A while ago, we made a decision to take our kids out of school, sell our house, and travel the world. this decision was, in part, inspired by Barack Obama’s claim to be a “Global Citizen”. That’s what we want for our kids, and ourselves. So, it seemed only fitting that we start our quest for Global Citizenry by attending Obama’s inauguration as the 44th President of the United States of America.

Knowing that this was our plan, we booked our flight from the US to Santiago, Chile (the real beginning of Global adventures) to leave the day after the inauguration, and to leave from Washington DC. We did this on November 4th, 2008 - the day Obama was elected. We did this without knowing if we would, or even if we could get tickets to the inauguration; or if we would/could find a place to stay. We decided that if we could do neither, we would crash the inauguration, and sleep in the airport.

We had hopes that our friends and family who had connections would supply the tickets, and that our friend Craig (one of the assistants to the Secretary of Defense) would supply the place to stay. Neither was able to come through for us; so, we never got tickets, but, thanks to our friend Dave Anderson, we found a place to stay only one week before the inauguration (It was twenty five miles out of DC, but it was the closest available).

So, we set off for Washington on January 17th to join over two Million people in what our good friend Brad Bannon calls “The Vortex of Hope and Change”. We actually met Brad, and his lovely fiancé Carmen, in the Washington the night before the Inauguration for dinner and cocktails (They had great tickets by the way, and a place to stay in DC - I’m not jealous though... I was that night, but not afterwards; because with over two million people, it wasn’t where you were there, but that you were there that mattered.).

The energy was overwhelming, and the memories of being in the center of it all are everlasting. I believe that history will show this election was not just historical because Barack Obama is the first African-American to become President, but because he will be one of the greatest Presidents of all time. AND WE WERE THERE AT THE VERY BEGINNING!!!!

Actually, we were there before the beginning because we helped with his campaign, as well as worked for him and the Democratic Party on election day. Not just Buffy and I, but Taylor and Zach too.

Even though the crowds engulfed the city of DC so completely that it essentially shut down, and even though Zach and I were stuck in the city with two million other people for six hours after the inauguration because they closed the Metro due to “over crowding”; It was the best way to start our adventure we could have ever imagined!

The day was not just significant for us, by the way. As you will see as you visit our other sites, and Blogs, and follow us around the globe; the rest of the world is united in unwavering support of our new President. I am really proud to be an American right now. And so glad we don’t have to pretend we are from Canada to feel safe as we travel ( as many Americans have been doing for the past eight years).

To see pictures of our Inauguration Adventures click here: