We Are One Concert (Craig)

I was really wondering, before we left California and its 70 degree plus weather, what in the heck we were doing coming back here to 5 degree weather and huge crowds. What I didn't realize is what an amazing event this is turning out to be and how lucky we are to be here.

On the flight out here, we were surrounded by fellow Inauguration goers, easily seen by their Obama hats, magazines and books. Some had tickets to the Inauguration, but most, like us, were just going to see if we could see a bit of history from waaaay back somewhere on the Mall.

We were welcomed into the lovely new home of our niece, Veronique Bishop, and on our first evening had a party with some of her best friends, playing music and dancing hula. Vero made a wonderful meal, all by her lonesome, that was to die for. Well, we had a little too much wine and we weren't feeling all that well this morning, Sunday, a day we were to head into DC to see the big We Are One concert. We headed down to the Metro station and easily got on, since this particular station is the first on this line. We even got special souvenier Metro tickets with Obama's picture on them. How cool is that?

We got off at the Smithsonian station and headed straight to the Mall, with a slight detour for DC street food...a polish dog and Pringles. We didn't have any thing to drink and I only had one cup of coffee as opposed to my usual three cups, as we were afraid of the port a potty situation. Not to worry! There are THOUSANDS of port a potties here. No lines, come right in.

We walked down to the Washington Monument and upon getting to the top spied the huge crowd already assembled for the concert, two hours before show time. But we were able to get up fairly close, once we got through security, as we watched the show from the trees that line the reflecting pool. Well, we really didn't see anything, even the Jumbotrons were far away.

But no matter, everyone had smiles on their faces, everyone was polite and not in a hurry, everyone was just HAPPY and so proud for our great country. Amy, Vero and I bought all sorts of buttons and were wearing them and we got smiles by the thousands. Amy kept tearing up at the slightest thing, and actually started crying into my shoulder when Barack was announced and came on stage. Again, we were too far to see him and could barely make him out on the Jumbotron.

We stayed for several songs, but by far the best was THE BOSS, man was he rockin' and all million of us were dancing.

And this is just the prelude. Tuesday is the BIG DAY.