Sunday, January 18
Hello All!,
Today is the 2nd day of my conference and today was an eventful day so sharing the same...
The day started with a 5:00am breakfast...can you believe it? 5:00am! Had to get up at 4:00am...with 4, 5 minute snoozes so got up at 4:20am. We headed to the University of Maryland for a talk hosted by General Colin L Powell which was awesome. He spoke about elections, his life and considerably on leadership. His speech on leadership was awesome with numerous examples in his life. For example, he spoke about how in Viertnam he commanded 2 different Commanders, one used to always go in aggressively when given a task and another used to ask a ton of questions and then proceed. Both finally achieved their assignment, but as a leader he spoke about how he handled both, cause the aggressive guy should have asked some questions and the more cautious guy should have asked fewer questions, both were great in their job, but style of working was different and how he learned to handle them both.
He also spoke about being a follower. He has served under 4 presidents and how he worked under all 4 and how different were their working styles.
Later in the morning, we had a session with James Carville (Democratic Strategist and CNN Political Contributor) and Mary Matalin (Republican Strategist and former Presidential Advisor)
Now in the USA both these people are extremely popular in the political discussions arena, both are strategists for their respective parties, one a hardcore Democrat, the other...a hardcore Republican
And the best part...they both are married to each other! It was an interesting session with each other bashing the other and both discussing political strategies.
We had other sessions with prominent guys but not as interesting so will skip that.
Now...the kick off to the Inaugural Celebrations at the Lincoln Memorial with Barrack Obama, Bruce Springsteen, Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, U2 and a lot more! These were the ones I could remember
We headed out real early around afternoon and yet could not get a front spot. Really crowded...thousands and I mean THOUSANDS were there. I luckily got a decent spot as I went in early and Lincoln Memorial was right in front of me and Washington Monument behind me. For the photograph crazy I clicked 3 pics but as you will see, you can't see anything...too far.
To be honest, I just don't get it. You stand for hours in a crowded spot listening to music when you can't see the musicians and have to depend on giant screens. Yes, I saw Obama but he was like an ant in the distance and it's tiring standing all day.
So anyways later on Obama spoke and he is a great speaker and listening to him live makes you understand how he got votes.
For more details on this event, visit http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/18/obama.sunday/index.html it also has a pic of the crazy crowd
Finally headed out and walked a couple of miles along the Washington area. A couple of miles is quite a bit. Don't have count but if you want to check Google Maps it was from Lincoln Memorial to Federal Triangle to Mayflower House. Thought I would walk to the hotel but got so tired finally took the Metro from there. Oh and also bought a day pass for January 20 for the Metro. First time I traveled in a Metro alone :)
Again, I don't think I am in a position to walk on inaugural day to the National Mall. It's too far. Weather was not a problem today as I put on 6 layers of clothing! So I was warm.
Oh people are actually waiting out midnight onwards (and I mean hundred thousand people literally). Oh and and all through the roads portable toilets have been lined up for people to relieve themselves...it's real funny have taken snaps.
I am planning to go in at 4:00am but need to find a big enough group as crazy (don't want to get lost)...again uncertain...cause the expected turnout is 2,000,000 and to be frank, today I really didn't enjoy the crowds. We were initially 3 guys and the crowd was huge. Getting in is the first part but getting out is even worse, so lets see how it goes.
So that's about it for today...dead tired. Bough some Root Beer from CVS...it's non-alcoholic (before somebody starts saying things)...2 litres for $1.49, cheaper than water (water was $2.49 for 2 liters). By the way you don't get Root Beer in India and I love it so always have it whenever in the USA.
And yesterday went to a Mexican joint called Chipotle (or something like that), had a Burrito was good and filling.
So that's me signing off for today!
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