Four years ago, I stood on the mall in Washington D.C., with a friend, freezing but oh so excited, waiting to witness Obama’s big day.
even the dinosaur was there.
We were staying in Virginia and had gotten up at 2 AM to take the train into DC, dressed in every layer we owned. We were surrounded by so many hopeful people, it had me waving the miniature American flags the Boy Scouts were handing out so vigorously that one broke and I had to go ask for a new one. I felt so patriotic that day–you wouldn’t believe a pragmatic half-European like me could feel like that.
all pictures are courtesy of my friend M., because I am way too short to be able to take pictures of any thing else than the people in front of me.
It was such an intense day, and it’s one of my favorite memories of that whole semester abroad.
Even if thinking about how cold it was gives me the shivers all over again.
What a memory to have. I can’t believe you were there! I remember watching the whole thing on TV.
From start to finish! We waited until George W. Bush had been flown away in a helicopter before going inside to warm up. It was crazy but great.
Catching up on your blog — it’s funny because when I think back about being at the inauguration, the two things I remember most were a) COLDCOLDCOLDCOLDCOLD and b) what an exciting day to be an American!