You all noticed me at the Inauguration, didn't you???
Being at the Inauguration was beyond words WONDERFUL! Never again will I ever expect to see so many people united, moved, encouraged, kind, patient, cheering, crying, and just connected for something so momentous. Let me give you an example of why I say this:
Reggie and I were literally trapped on the 2nd floor of the subway. A medical emergency a floor above kept any of us from being able to leave the station on the way to the inauguration. The trains below kept emptying out hundred upon hundreds of people until there were literally THOUSANDS of us shoulder to shoulder, trapped underground for over an hour. Claustrophobia, anyone? No personal space? A bit panicy? With all of that, no one did panic! No one was rude. No one pushed. To the contrary, people led cheers of "Gimme and O, Gimme a B". And also "When I say President, you say...and THOUSANDS of us yelled "Obama"! When the Metro spokesperson apologized, and asked if we could be patient due to the emergency situation, again, thousands of us yelled , "Yes, we can"!!!
I have never seen anything like it... and I cannot begin to tell you how icredible that alone was. And that set the tone for the camaraderie for the rest of the days to come.
That was just a tid-bit~if you'd like more of this narrative, let me know!!I have other wonderful stories to tell and adventures to share about our time in DC!
Hugs,
Claudia
Comments
-
Sounds wonderful!
Wow, tell us more! I'm glad you enjoyed yourself so much. I'd also be interested in hearing about any great places you visited in DC, whether to eat or hang out. I work in DC but haven't been out much lately due to chemo, so I can live vicariously through you. Waiting to hear!
Mimi0 -
I TOLD EVERYBODY....
here that I saw you look at the camera and wink! (RE: 'Important question' post.) But did they believe me? Noooooooo..... LOL
So glad you had a ball, even if you didn't actually go to one. Or did you? Now
THAT would be a story to tell! Waiting with baited breath.0 -
InaugurationMarcia527 said:May we have some more?
You just want to see us beg!!!! OK, spill it...pretend we are at a slumber party.
Yes, you may have more! We stayed at a small inn in Georgetown; it was charming, and "Inauguration Ready". Our room had a wrapped gift from a local jewelry store, a solid pewter key ring of a Donkey! Very cute, very funny! Also a box of chocolate truffles, in an embossed, dated 1/20/2009 box with the Presidential Seal on it. And, a signed, matted photograph of the White House by a local photographer. And oh yeah~ the chocolates on the pillows at night? Also the Presidental Seal on the wrapping!
On Monday night we met a group of friends for an Invitation only party at the Hard Rock DC. Three Native American Tribes had reserved the entire place for the evening, and it featured live music from the winners of the Native version of American Idol. Great food, great music,great friends, great fun!
Tuesday morning we got up at 4AM, dressed warmly ( and remember, it was 84 degrees in California!) and headed out to the National Mall. The high was 32, the low 20; quite a change for a spoiled Calif gal. I am happy it didn't snow or rain~ it was cold enough as it was, and the millions outside would have been really really cold and wet had the weather not cooperated! Many of the roads were either closed or re-routed, and even if one had wanted to take a cab, it was impossible. National Guard and police presence were everywhere, and one could only go so far before being redirected. It was rather easy to follow the crowd, though! We made our way to the subway station, and the aforementioned "adventure" happened. I cannot stress enough how amazing it was to be in such a potentially precarious situation and to have absolutely no one lose his temper or his humor. That will stay with me for the rest of my life.
The getting to the National Mall made me so thankful that I walk 5-8 miles 3X a week! It was rather like doing my half marathon, only this time with a maze of a route and 2 million ppl instead of 2 thousand! I I also had the GREAT fortune of being invited to view the swearing in ceremony from the 5th (top) floor of the Native American Museum! Reggie and I got to go in to one of the private entrances of the Museum, were given badges which gave us access to all the floors of the Museum. We were ushered by private elevator the 5th floor, and were greeted by not only a welcoming staff, but a wonderful catered meal~ smoked salmon, bagels, pastries, roast beef, salads, fresh fruit, a selection of juices, water and coffe. We could sit in a private room with a large screen and/or go to the balcony where we were perhaps 1000 yards, and at eye-level with the Capital Building! I didn't know what to make of all of this splendor. I was in awe, and so thankful that I had the opportunity not just to be in DC for history, but in such grand style. I took none of it for granted!
