Sector via Penns. Ave., we were routed up to D street, and then found ourselves in the middle of the Anarchist's little tantrum at 7th and D. I have pictures of the motorcycle cops riding in to the rescue and another contingent donning their riot attire. Looking at the size of the crowd waiting to get through security, and the police in riot gear approaching us down 7th, we decided that our presence was required elsewhere and we split. Wish we could have joined you at the parade.
We went back to our hotel and prepped for the ball. We shared our table and dinner with Marine Col Olsen and his wife Katia and Army LtC Jergensun and his wife Ann. Excellent company we had an excellent discussion on the history of the Muslim Caliphates with the LtC. Enjoyed the presentations, especially Sauropod's, and then danced the evening away. Had some dessert with some folks who had travelled in from Arkansas with the Governor, and closed the party.
Made our way back to the hotel around 1:00 a.m., knocked down a couple of Advil to dull my throbbing ankles, and slept until 9:30!! Introduced my wife to GRITS for breakfast and then took a leisurely ride home to Connecticut to gather our kids and batten down the hatches for the blizzard. And so, here I sit with a hot cup of tea, sidewalk and driveway shoveled out and glad to be home. Thanks, Kristinn and all the other freepers who contributed their time and effort. We had a great time!
Oh, and I also got to shake Jim Robinson's hand!
That's great! Hope she got him good!
We're from a tiny community. Washington was such big time for us. The Metro blew my mind. And oh yes, I learned one thing...Don't even smile at a homeless person. I had a friend for life with that one!
LOL. Yours is one of the most "colorful" reports I've seen. Thanks for sharing and give the Irish redhead a big hug for me.......Future children...Hahaha.