The U.S. Capitol Inaugural Stage: On Tuesday, Barack Obama and Joseph Bidenwill take the oath of office here in one of the world's finest examples of peaceful transitions in power.
Yesterday afternoon, I wandered down to the east end of the National Mall to see the set-up at the Capitol for Tuesday's inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. The crowds on the east end were impressive and the excitement was palpable. But it was on the west end of the Mall, at the pre-inaugural concert, that I should have been. (Although, I'm not a fan of huge crowds and this one was estimated to be nearly half a million deep.)
Check out these pictures from the Washington Post.
Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 01/09
19 comments:
Beautiful picture! I have not been this excited about an inauguration a long time. There is such an atmosphere of hope!
I would love to be there to see it though I am sure I could not handle the crowds very well. So I will watch on television. These things are always exciting though.
Great pic. If you go, please be my proxy. Between the ridiculous transportation issues and not being able to bring a stroller on the mall(?!?), I think I'm going to have to watch it from my living room. I'm extremely upset about this fact because I would brave the crowds in a second if it were just me. Sometimes having kids really cramps your style!
My colleague tells me he plans to watch it on TV and then just tell his grand kids he was there. Maybe I'll have to adopt his strategy.
Cool picture! Can't wait to watch the inauguration - from the warmth of home with bunny slippers on!
Even I'm getting excited. I'll be watching at work tomorrow!
Lucky you to be there at this moment in history. I must be content to watch the whole proceedings on TV, but I'd love to be in the crush of the crowd!!
Lois: I think there are at least 66.8 million other people who feel exactly the same!
Lucy: Come on out. And bring Brian with you!
NG: Leave the kids at home with the KOH and come join us. We're planning to go down around 9:00.
Sterl: I wish I could wear my bunny slippers tomorrow.
Marley: It's almost better than Christmas for anticipation, isn't it?
Kate: I shall send up an extra loud cheer just for you tomorrow!
Enjoy your big day tomorrow! I'm so jealous you're so close to the action! Give the President a wave from me :)
Sounds great, but The KoH doesn't have tomorrow off. He also didn't have today off. My reasoning is it's because he works for a racist company.
I am soooooo glad I don't have to be in Washington this week. From what we hear on the news reports, gridlock sounds like a gross understatement. Hope you don't have to call 911 tomorrow.
Nice picture. I didn't have a concept of what the area was like where the inauguration will take place.
I love the picture. What's great is to have you right there in the thick of things - it just makes the whole event more real. Good luck with the crowds, it can be overwhelming.
I wish I could be there. I am soooo excited about tomorrow and the future.
Jackie: Will do!
NG: Well, boo on the KOH's workplace. Perhaps he could call out sick?
Bob: Traffic in the downtown around (about DuPont Circle in the north to just south of Independence Avenue) is an absolute nightmare. I wouldn't drive a car down there right now, even if you put a gun to my head. North of DuPont, though, it calms down a bit. But yes, it's a madhouse.
Tash: I've just had three separate conversations with friends--one of whom is backing out of going down to the Mall, one who is going down at 3:00 a.m, and one who is still up in the air about whether to go. I'm falling into that last category. And yet...
Andrea: You can get the redeye from L.A. There's still time!
Great photo, Janet! It must really be something to be in that energy right now. We've been watching it all day, just can't seem to stop. I'm so amazed to see this happen in my lifetime. Can't wait to see your other photos from this week.
I totally understand about the crowds. I have to be in just the right mood or can't handle it.
I'm so very jealous! I took a week off work with the intention of going to DC for the event. But, the cold weather got the best of me and so instead, I used to opportunity to come heat up in AZ. I'll be watching it on TV. Have fun tomorrow!
I envy you being so close to an historical day. We have high hopes here too for this Administration.
Kris: It's mesmerizing, isn't it?
Brian: Wimp! ;-) Actually, you're probably smart to enjoy the festivities from the warmth of Arizona, because it's COLD here. I have a feeling I'll be wearing so many layers I'll be indistinguishable from the Michelin man.
Babooshka: I'll send up a cheer for you. We have high hopes, too. I just hope we can temper them, because the things that need fixing won't be fixed overnight. The things that need fixing took years to muck up and will take years to clean up.
What a magnificent building our Capitol is. I like this before picture a lot. I can almost feel the electricity in the air.
Slim: The atmosphere on the day I took this--Sunday--was electric! It's was an amazing, amazing few days.
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