The service aboard my flight, Air Jamaica JM 0041 to Baltimore, was excellent. The plane, which I understand is usually filled with tourists, was almost full this time with Jamaicans, many on their way to the inauguration. It was the first sign that I was in for a very interesting journey.

Today, I decided to walk around the city to hear, see and feel the vibe of the people.

I noticed several things. First, as soon as I stepped outside and as far as I walked, there were Obama memorabilia everywhere! And they were not exactly cheap.

I walked to the Library of Congress, where I saw thousands lined up to pick up tickets to enter the venue on Tuesday - the big day. Most people waited for more than two hours in freezing temperatures.

At nightfall, I decided to survey the venue, so I walked to the Capitol, where Obama would be speaking. I walked across the National Mall, to the Washington Memorial, to the Lincoln Memorial and even to the White House. Everywhere I went, there was 'one whole heap' of police and civilians gearing up for Tuesday.

I decided to eat and entered a restaurant where you served yourself and then paid by the pound for what you took. I have never felt as horrible about putting more food in my plate than I could eat!

By the time my adventure was over and I decided to head home, all the roads were blocked off from vehicular traffic and so I had to take the Metro (train) back to the nearest point and walk home.

THE DAY IS HERE! I headed out at around 6 a.m., while it was still dark and absolutely freezing. The worst part was not even the cold, as much as the wind. I was so uncomfortable - my lips were chapped and burning, my nose was running like a faucet and my fingers were numb through my gloves.

I finally reached the National Mall after 7 a.m. and already, the place was packed. I made a mistake at this point, that I absolutely regret. My camera battery went dead and I decided to head out of the venue to by a new one. Very, very, bad mistake. I am sure that from the time I handed my camera to my friend and left, to the time I reached the store to buy the battery, to the time I re-entered the venue and found my friends, that I had walked over seven miles non-stop in the cold. I was just about ready to collapse.

There is not enough space to describe this day: the excitement, the discomfort, the overwhelming feeling of being caught up in history, the reflection and concern for my own country, the wide variety of people and emotions, the stringent security requirements and the constant talk of prosperity, hope and change.

The day ended as soon as the president passed by in his limousine. I immediately headed out of the cold.

Still in a celebratory mood, I attended a Caribbean ball at the Organisation of American States building, where I met some very powerful Jamaicans living in Washington. It is clear that members of the diaspora have much influence there.

My flight out of Baltimore was at 8:30 a.m. I fell asleep on the plane before it even left the runway! When I fell asleep, it was cold and outside was bleak and gray. When I woke up, the skies were blue; the clouds big, white and beautiful! It was so warm and welcoming! I was back in Jamaica!

andrew.wildes@gleanerjm.com