On the Mall.

It was about 8 when I got on the Mall proper.  The Mall was covered with speakers so you could hear the events going on from anywhere, but for some reason the jumbotrons were all set up on the Constitution side of the Mall so that is where I headed.  I wandered for a while trying to get the best spot so this is what I saw along the way.  Once I settled in to a spot I started talking to everyone around me.  In my little area was a  group from Howard, a couple from Germany, ladies from Memphis, couple from Illinois who were going to the Home State ball (hosted jointly by Illinois and Hawaii) that night.

The whole crowd was excited and happy.  We spent the time watching a replay of the Sunday concert and watching the squirrels freak out overhead.  They could only get around from tree to tree so we all would watch them climbing out from the very thin wiry end of one branch, then launch over the next trees tiny branches.  We would all hold our breaths then cheer when they made it.  Partly because we were happy for the squirrel and partly because no one would want a falling squirrel landing on you!

I did not see a single protester or negative emotion during the whole day except for on brief minute of the crowd doing the hockey chant - Na Na Na Na, hey hey hey, good bye- when Bush appeared on the jumbotron.