Washington, D.C., is in full Obama mode – we are about to be the center of the universe for a few days and you can feel it in the air.
As this picture of Union Station shows, the Capitol City is ready to party. And party it will. With ten official Inaugural Balls and countless additional parties and fetes scheduled over the next few days, traffic and public transport will be stretched to their limits. But most people don’t seem too concerned.
Motorcades are of course a fact of life in D.C. – you know you’ve lived here a while when being delayed by the president’s massive convoy fills you with only irritation, not awe. For the past few weeks, we have been treated to the unique vision of dueling presidential motorcades. President Elect Obama has been a permanent fixture here for a couple of weeks and whenever he heads off to a meeting his motorcade shuts down entire blocks at a pop.
Twice in one week I’ve been stuck on a street corner waiting for him to pass. The last time it happened I had my camera handy:
The city is also ready for tomorrow’s big party. I was able to swing by the White House a couple of days ago and stroll down the Pennsylvania Avenue, right by the President’s reviewing stand.
That’s one of the great things about being in D.C.; it’s still a living city and needs to accommodate the people who live here and visitors. I walked right up to the construction site in front of the White House along with dozens of people from around the country and around the world, all amazed at being in the middle of such a historic moment.
For those of you not too farmiliar with D.C., here are a few pictures from last week. Prior to moving into Blair House, the official White House guest residence, the Obamas were staying at the exceptional Hay-Adams Hotel, which overlooks Lafayette Square and the White House.
Across the street from the hotel is the AFL/CIO’s headquarters building. The folks there wanted the Obama children to feel welcome every time they looked out the window, so a giant banner was put up just for them.
The Hay-Adams Hotel
AFL/CIO Welcomes Malia & Sasha