Why we should all be in DC for the inaugural even those w/o tickets, especially those w/o tickets

While its about witnessing history, it is also about making history and more importantly history.

I have had the pleasure of attending Obama's announcement speech, Tom Harkin's Steak Fry, his victory celebration in Des Moines the night of the 1st caucus, his acceptance speech in Denver and victory night in Grant Park.

I consider myself to be a "mid-sider*"(a phrase I just created see below for my definition ;)), and I have had the pleasure to experience this campaign events at various levels of access but I will tell you I have had the most fun when I attended events as a regular person waiting in line and standing very far away. I think any DUer who can get tickets to the swearing in and/or inaugural balls should, but those who can't will not regret standing in line, watching on a jumbotron, watching from a local DC bar, etc. Anyone who was in Grant Park will tell you it was not about getting close, it was about being there. My parents watched the speech on a TV in hotel room overlooking Grant Park while listening to it live through an open window will tell you was just about being nearby, its something they will never forget.

I have rooms for me and my traveling party (including my 69 year old mom and 74 year old dad). At this point we don't know who is going to what, but we all know we just have to be there. There are reports that over 1 million folks will attend the festivities which will make this already historic event one for the ages. I hope I get tickets for something when I'm there, but my main motivation for going is doing my part in being a part of history.

*(not an insider or an outsider, a "mid-sider" is someone who has insider status sometimes and outsider status sometimes, basically a "mid-sider" has good connections but is far enough down on connection "depth-chart" that he or she is on the outside as much as on the inside)

Please check-in if you are going, just to be there.

I only go to D.C. to protest. I have a strong dislike of crowds, and war is about the only thing that can get me to put up with them.

You sound like you are his biggest fan. Either that or a stalker, but I doubt that.

I would love to go but doubt I can get away in January. Will be glued to the tube and this site for any piece of info.

volunteers and has a ton of friends who volunteer or are paid staffers.

but I'll probably be laid-off by then
and plan on attending the inauguration.
see you there?????

Flights are too expensive now and hard to come by at that. My daughter thinks we should drive and we can probably stay with a friend of hers in Silver Spring. It will really come down to the weather report through Ohio and PA -- it can be treacherous in January. If all looks like it will be clear for driving, we'll probably be there.

That's what I'm doing as then we don't have to worry about sudden snowstorms or the like.

in the Detroit suburbs goes to Chicago before it goes to DC and takes 24 hours. No thanks. There's one that leaves from Toledo, Ohio, which isn't too bad a drive from here, but it's all full. And the bus takes an inordinate amount of time as well. Believe me, I've checked all the options.

Now it sounds like we may not even be able to stay with my daughter's friend, so we might be out of luck in that department, too.

Probably staying in either Delaware or Virginia and driving in... it will indeed be history!

I already got my hotel room.

BTW, the MARC train (Maryland light rail) goes out all the way to Perryville in the Northeast and someplace in Eastern West Virginia. You really don't want to be driving in that day since everyone else will be driving in that day. I would suggest finding something along the MARC route and taking the train in that day. It'll drop you off at Union Station

http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/marc/serviceInformation/Schedules_and_System_%20Maps.cfm

Charlottesville is a little too far... I was considering taking the Metroliner from Wilmington perhaps.

not North Carolina

I live close enough to be able to make into DC without much a thought. I wanted to take the train from BWI but they're all sold out so I'll probably end up on the bus but I'll be there.

or stay with friends that is another option.

I was helping wolverinedg find a place and honestly, I was looking in Richmond and West Virginia.

DC is packed, Baltimore is sold out. Craig's List is teaming with people who will give anything for floor space.

:)

dg

Not going to make you suffer that much

You know you can squeeze in 5 if someone sleeps in the tub. ;) Man, I feel like I'm in college again! :woohoo:

dg

(although a rapidly shrinking option) is Richmond VA & the 3 am Greyhound. All trains to DC are booked in every direction, & pretty soon the buses will be too.

You can always wear your Obama gear to the Museum of the Confederacy. :evilgrin:

dg

Even in June I found a decent room hard to find. But I managed to find something not too far from the Capital. Tickets...well I'm on the list with my Republican Congressman. All I can do is hope... but I'll be there, tickets or no tickets.

I don't even care if I get to see the motorcade. I just want to be in the sea of people, all celebrating like me.

But my job is due to end in a couple months (laying off 3800 people here due to Ike), and I can't spend the money unless I know I have a paycheck lined up. I want to go SO BADLY. *fingers crossed*

and I also hope you make it!

About once a week I call and confirm I still have the reservations. A friend said I should put the room on Ebay - I could make thousands for someone who wants to take over my reservation but honestly - this is history and I so want to be there.

BTW, got my room a month before the election and no, I don't have tickets for anything yet - just want to be there.

Looking for space for a DU gathering.

Me and Hubby managed to snag a room the day after the election for 2 nights in DC. A mile away from the metro...

We have sent in email requests to our representatives for tickets... We'll see how that goes, can't ask Saxby since we don't know if he will be part of the 111th! :rofl:

Whether or not we get tickets, we WILL be there. Driving up from Atlanta, meeting friends from California, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Virgina -- so far!

I'm taking a group bus trip and we will be staying in Towson. Got a good price, don't have to worry about driving, but its an hour drive into DC. That's the only downside.

In NC there are a few bus packages to DC. A co-worker's church is taking a day trip for only $65.00.

Tickets or no tickets I'm gonna be there---as is the majority of my coworkers in my department!. And oh yeah, trying to host a party for some of my out of town DU friends too!:)

an actual MILLION PERSON MARCH for an African American man in D.C. Wild.

:toast: Going with my brother and future sis-in-law, and even if we don't get tickets we don't care! But boy am I glad I booked the hotel early!

I have accommodations and all, it's just, I don't think I will get tickets and so it makes me wonder what exactly I'd be doing there.

Has never occurred to me to attend one for an actual elected president. That is just normal.

Maybe we should organize a celebration in NOLA again, with proceeds to help the city.

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... maybe I could aford to go. But I can't.