Barackostock
By Gary Joseph Cohen
25 Jan 2009
I won a ticket to the inauguration, or so I thought. I made my travel arrangements and found a place to stay in Alexandria, reconnecting with a good friend of mine from graduate school. Less than twelves hours before getting on the Chinatown bus from NYC to DC, I discover through a blog that my ticket is not a ticket, but a "commemorative invitation" printed in Brooklyn. Beautiful as it may be (ivory card stock, embossed lettering, raised gold seal), it wasn't going to get my foot in the door of a Starbucks within five miles of the event, let alone in the event itself. As my colleague put it, "It may not be an official ticket, but it's an official excuse to go." Sunday through Tuesday, I wandered the streets and monuments, meeting people from around the country and the world, and "witnessing history" as the saying goes.
When I returned to NYC, a student asked me what one word best described the Inaugural events. "Barackostock," I said. "It was The Festival of Free Hope," knowing full well hope isn't free... (To be continued)
5 responses
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Megan Green said (25 Jan 2009):
While it must have been such a major disappointment that the invitation was useless, it sounds like it was still exciting to be in DC for this. (I've got friends who did have tickets, stood in lines for hours, and finally got in to not see a thing.) Historic photos, great memories, wonderful photo essay.
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Winston D. Munnings gave props (25 Jan 2009):
Must have been quite a disappointment, Gary. But, at least you were there. I was too, and what an experience that was. Would not have missed it for all the tea in China.
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Gary Joseph Cohen said (25 Jan 2009):
I have to say, not having a ticket turned out to be very liberating. It allowed me to loosen my schedule and go with the flow more (which is more my modus operandi, any way). It was an incredible experience, and I'm humbled to have participated in it the way I did...
I really need to finish writing this essay! -
Lucy Lambriex gave props (26 Jan 2009):
Great series of photos!
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Michael Adams gave props (26 Jan 2009):
Wow. Looks like not having a ticket was a blessing! Great job with this informative series. I do like your new term!
