It really was an inauguration that I could feel. Check it out here: http://dynamicvirtue.blogspot.com/2009/01/inauguration-experience-you-can-feel.html
If you think the day was over, then you haven’t been keeping up with my blogs. In inaugural fashion and consistent with our groups pattern, the day was not over yet.
Unfortunately, the end of the ceremony started as the poet began to read her poem. I’m all for creative writing, but there was something about her cadences and the poem itself that did not impress me. Either way, it made great background noise for the crowd’s departure. After the crowd waved and ushered Mr. Bush on his way to the past I had to go to the restroom! I have no idea why people were still walking on top of the portal potties, but I just prayed that they didn’t step on mine while I was in there. After answering the call of nature we ran into a few of the Bruhs (Members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.), found our crew and headed back to the subway. I guess for some reason we thought we were going to be taking the same route home, but that didn’t work out. When we got to the subway there were massive amounts of people outside of the subway and we figured we would kill time then walk to the car.
With my sands staying in a nearby hotel, I had plans to meet up with her while the group continued on their journey. The massive amounts of people hindered this task so we eventually decided that everyone would meet up with my sands in her hotel before continuing our travels. With the subway shut down and people filtering into the hotel, one might have mistaken the camaraderie and scattered individuals for a recent natural disaster.
There were long waits for each public restroom as well as persons lining the hallways like refugees. Hotel officials didn’t even attempt to usher people out. Instead they came around with trash bags and made sure everyone was as comfortable as they could be. It was a great little rest stop on our journey and I was reminded of how much I missed my link. We were sure to catch up on what we could in the short time and the conversation piece was hilarious. With time moving forward, so did we and I separated from my sands in order to continue on my journey to the car.
I have a new found understanding of Pilgrim’s Progress b/c my journey would prove nothing less than eventful and long! The plan was to walk to the car following the Metro line in hopes to find a smaller stop with a shorter wait time. Well, I think that was the plan, but I figured Cory and Ash didn’t want to be in the cold anymore than we did so I just followed their trail and made sure not to fall too far behind. The journey was long and wearisome, but very exciting as well. The conversation piece was never a dull moment and I think I saw at least 8 parts of the city that you only see when you “take this short cut right up here”. We walked on a normally busy freeway (yes freeway; DC’s version of the 405), hiked through the streets of the city, I swear we walked through a restricted construction zone and we gave a $1 tip to a private vendor (he took snacks out the vending machine and put them in his private Wal-Mart bag, but who am I to judge a hustler b/c those cookies were SOOOO good). My discussion counterparts varied as much as the conversations and was greatly dependent upon whose pace I was matching. This variety made the time intriguing while the humorous banter of future world leaders made for a great distraction from my aching ankles. We rested in a lobby along the way as there was no room for us in the inn. Well the story was less like the Nativity and more like a friendly hotel manager allowing our party to warm up by his fire b/c he couldn’t seat us for dinner. Either way it was a good gather of wits, but we soon came to the realization that we had taken our people as far as they would go. Each turn, prior, was brought to the group for a vote, but at this time the elected navigators opted to proceed the rest of the way and return for the group once we reached the car. We made it to the car and once the remaining travelers were safe and warm, it was time to eat dinner - our first meal of the day. I know it seems like a grand ordeal, but I really enjoyed the journey. Sometimes I had to See It Through, but between the laughs and the sights, it was well worth the effort. Dinner was supposed to be icing on the cake, but with these people every moment is stimulating and the conversation piece did not disappoint me.
We tested our wit to get to the ceremony, we weathered an emotional storm during, we practiced patience shortly after and we dared our will before concluding with a trial of intellect over a nice meal. Did I mention that we did this all on 45 minutes worth of sleep? “I was tired” is an understatement. I wasn’t thinking of tomorrow and what experiences it would hold. I think if I would have known the tales to come, then the anticipation would have kept me awake. All I could think of was trying to make it to the couch at the Bat Cave. I missed the mark a little bit and passed out in the middle of the floor. Nevertheless I caught up on what seemed to be decades of sleep and I was well rested for the next turn of events.
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