For one, the metros are packed, as estimates state that DC's population has quadrupled for this period. Two million are expected Tuesday on the National Mall.
Yesterday was the Inaugural Concert at the Lincoln Memorial. Even getting on the metro out in Silver Spring, it was obvious how many more people were there than usual, and that impression only increased after getting downtown.
Everyone wants pictures with the guy.
I got there a few minutes before it was supposed to start, wading through crowds and eventually situating myself between the Washington Monument and WWII Memorial, within distant view of Lincoln across the Reflecting Pool. Also right near two Jumbotrons.
Crowds everywhere. I haven't seen any numbers about how many people may have been there, but I'll say lots (UPDATE: I'm seeing 500,000 as a number).
And a surprise! Both Obama and Biden were there with their families, and both gave short speeches. I count that as seeing him talk.
As for the show, it was surprisingly good. Highlights included the Boss and his gospel choir, Jamie Foxx's spot-on impersonation of Obama, Tom Hanks performing Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait", the Shakira/Usher/Stevie Wonder rendition of Stevie's "Higher Ground", the Cheryl Crow/Herbie Hancock/will.i.am take on Bob Marley's "One Love" with a little of Black Eyed Peas's "Where Is the Love?" thrown in, a wizened and energetic 98 year-old (and still avowed small-c communist) Pete Seeger leading everyone in "This Land Is Your Land" (including the touchy verses usually omitted) and seeing Steve Carell, Jack Black, and Kal Penn having to act serious.
U2 was the only group (besides Stevie) that played their own songs. They played "City of Blinding Lights", which Obama used as one of his songs during the campaign, and "Pride (In the Name of Love)", which was written (obviously, now that it was pointed out to me) in honor of MLKII. During the music, Bono took some time to say what an honor it was for four little guys from Dublin to be playing for the president-elect.
During the latter song, Bono took a breath to point to similarities between different movements, with each iteration receiving a big cheer: "Not just an American dream -- also an Irish dream, a European dream, African dream, Israeli dream...and also a Palestinian dream. A state!" He took his time, especially catching his breath after Israel statement...I'd like to call it a hesitation, but I can't imagine he didn't know exactly what he was going to say ahead of time. Not that people should care much what Bono has to say, but I thought it was interesting and a little ballsy.
The show lasted for about two hours, which was just about enough for me. It wasn't as cold yesterday as it had been before, but I'm still glad that I was competently bundled.
The mass of people leaving was pretty staggering, but surprisingly just walking to Metro Center was enough to avoid most of the crowd. The metro was full, sure, but no worse than I had seen during rush hour.
The rest of the day consisted of football and eating. And that was that.
Laying low today, getting some work done, and craziness tomorrow.
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