blog - gObama 2008
Nightbus from Boston to the Big Apple
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
(NYC, NY - 6.30 a.m. local time)
Obama is one hell of a speaker. I run out of memory because he ripped it. His speech was almost an hour. I didn't expect this. He paced himself careful and brought home point by point to the Boston crowds. It was amazing to see 5 politicians behind him and excited about every word and argument he would make. It is impossible not to be impressed by this man.
As I was falling asleep on the night bus to NYC, I got a sms from buddy Zach at 3 a.m. in the morning. Telling me that something is going on at Times Square with the Obama supporters on the morning show. So since I am sitting here 2 blocks from Times Square in a cafe, I will most def make my way down there and see what's up with the crowds there.
I feel well rested - ready to go. Although the bus driver was a crappy one and we had to return after 30 min, cause he forgot his jacket in Boston, I think I can tackle this day. But I most definitely want to get out of the city once the Giants parade (local football team which one champion ship) goes down here. They expect more then a million supporters and I am not into crowds...
As this trip comes to an end, I feel some of the energy and positivity of youngsters have rubbed off. I think it is important to see that there is such a broad support for such an important figure that is in the process of making history by transforming the country from bottom up. Cynics do not believe and say the young are out there for the party and will join the system just as the hippies later did. I have more optimistic take on this and the broad coalition of like minded supporters Obama has shows a demographic and ethnic paradigm shift that is in touch with the rest of the world.
Anyway, gotta go to times square now and see what's going down...
Times Square was a blast. All kinds of passionate voters were screaming their lungs out in front of TV cameras.
I ended up staying in Brooklyn with Suzane for breakfast. I liked the vibe and spent the whole afternoon there. Getting a fresh haircut and some goat curry on Flatbush Avenue. I met a Sudanese store owner on the corner who invited me to join him at his local school for the voting around 5 p.m.. We ended up chatting about life and politics - recognizing that we both have friends and family in common across the world. What a small planet - we are all global citizens inside the Diaspora.