The Inauguration

I watched the Inauguration last night in a hotel rooom here in Jordan with people from our Catholic Theological Union study program. (CNN is broadcast worldwide.) While there were a variety of political preferences in the group, any differences were left aside while watching the events of the day unfold on television. It was quite an event.

More interestingly, going to dinner afterwards (remember, we are eight hours ahead of you), EVERYONE was talking about the Inauguration and the new president. The hotel dining room didn't get crowded until after 8:00pm, shortly after the festivities on the Capitol steps in Washington concluded. Everyone staying here was watching it! A tour group from Egypt was at a table next to us and they wanted to keep talking about how we as Americans felt about the new president. They all seemed to be excited. Another group from Greece was in the dining area, and many of them engaged members of our group in a disucssion about the day and the new president.

Today (Wednesday), same thing. I overheard some German tourists in the elevtors talking about Obama. Our Jordanian driver and guide wanted to talk about the 44th President the entire 15 minute drive to Petra. An Italian couple walking next to a few of us at the site went on and on and on not about Obama, but about how beautiful they thought the ceremony was: the music, the poetry, the songs, the prayers. They thought it was absolutely marvelous. Everyone seemed happy, expectant, and pleased.

I guess the world was really watching.