My Inaugural Adventures... Day 1 Part 2

So, it's 11:11 -- really, i'm not much for numerology, but i'm pretty sure i'm supposed to make a wish.

A look back at our first day.

It's important to note that i'm currently working on two hours of sleep. I had a lot more difficultly sleeping in the car than I imagined I would... That would probably be the biggest mistake of planning and plotting out our little adventure.

What really amazes me was how strong I kept going all day... I swear to you, DC has energy streaming through it's streets -- transmitting itself into your soul as soon as you set foot.

Soooooooooooo, we got into town about 10:04 -- more specifically, we arrived in the parking lot for the Fairfax / Vienna rail station. After fumbling through our luggage, shifting assets from the visibility to the secretive nature of the trunk -- we had our first adventure on the Metro system.

I kid you not, no matter how much you expect it -- you'll almost fall when the train jerks forward, or to a stop.

So, we got into town.

And, while the "itinerary" suggested we were supposed to catch the DC Circulator we ended up hoofing it over... 6 blocks up, 4 blocks over... to the wrong address. Because the "N" street sounds a lot like "M" street.

But it was a bit of good fortune, we stumbled across a motorcade... A large motorcade at that. Something like 6 SUVs, 3 15 passenger vans, about a dozen DC police, secret service scattered everywhere, and an ambulance... It was the ambulance that narrowed the field to two possibilities, and the fact that it was a Catholic church that sealed the odds.

But, we missed their exit.

So, we decided to track down the Manifest Hope Gallery -- thank god for internet access on mom's phone. A lot of our photos from today are from Manifest Hope, I was a little let down with the lack of photos from the DNC incarnation.

A great gallery, some incredible artwork, check out the photos.

So, then we went back, and got to see Biden and his whole clan -- remember, every sperm is sacred, every sperm is great...

Didn't really get great photos, was just super hyped to be 20 ft away.

Then, we hoofed it back to the Mall.

Seriously, we walked about 6 miles in total today.

About 80% of them were before the concert.

Then we stood for 3 hours in the same spot.

I don't mean to speak poorly of it, honestly it was incredibly well constructed. A huge mass of talent, mixed with perfect stagecraft, and some classic American songs. Mix in a million people, dancing and singing and laughing and clapping along, and it made for quite the spectacle.

But then, getting out... then getting lost in the city, then having the metro stations overflowing with lines stretching three blocks away... You know, made for a long end to a long day.

If you read carefully, you'll notice I didn't mention eating at all throughout our entire day... Which, was a really poor choice and critical oversight. Finally checked into the hotel, went next door, had some Red Lobster and all was well.

It's late, and we've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow.

So, till then, be well.

Cheers,
-Rys