The Presidential Inauguration was a magnificent experience.  From the pageantry and tradition of the ceremony, to the large and diverse crowd of over a million and a half people, it was an event so incredible that I'm still processing what I saw.  Nevertheless, the most stunning part of the experience was simply witnessing the cooperation and patience of the masses who had waited in never-ending lines, crowded onto busy trains, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder on the National Mall - most traveling from the early morning hours.  Observing this collective serenity from so many people who truly represented every demographic facet of our country was absolutely inspiring.  I believe it was this same positive spirit that was felt by all those who I came into contact with over my few days in Washington.  It was difficult to walk down the street and not hear chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!", or be greeted by "God Bless America".  It was a level of national pride or of American self-assurance that I never expected experience, but yet was grateful to witness.  At the end of our travels, myself and the family members I traveled with, agreed; politics aside, government aside, even old bounds of race and religion aside, if Americans of such a diverse background and circumstance can celebrate together in this type of unified and cooperative spirit, our nation's future is in great standing.