Arleen Goes To Washington

I've done all the reading and planning, and am now set for my big adventure, and I am doing OK.

1/18/17:
This post is being started three days before I depart for the Woman's March on Washington.  One person has told me that I am crazy, others have expressed their concern about such an endeavor at my age, and others just stare because words fail them.  They all have a point.

I have my thermals, I have my clear plastic tote, I have my hand and feet warmers and I have my pocket chair.  I am keeping an eye on the forecast in Washington and, so far, they are showing a clear day in the mid-50s.  I might not need the thermals. They are calling for some rain on inauguration day.  Tears from the heavens!

I am being told that this rally is not political, it is personal.  I can agree with that.

The night before:
There is some nervousness, but I am going to ignore it and let go of my fears.  My daughter, who is also going to march in her city of Santa Cruz, sent me a necklace with the peace sign on it.  She inspires me and she is proud of me, as are my other children. 

4:30 AM, Saturday
Up, dressed and almost out the door.  I was a little tired when I did my signs, and some letters went a little askew, but I only had two placards and figured nobody would really notice.  Besides, it fit my personality well.

Arrived at 5:05 where buses were to depart at 5:30 and found people already boarding. There was no room for my companion and I, but two other buses are supposed to arrive any minute.  The first two took off on time and we were to wait for ours that were expected any minute. This transportation was secured from another transportation company, and somehow things were not coordinated correctly and they did not show up for another 90 minutes.  That meant that we would not arrive until 10:30, which is after the rally is to begin.  200,000 to 300,000 were expected so getting there at that time, would put us at the disadvantage of getting close to anything.  However, we had our Metro cards and thought that if we took the train as soon as we arrived, we would get to see most of the rally.

Looking hopeful

We read on our phones that the crowd was surpassing what was predicted and there would be half a million people at the march  At about this time, the driver asked if anyone knew how to get there.  Apparently, he did not have GPS and this was not his regular route.  As I sunk in my seat near tears, an ambulance and fire engines whizzed by.  An accident had happened down the road but all I could think about was me and how this too was going to affect the trip.  We passed the cars and saw doctors working on some people on stretchers.  That brought me back to reality.  Getting to the rally seemed small in comparison to what was happening there and my heart went out to those poor people.

11:30 AM:

We arrive.  We cannot get on the Metro because it is too crowded and probably a two hour wait so we must walk the 2 1/2 to 3 miles.  No problem.  I am wearing very comfortable boots and I love to walk.  On the way, we meet the friendliest people, including those from the National Guard, who thank us for being there and wish us a great day.  The streets we walked were beautiful, with Victorian homes dotting both sides of the road.  Most of the homes displayed signs in honor of Martin Luther King.  They were inspiring and wonderful to see. 

We continued towards the capital and passed many funny, touching, and motivating signs.  Women's anatomy seemed to be the central theme and I enjoyed reading them.  I was stopped a few times and asked if someone could take a picture of the message that I was wearing.  I chose "dignity" and "human rights" as my topic.  An old woman talking about their vagina seemed a little inappropriate for me.  There were plenty of others who could do that subject more justice.   

Some signs that I liked:

There were many men there also in pink hats.  They were there to support their wives, sisters, mothers and daughters.  I wanted to thank them all.

A message that I saw a few times and was carried by various older women said, "I can't believe that after all these years, I am still protesting this s_ _ t".  How true and how sad.

There were people there of every ethnic background, every color, every religion and sexual orientation. There were babies and teenagers, the young and the old, and the disabled.  I saw quite a few people in wheelchairs and with canes.  Some brought tears to my eyes because you knew how important and hard it was for them to be there.

We never got to see the celebrities talk.  We never got to the mall where people were stuffed in like sardines. We only got to march for a few blocks before it was stopped because the crowd was too large for the streets.  However, none of that mattered.  I was there and experienced a wonderful, exciting and important day.  I was even interviewed by some ladies from an on-line site and the article was posted today.  I am not fond of the picture or the quote they chose (out of my 5 minute conversation), but, heck, someone wanted to listen to me and that is a blessing at my age.  On our long walk back to the bus, we came across local residents who put out tables and poured water and juice and offered apples and other treats to the weary visitors. Some people, I hear, were also invited into their homes to rest. Now that is hospitality!  They wished us well and thanked us for coming.  Washington is a beautiful place with beautiful citizens.

Most of the news today is very positive about our effort which was far more attended than anyone ever imagined.  The world marched also, as there were events in all seven continents, including Antarctica.  No matter our differences, what all of us humans have in common is the quest for human rights and to live in a safe, clean world with respect and dignity.  The work started Saturday, and it shall continue.