More later~ I know it is sometimes hard to take the time to read, and read, and read! But yes, Zah I DID go to a ball!
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
Fantastic!chenheart said:Inauguration
Yes, you may have more! We stayed at a small inn in Georgetown; it was charming, and "Inauguration Ready". Our room had a wrapped gift from a local jewelry store, a solid pewter key ring of a Donkey! Very cute, very funny! Also a box of chocolate truffles, in an embossed, dated 1/20/2009 box with the Presidential Seal on it. And, a signed, matted photograph of the White House by a local photographer. And oh yeah~ the chocolates on the pillows at night? Also the Presidental Seal on the wrapping!
On Monday night we met a group of friends for an Invitation only party at the Hard Rock DC. Three Native American Tribes had reserved the entire place for the evening, and it featured live music from the winners of the Native version of American Idol. Great food, great music,great friends, great fun!
Tuesday morning we got up at 4AM, dressed warmly ( and remember, it was 84 degrees in California!) and headed out to the National Mall. The high was 32, the low 20; quite a change for a spoiled Calif gal. I am happy it didn't snow or rain~ it was cold enough as it was, and the millions outside would have been really really cold and wet had the weather not cooperated! Many of the roads were either closed or re-routed, and even if one had wanted to take a cab, it was impossible. National Guard and police presence were everywhere, and one could only go so far before being redirected. It was rather easy to follow the crowd, though! We made our way to the subway station, and the aforementioned "adventure" happened. I cannot stress enough how amazing it was to be in such a potentially precarious situation and to have absolutely no one lose his temper or his humor. That will stay with me for the rest of my life.
The getting to the National Mall made me so thankful that I walk 5-8 miles 3X a week! It was rather like doing my half marathon, only this time with a maze of a route and 2 million ppl instead of 2 thousand! I I also had the GREAT fortune of being invited to view the swearing in ceremony from the 5th (top) floor of the Native American Museum! Reggie and I got to go in to one of the private entrances of the Museum, were given badges which gave us access to all the floors of the Museum. We were ushered by private elevator the 5th floor, and were greeted by not only a welcoming staff, but a wonderful catered meal~ smoked salmon, bagels, pastries, roast beef, salads, fresh fruit, a selection of juices, water and coffe. We could sit in a private room with a large screen and/or go to the balcony where we were perhaps 1000 yards, and at eye-level with the Capital Building! I didn't know what to make of all of this splendor. I was in awe, and so thankful that I had the opportunity not just to be in DC for history, but in such grand style. I took none of it for granted!
More later~ I know it is sometimes hard to take the time to read, and read, and read! But yes, Zah I DID go to a ball!
Hugs,
Claudia
Wow, Claudia, I am in awe! It sounds like an amazing time. And a private viewing from the Native American Museum, PLUS catering: I'm so jealous. I work literally three blocks away from that museum. Great restaurant on the first floor, but never been up top!
Mimi0 -
Tell us more, Tell us more.
Tell us more, Tell us more. We want all the nitty, gritty details Claud. I would have been in awe myself. I got very emotional just watching on TV, so I can imagine, what I would be like if I was there in the flesh. Post pics if you took any. Hugs, Lili0 -
Was it like going home?
Hummmm....stuck in the Metro, people chanting...all except for Jose getting stuck behind the turnstile because he couldn't find his 'exit' ticket, sounds the same as COH....ROFL!!!
WE need to see PICTURES!!!! Of that beautiful woman in her ball gown, at least!!!!
Hugs, Kathi0 -
Smile~ You're on Candid Camera!KathiM said:Was it like going home?
Hummmm....stuck in the Metro, people chanting...all except for Jose getting stuck behind the turnstile because he couldn't find his 'exit' ticket, sounds the same as COH....ROFL!!!
WE need to see PICTURES!!!! Of that beautiful woman in her ball gown, at least!!!!
Hugs, Kathi
Kathi~ I was thinking alot about COH when I was there too! We were of course at the exact same location, but there were 300 times more people there this time! Remember how thrilled (and overwhelmed) we were to be gathered with 10thousand fellow ACS/CSN and supporters? Now, make that 3-4 MILLION!
