“Oh, you look so beautiful, tonight…”
The lyric to a U2 song and, indeed, the backdrop of sparkling Chicago skyscrapers is lovely to look at. And more impressive when between you and it are a million people going deleriously happy because their man won the presidency.
The Four Librarians Of The Apocalypse, a new group borne out of #glls2008, went down to Grant Park in Chicago along with a million other people. We saw the results come in, at first nervously and then with increasing cheer.
TV and radio crews were everywhere. I got interviewed by a radio station and um Fox news of some description.
At the end, McCain conceded (in a dignified fashion) and Obama arrived. He took to the stage in the next field and it was relayed to a now delerious million or so people onto giant screens:
As we left to try and work out how to beat a million people to the nearest taxi, the song was played that on the giant speakers around the park.
Anyway, despite the lack of adequate tea facilities in Grant Park, Chicago, a most enjoyable evening was had by all (perhaps a more accurate observation: 1 million people were giddy with happiness and excitement). Wednesday is a rest day when it’s time to say goodbye to some good friends; then I’m off on the Amtrak to follow the Mississippi to New Orleans, stopping off at Memphis to visit Graceland and Sun Records on the way.
Tags: glls2008
FFS you went to Obama’s rally in the park, now you’re away to see Elvis’s pad and New Orleans? The BBC wasted money sending Stephen Fry to America; they should have followed you around instead. Carlsberg don’t do awesome holidays but if they did…
I know that you are covering the election as a special correspondent for Am Paipear, but you also seem to be packing in some tremendous experiences.
I am beyond secretly jealous, and admit that the green-eyed monster is rampaging.
Is this what you call work?????? Can I get some?????
Glad you didn’t have to bail out of Chicago and could join the party. What a night!!!
John, it was wonderful to see you at GLLS and I hope you enjoyed every minute of being down in the joyous crush of Obama’s victory party! we watched on the telly for you and listened to the speech and wept with joy and relief! By the way, it is Grant Park not Graften! I wish you all the best on your continuing travels. Do enjoy yourself. We will miss you. Getting used to having you over here!
Kathryn
Kathryn: thanks. It wasn’t that crushed (we weren’t at the core), though there was one nervous moment when several thousand people suddenly stampeded towards one huge screen.
But we are/were the Four Librarians Of The Apocalypse, so it wasn’t really a problem.