Inauguration of Barack Obama 2009!!!!!

A group of friends and I roadtripped up to D.C. to see the Inauguration. We saw the actual swearing in on a large screen right next to the Washington Monument. The rest is gravy. Enjoy.

Sunday concerts on the National Mall, Aedan looks over the crowd

We went ice skating Sunday night at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden ice skating rink

Later we went to Jumbo Slice, supposedly a legendary D.C. eatery, where the slices are jumbo. That's Zack.

Monday morning we went to Silver Diner in VA for brunch, where they had a special inauguration menu featuring the Obamalette and the Congressional Crunchy Shrimp Platter.

D.C. by night.

Tuesday morning, after navigating through the crowds, Ginette, Jesse and I find a spot by the Washington Monument with a nice view of a large TV screen.

This was our view doing a hail-Mary shot. During the swearing-in.

A very emotional response, cheering and tears all around.

We got through THIS crowd and eventually to a café to eat and warm up. Then we went to the movies.

We saw Frost Nixon, by the way. Really really great movie. Journalism people – a must-see. The next day, Wednesday, I went with Nicole into the city to the cafeteria in the National Museum of the American Indian. Delicious food based on what they would have eaten back in the day…before us, I guess. Took her to an interview, then we all left Alexandria about 7pm and arrived in Athens at 6am…..in time for my 11am class.

Really, as you can see, a fantastic and historic experience. Thank you Aedan, Ginette, Jesse, and Nicole for being awesome.

Wegel Christmas Card

It took a ridiculous number of shots to get normal expressions on both of our faces. And getting that cardinal to sing at the same time was an ordeal.

We started sending out a photo of us in front of the tree last year. Maybe this is a tradition that will die.

Adios, Argentina…I mean, Chau

I am preparing to say goodbye to the country that has been my amazing home for the past 3 months and the warm, divine, vibrant people that I have lived, worked and studied with here. This country has everything, Iguazú (AKA most beautiful waterfalls ever) in the North

Garganta del Diablo waterfall

and Patagonia (AKA galciers and penguins) in the South

Perito Moreno Glacier

I can’t believe that at the time I am feeling the most comfortable here, I have to leave.

Thank you to everyone that has been a part of my life here.

So, in a country that never says goodbye -

Chau, Argentina, hasta luego.

Iguazú

This weekend (tonight, actually) I’m going to Iguazú Falls in the north of Argentina, which are waterfalls that share a border with Brazil. They are supposed to be the most beautiful waterfalls in the whole world.

Check out the official site of the falls.

From the site -

This original cascade, has become the most impressive falls of the group, The Devil’s Throat. Eighty meters high, it is located on the principal river course. Depending on the water level, you can see anywhere between 160 a 260 falls, that on average flow at a rate of 1500 cubic meters of water per second.

It all looks absolutely incredible. I leave tonight at 7.40 by bus, which will take at the very least 15 hours. BUT it is a super cama bus, which means the seats recline into little beds of 180 degrees. Here’s the photo from the site where I bought the bus ticket, Via Bariloche.

Super Cama

Just by looking at this tiny green drawing I want to snooze. If you have ever gone long distances by bus, you know how amazing this is….or, hopefully, will be.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Tigre and San Isidro, Argentina

On Friday the 12th we went as a group to Tigre and San Isidro, which are towns about 28 km north of the city in the province of Buenos Aires. Supposedly San Isidro is rather affluent, and it looks it. They are both very chill towns near the river.

Jesse and some kumquats

Catedral de San Isidro