Inauguration

more inauguration pictures http://picasaweb.google.com/jonathan.bruck/ObamaInauguration#
Jenn and I spent Monday night back on Capitol Hill. We decided over Christmas that we lived so close to DC that we simply could not miss an event so important. Vin offered to host us originally, but last week decided that he didn't want to deal with the hassle.

Tuesday morning, we met David & Danielle at their house around 7 am and left for the metro. The first train was packed, so we let it go and took the second. When we got off at L'enfant plaza, we were amazed at the number of people waiting to leave. It was packed so tightly you could barely move your arms. It took us an hour to get from the platform out the door to the street. There seemed to be no additional personnel on duty.

When we got to the street, we walked west on Independence until we found an open gate at 14th Street. We found our spot and waited for the event to begin. We appreciated the event organizers rebroadcasting the inauguration concert from Sunday as it helped to pass the time.

It was a thrill to see, and to be there and know that you you part of history in the making. But even more powerful was the feeling that the country was turning the page. And that was the overwhelming feeling of the day.

The way home was another story, as everyone poured onto the street at once, and the intersection of 12th Street & independence felt dangerous, like a stampede could start at any minute. We wound up walking south on 12 to I, then across the southwest section of DC to New Jersey Ave, and back up to the hill.

People said afterwards that metro did a great job, but I hope that the powers that be will do things differently next time. 1. Provide more paths onto the mall than just from the south. 2. When stations are overloaded, close them.