Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Curiosity and Imagination

Bink and I watched Obama's inauguration today with about 125 people on the big-screen TV at Midtown Global Market, where Americans from around the world run shops and eateries--Somalia (special today: goat cutlets!), Mexico (earrings with saints on them!), Tibet ("Tintin in Tibet" T-shirts!), Sweden (caradmom chocolate truffles!)
The mood was sweet.
During the inauguration, people were smiling and wiping eyes and clapping here and there, but every single one of us broke into cheers and applause when Obama said:

And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity....

I looked around and there was a guy with a Palestinian scarf, a lesbian couple I know from way back with their little kids, behind us were a couple East African men, the Turkish woman who works the coffee counter was beaming, blonde office workers from the nearby medical center were clapping...
It was really good.

Afterward I said to Bink, "I really liked that Obama included 'curiosity' in his list of virtues."
She said, "I caught that too. And 'imagination,' too!"

An American president who extols curiosity and imagination...? It really is a new era.
On we go.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tintin in Tibet t-shirts?! I missed that!

But at least I got home in time to bake our election party desert! A good day to celebrate!

Fresca said...

I noticed them on my way out.
Someone's birthday is coming... : )

I have to say, I keep getting all teared up! What a day!

Jennifer said...

*grin* I jumped up at "curiosity" being a virtue as well! And that "we will restore science to its rightful place." And that Obama included non-believers in his list of creeds. All good things in a rather wonky speech--but he didn't really need to dwell on the historical import, as he embodies it with his existence, just standing there and taking the oath: "I, Barack Hussein Obama..." Wow.

momo said...

Yay!!!!

Fresca said...

Well, one will never go wrong siding with the nay-sayers, that's for sure.
But this time around, I'm with the folks dancing in the streets!