Start of a Journey

We are completely EXHAUSTED! I certainly had no idea what over 12 hours on a bus would feel like. Surprisingly, the long ride only heightened our excitement over the events that will be taking place over the next few days. Of course, my pc went dead before we ever left Champaign (ruining my plans of watching DVDs and listening to music). Yet, by the afternoon none of that mattered. As we participated in bus-wide discussions on issues of race and overall social standards of society, hopped off the bus every chance we could to take photos and view the scenery, contributed to the video log of the trip, and generally enjoyed the company of those seated around us, I am happy that I had no distraction on the way here. Given the time to reflect on the social, political, and historic significance of having Barack Obama sworn in as president of the United States, the journey to Pennsylvania has primed me to absorb all I can from this experience. My grandchildren will one day want to hear the story of me witnessing the swearing in of not simply the first Black man elected to presidency, but the man who inspired millions and restored the sense of hope, pride and optimism which was once innate to American society. I want to see everything, hear everything, photograph as much as I can, and take with me the memory of the greatest moment in my nearly 22 years of life!
Tomorrow is the first event. Don’t worry; there will be plenty of pics! J