Jose had a time of it, didn't he?!! Not only at the exit gate, but we teased him without mercy because he was picked up by the police on his way from the airport! I can't remember exactly what happened, but as I recall, the friend who picked him up ran out of gas in a not so safe part of town...the police came to their assistance and if I am not mistaken, gave them a lift. I probably have some of the details wrong, but it was something like that! Made for good teasing, at any rate!
I don't have any pix of me...not even at the ball! If any of our friends happened to capture me, and send them to me, I will post them! Fair enough? I am so not a camera kind of gal~ I didn't even take one with me! Reggie did, but he knows how camera shy I am, so he doesn't even turn in my direction with a camera. Figured the newspapers would have better pix of the event, as would TV and the internet. And, except for one snapshot of me standing with a friend while camping, I have not had ANY pictures taken of me since I was diagnosed! As soon as a camera comes in my direction~ I duck, or sneakily step aside. Just who I am.....sigh
It isn't at all possible there would be a pix of me to share during treatment~ I even slept with a bandana on, and one under my pillow...and I even showered in the dark so that I wouldn't have to see myself~ not likely I was going to let Reggie see me! He would yank the bandana off, as he loved me regardless. But I didn't love me that way, so it was my own comfort zone I was trying to protect. A photo to remind me of that time?? Not likely! I even glued false eyelashes on if I had to go to the supermarket!
I know...I need counseling! :-) But being married to a Psyche RN for 25+ has put me off of that idea! LOL LOL
I was analyzed for over a quarter of a century just by being married! Enough already! ROFL!!!!
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
I am laughing so hard!!!!chenheart said:Smile~ You're on Candid Camera!
Kathi~ I was thinking alot about COH when I was there too! We were of course at the exact same location, but there were 300 times more people there this time! Remember how thrilled (and overwhelmed) we were to be gathered with 10thousand fellow ACS/CSN and supporters? Now, make that 3-4 MILLION!
Jose had a time of it, didn't he?!! Not only at the exit gate, but we teased him without mercy because he was picked up by the police on his way from the airport! I can't remember exactly what happened, but as I recall, the friend who picked him up ran out of gas in a not so safe part of town...the police came to their assistance and if I am not mistaken, gave them a lift. I probably have some of the details wrong, but it was something like that! Made for good teasing, at any rate!
I don't have any pix of me...not even at the ball! If any of our friends happened to capture me, and send them to me, I will post them! Fair enough? I am so not a camera kind of gal~ I didn't even take one with me! Reggie did, but he knows how camera shy I am, so he doesn't even turn in my direction with a camera. Figured the newspapers would have better pix of the event, as would TV and the internet. And, except for one snapshot of me standing with a friend while camping, I have not had ANY pictures taken of me since I was diagnosed! As soon as a camera comes in my direction~ I duck, or sneakily step aside. Just who I am.....sigh
It isn't at all possible there would be a pix of me to share during treatment~ I even slept with a bandana on, and one under my pillow...and I even showered in the dark so that I wouldn't have to see myself~ not likely I was going to let Reggie see me! He would yank the bandana off, as he loved me regardless. But I didn't love me that way, so it was my own comfort zone I was trying to protect. A photo to remind me of that time?? Not likely! I even glued false eyelashes on if I had to go to the supermarket!
I know...I need counseling! :-) But being married to a Psyche RN for 25+ has put me off of that idea! LOL LOL
I was analyzed for over a quarter of a century just by being married! Enough already! ROFL!!!!
Hugs,
Claudia
I remember being camera shy before I met Hans. And the introduction of digital cameras. Now, I just grin (literally!) and bear it....
I was sending smiles to you while you were in DC, it must have been grand! Pictures don't do it justice, I think.
Hans snapped pics of me, in my hospital gown, my first meal (scrambled eggs and peas, of all things!) post bowel resection. I told him to delete them, and empty the trash. He still has them but I sure don't....I agree with you.....it sharpens the memory of that time a bit too much!
Glad to have you safely back. Great that you had a wonderful time!
Hugs, Kathi0 -
Pictures in my mindchenheart said:I could have danced all night!
Next time I post here, I will tell you all about the ball I went to Inauguration night!
Hugs,
Claudia
Dear Claudia,
Thanks so much for going and sharing all your adventures with us. Your adventures are painted in my mind even if you do not have photos. I can't wait for the stories about the ball!
C. Abbott0
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