DNC Southern Hospitality

DNC - Day 2

The city of Charlotte has been a fabulous host for this convention.  Every person I’ve met has extended the famous tradition of Southern hospitality, from the people at the hotel to the local volunteers staffing the events and venues answering a zillion questions from visitors.  Even the cab drivers, dealing with endless traffic and road closures, remain calm and friendly (unlike Boston cabbies!).  They love to show off their city and share some great Southern cookin’.  I haven’t been to a large-scale event with such great food across the board.

Yesterday was a fantastic experience, starting with watching the Bloomberg interview of Madeleine Albright (and getting a signed copy of her book!) and culminating with an energetic evening of speeches in the convention hall, anchored by President Bill Clinton.  Out on the street I saw so many famous faces – Soledad O’Brien, Tammy Duckworth, Kathleen Sebelius, and many others.  Being out on the street is an experience in itself.  The main convention events are held in the convention center and the evening event is in the arena.  All day long, though, there are lectures, forums, presentations and receptions all around the center of town.  On the main streets it feels like a festival with vendors and performers.  There are also delegate hideouts like the Google one where you can lounge in living room settings, charge your phone or ipad and be treated to coffee, candy, or chair massage. (see the photos)  At the Huffington Post Oasis they offer free massages, yoga classes and chef-prepared gourmet meals.

 I posted on Tuesday about the House United project, with half of a house built at the RNC and half at the DNC – with the whole house to be donated to a veteran in need.  I am including an aerial shot of the house pieced together.  I’ll try to get a street-level shot of it today.  What a great project!

On a decidedly light note, our own Stan Solomon (New Hampshire delegation guest), was featured on Jimmy Kimmel last night as the DNC Dancer of the Night. 

I'm off to the city center for the third and final day of the convention...