January 17 This is a document of my trip to Washington D.C. — by way of Fredericksburg, Va. — for the inauguration of Barack Obama. I took a bus ride with about 60 other New Orleanians from ages eight to 80. Time to write my piece of history.   

Day 1- January 18 This is my first day account of my inauguration trip! Yay! I’m typing on my iPhone because my laptop doesn’t have Internet. Anyway it was a long 20-hour bus trip from New Orleans. I’m staying in a nice, yet cold hotel room with my mother and her friend. As soon as we got there we turned on CNN to catch up on all the pre-inauguration activities. There was a concert held at the Lincoln memorial that we missed (bummer! Beyoncé was there!) but I’m watching a re-broadcast as I type away (with very cold fingers). This is beginning to  feel like an out-of-body experience, somewhat like the way I felt the night of November 4th when Obama was elected. I still can’t believe it because I never really thought it would happen. An African American president. Tomorrow when we board the bus for Martin Luther King Day activities, I will be more than happy to be an African American female who was able to witness a moment hundreds of people fought to see happen. It’s a dream come true, at least for me.  Until tomorrow, peace, love and sooooul,  Angie. 

Day 2 – January 19 MLK day- part one Bonjour! It is about 8:30 a.m. and we are set and ready to go to D.C.! I’m too excited – even though it is cold as I don’t know what outside lol. Anywho we are going to some Martin Luther King Day festivities in the national mall. Right now, I’m just excited. It is still an out-of-body experience. CNN was on the T.V. this morning and this is probably the only time I’ll watch CNN before noon. Pretty much EVERYONE is in D.C. right now. I’ll check back in later with some more updates!  Angie. 

Day 2 – January 19 – part two  Whoa! I finally get a break to write! So we are at the Hard Rock Café for lunch and we just returned from the Madame Tussaud’s Wax  Museum.

It was by far the most amazing museum I’ve ever been in! The figures were so real and I swear Will Smith checked me out a few times lol. I feel so happy being here. There is so much joy in the air and the air is cold! 

There are these stores about the size of a shop on Magazine Street where they sell nothing but Obama stuff. Shirts, hats, buttons, posters, anything you can think of – they have it. Back at the museum I took a picture next to Martin Luther King’s wax figure and it felt like I was with him. 

I could feel the excitement building from me and I imagined that he was feeling it too. I wish he were here to see this. I wish a lot of people were here to see this. But I know they are looking down on us saying: fabulous job. Well I’m about to eat so I’ll holla at ya lata!  Angie. 

More of day two- January 19 So we are on the bus back to Fredericksburg after a long day of D.C. As the hours wind down, my excitement grows more and more about tomorrow. I am just glowing proudly – because I’m proud of Obama for stepping out of the box and taking a chance. I’m proud of my country for believing in change. 

And finally I’m proud of myself because I was apart of a group, a generation that spoke up and came out and elected the best man for the job. Tomorrow his job begins and I will still believe in him and pray for him. 

We don’t have anything else planned for the day but I plan on watching Oprah as she broadcasts live from the Kennedy center. And Aretha Franklin is performing… I definitely have to see this.  Until next time… Angie.

The big day – January 20 After an hour long bus trip, a 15 minute walk, and after standing in line for 30 minutes we finally made it on a shuttle that will take us to the national mall. Lord, it is cold, but it’s definitely worth it. 

A woman that was on our bus said that she was here representing her ancestors – “the bones that came before her.” I think I am representing the ones to come. My children and my children’s children.  I am paving the way for them to know that when you put your civic duties to work, your vote counts. This was my first election voting and although the actual voting process was a headache, I did it with a smile because there was a time when my grandmother couldn’t vote. 

I’m doing this for them and for my children to be an example of someone who doesn’t take their freedom for granted and believes in a better tomorrow.  Ok I’m still trying to thaw out so I’ll write back later!    Angie.  

The big day part two – January 20 I’m typing directly from the mall very far away but able to see a screen. It is cold and crowded but it is an experience. Jimmy Carter just came across the screen and Michelle’s outfit…fabulous! I’ll let you know more when my fingers thaw!  Angie.  

The Big Day continued – January 20  “He is the first African American commander in chief,” said CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

Pretty much self explanatory. I’m back from the inauguration and have much to tell you. You may ask why it took me so long … 

Well since there were 2 million people in the national mall using cell phones, my service was gone as well as my iPhone battery. It was an interesting experience. 

First, it was astonishing and overwhelming to see the ocean of people gathered for one man, one great man. There were people there from all over the country and the world. 

When the ceremony finally started, there was a sense of joy floating in the air. There was a sense of togetherness and excitement and it was seen on the faces of every person there. 

I could only see the T.V. screen they put up and got some fly pictures of the first lady, who by the way looked sleek in her lemongrass 3 piece suit, the Obama girls (adorable! In their petticoats and ribbons) and of course, the man this day was all about, President Barack Obama. When I heard him take his oath, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind and the minds of his family. 

I wondered if he thought this day would come. I wondered if Mrs. Obama said to herself, “I married an amazing man.” I actually had to sit on the cold grass and reflect on the piece of history I had just witnessed. Although I couldn’t see him, I felt as if he were speaking directly to me.

In his speech he said something that struck my mind. Now, don’t quote me but he was talking to the countries who choose to resolve conflict with violence and he said, “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”    

That was a powerful statement that stayed with me. It showed me that sometimes you have to approach negative people with patience and let them know that when they are ready to work together with you, you will be there. 

After the final singing of the Star Spangled Banner, they played “Hail to the Chief.” And for the first time, I actually enjoyed that song. Hail to the chief. At last. Which by the way is the song Beyoncé sang when Barack and Michelle danced.  I never thought I would be in the same place with 2 million people for the same reason — to see history.