We're just back from a weekend in the DC area, where the buzz inside and outside the beltway is all about inauguration day, January 20. Enthusiastic locals we spoke to are still on the fence whether enduring the crowds for hours on end in potentially frigid temperatures is worth being part of the historic day, or if Obama's inauguration is better seen from the comfort of one's couch. Logistics is one huge issue. Expect monumental log jams, human and vehicular; bridge and road closings, Metrorail subway tickets may need to be purchased in advance; our friends are considering sleepovers at offices close in to the parade route. Do you bring the kids to stand on the sidewalks for, say, 8 hours then face a long wait to get home, knowing the only glimpse you're likely to get of our new prez will be on a TV monitor?
Of course security will be tight all around - no strollers, umbrellas, coolers or backpacks allowed.
You'll have to really enjoy being close to complete strangers vying for personal space: estimates are 2 - 4 million people attending, surpassing all records. With those numbers, it's predicted even the cell phone service will be jammed. And if you're thinking of going now, you'll have to find a crash pad, since all hotel rooms in the area have been sold out for months.
So, Baristaville, are you DC-bound to experience history-in-the-making, first hand? Find Inauguration Day tips here, and here.
Comments (16)
And for the rest of us non-journalists (and many of us who are, too), that Tuesday will be a work day, so I will watch highlights on the news. I understand that Fox News isn't covering it all (unless Blago is going to make an appearance)...
This as written is a news item? And (albeit respectfully), it doesn't even sound as if was written by a "journalist," Conan.
You're kidding about Fox News, right, Conan?
The Baristas, being, like the rest of us, loathe to go back to work now that the holidays are past, are simply supplying a placeholder so we can all begin our own form of procrastination (posting here). Why don't you start the new year off on a generous, optimistic tone, cathar?
Guilty as charged of procrastination!
I was disappointed once already by his election victory speech (hyped to be MLK-inspired), so I have my doubts that his inauguration speech (hyped to be JFK-inspired) will be historic as well.
Stay home...he'll be in the NYC area before we know it..
Walleroo, I will respond to your poison-pen posting as soon as I finish writing my book on procrastination.
Nellie, I meant to write that "...Fox News wasn't covering it at all.." which probably would have made the lame joke slightly more understandable.
I heard that it will be covered on that new technology: TV.
And live even.
So why would I go?
The last time Mr. Obama was in DC with this many folks was the Million Man Mar--- whoops..... not allowed to talk about that......
I received a letter from Pascrell's office the other day stating that I was not one of the lucky winners of the inauguration ticket lottery but should still attend since the national mall area will be available for non-ticket holders.
As much as I would like to be there, I'll watch it on tv.
Miss the Steve Winwood show at the Wellmont? No way.
Stay in Baristaville and throw your own party to celebrate this momentous event!
Walleroo (and where have you been the last 8 days or so?), I'd excoriate you for your predictable defense of the Baristas. But I'm too bored.
You therefore seem today, to me, as much a non-item as this entire post is. You've maybe won some brownie points with management here, but I suspect you actually know better, too.
I thought about taking our T@B down there but usually campgrounds are out of the city and I don't want to sit in hours of traffic just to drive 10 miles to the inauguration. I'll bet those are all filled too. If not, there's a tip - go camping if you can't get a hotel room!
One must deciphre Cathar's less than meets the eye postings as meaning.."i'm not going to the inauguration because I'm too cheap and self-serving to make the strenuous triP!"
I wouldn't miss this for the world! Am staying with friends within walking distance of the capitol, praying it doesn't snow or rain!