2009 pre-inauguration observations...

I am in Washington a day before one of the biggest events of our time, the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. A man who happens to be black. The mood in the city is palpable. Souvenirs including Obama mugs, scarfs and hats are available on street corners, much like before a football game in England. Parties and events have been raging for days. Even the Washington metro's travel tickets are emblazoned with Obama's photo. The passport queue in Dulles airport yesterday was 3 hours long - almost half the time it takes to fly from London to Washington! - because of the sheer number of people from around the world wanting to be a witness to the event. But maybe due more to the incompetancy of the airport authorities to manage the extra numbers...