OBAMAMANIA!
Nick Verreos and David Paul...and The Washington Monument
Sightseeing Monday---------------------------------------The day before the
Inaugural Swearing-In, David and I decided to do some sightseeing and check out the
National Mall and the
Washington and Lincoln Monuments. We also thought it would be good to get the "lay of the land", in the event we decided to venture out the next day to witness the actual Swearing-In. After surveying our map of DC, and putting on about 5 layers of clothing-- we walked out of our
One Washington Circle Hotel and began our trek to the
National Mall.
The hotel was very centrally located in the
Foggy Bottom area of DC, near
George Washington University, and it was about a 15-20 minute walk to the
Lincoln Memorial and the
National Mall area. We cut right through the University, in an area which reminded me of my days back in Westwood at UCLA, and made it to one end of the
National Mall. There were HUNDREDS of people there! We really did think
"Oh, no one will be sightseeing today and so it will be really easy...." NOT!!! Of course, being the day before the Inaugural and Martin Luther King Day, everyone and their Mom seemed also to decide that Monday was their "Sightseeing Day".
Click above for a video I filmed when we arrived at the Lincoln Memorial And click above for a brief video on the "frozen lake" at the National MallOnce we got to the
Lincoln Monument, it was closed for actual viewing so people were gathering at the foot of the immense building that houses the Lincoln Statue taking photos. All of a sudden, I noticed that there were throngs of people lining up and I suggested to David that we join in. Boy, are we glad we did.
They actually opened it up for just one hour and we happened to be part of the lucky group who was allowed to go up.
Nick and Lincoln: Nick Verreos stands in front of the Lincoln MonumentI felt almost solemn looking up at the immense statue of Lincoln, it was as if I was staring at the great Sphinx in Egypt! David and I posed for photos and as soon as we did that, scores of security began directing us to come back down and that the "tour" was over...I just felt that luck was on our side on this prodigious beginning to our "Sightseeing Day".
After walking down from the
Lincoln Memorial, we passed hundreds of
Port-a-Potties (officials say that there were 7,000 of them in preparations for Inaugural Tuesday) and walked beside the frozen lake (yep, it was that cold) and ended up at the opposite end, at the foot of the
Washington Monument. Afterward, we decided that there was only one place left in our "Sightseeing Day"
: The White House.
On the way there , we passed by my father's old "stomping grounds", the
State Department (my father was a
Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. State Department) so I had to take a photo in front of one of the buildings' entrances--hopefully he's smiling right now as he sees his son in that crazy winter "get-up"!
We approached the
White House area and once again, there were tons of people gathered in front of the gates that overlook it. Finally, we made it to the prime "photo" area, and got our White House Photo (see above). Interesting fact: The photo you see is of the back of The White House, not the front. Not many people realize this.
Tuesday January 20th, Obama Inaugural Day 2009--------
Bundled Up: Nick Verreos and David Paul, on Inauguration Day, in the National Mall, alongside 2 million other peopleThe day of the Inaugural came and both David and I decided the night before that we would go to the famous
National Mall and partake in history. After all, we were in Washington DC and this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Believe me, we had our concerns, mainly the weather (sub-freezing). In case you are wondering, I had no "VIP" tickets, since I was not part of Beyonce or P Diddy's "posse".
Even though my former
Project Runway mentor, Tim Gunn-- a native of DC--recommended to "Stay Home!" in a
recent PBS interview when speaking about being at the
Inaugural Swear-In, David and I still did it! Was it freezing? Yep. Where there a lot of people? Yep, 2 million estimated. The minute we got outside, there were many people making the same "pilgrimage" so we followed them. Camouflaged military were stationed on every DC corner, along with Military Hummer Trucks. Once we arrived, there were even "Obama Greeters"; volunteers in red "Obama caps" who welcomed us with a warm smile, saying "Welcome to the Inaugural..Have a Fabulous Day!". I kid you not.
Two Million Strong: The Crowd exiting the National MallWe walked and walked. The farthest we could go--until it was just impossible to get through the crowd--was right next to the
Washington Monument, very far away from the actual Capitol Building, but we did not care. Stationed near one of the many "Jumbo-trons", we watched the
Swearing In Ceremony for the next two hours, alongside all the other million+ crowd. I cannot state this enough:
It was an UNBELIEVABLE MOMENT.
After newly-sworn in
President Obama finished his speech, we all began making our way out, away from the Mall. But here's the problem:
There were over a million people trying to do the same! I couldn't believe what was happening before my eyes: The most orderly exit of a million people I could ever have imagined. No fights, no pushing, nothing. Later I heard that there was not even ONE ARREST. It was like people exiting the Superbowl--but without the alcohol, Thank God!
I love Tim Gunn, but I am glad I did not listen to his advice to stay home. Inaugural Tuesday 2009 was an unforgettable moment.
Click Below for a video I took once we got to our "Viewing Area" of the Swearing-In:
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha Cameron
First lady Michelle Obama wore a teal blue gown from the American design firm of Marchesa (designed by two Brits, including Project Runway All Stars Judge, Georgina Chapman, who was a guest--and is British of course). The gown is from the Marchesa Resort 2012 collection. The original gown features a draped and pleated off-the-shoulder top section and a "high-low" peplum train which for Mrs. Obama was removed (good call!). The shoulder draping was stitched down (Good Call Part Deux!).
The First Lady looked elegant and statuesque and I think it was great to expose her fabulous shoulders and great arms--and to wear her hair up as well! Although, I'm not 100% sold on the necklaces. I get what she was going for and I love chunky jewelry, but it was a bit overwhelming for that dress and distracted a bit from the beautiful neckline. But there is no denying that this gown was made-to-order and fitted on her to a "T". Notice the perfection of the back and that mini-train:
Finally, here's the British Prime Minister's wife Samantha Cameron and her State Dinner Fashion Statement:
She wore a royal-and-navy blue appliqued lace gown from British designer Alessandra Rich. The gown featured and thin belt accentuating her tiny waist and a neck tie. Both her and the U.S. First Lady complimented themselves in different shades of blue. And yes, kids, this was not by accident. This was all pre-arranged and pre-coordianted via their corresponding Social Secretaries, trust me. Lovely to see FASHION with a Capital "F" at the White House. Thank you ladies!
