Inauguration: 360 degree view
To round out our coverage of President Barack Obama’s inauguration, GlobalPost correspondents in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas are hitting the streets to report on how the event is playing in their backyards and back alleys.
We’ll be posting these hits as they come in throughout the day from all corners.
The latest:
In at least one Kabul neighborhood, the electricity was on all night (for the first time since last summer), as residents watched the inauguration.
In Thailand, two very different inauguration viewing experiences: with a taxi driver and a group of expats.
Obama’s speech earned generally high marks in Geneva.
O’Malley’s pub in Brazil offers an Obamarama Ding Dong sandwich.
The view from the largest-circulation daily newspaper in Brazil, where many clustered around computers to watch the big event.
Canadians gathered to bask in the history being made south of the border.
In Brussels, residents celebrated the inauguration with an eye to the agenda ahead.
Parisian Democrats celebrated in the lavish city hall.
Our Czech Republic correspondent filed late, because Prague‘s inaugural ball went late!
In Gaza, residents understandably have more pressing concerns than the inauguration of an American president.
In Istanbul, Gaza is still the big story.
In Iraq, Tom Peter, embedded with U.S. troops in Diyala Province, says it’s business as usual, though with a management change.
Anyone can relate to Obama’s slip of the tongue while saying the oath, including this Pakistani man living in Saudi Arabia.
Young Moscovites wonder when America will elect its first gay president.
Josh Chin, our man in Beijing, has been drinking with the locals, and the happy expats.
On the outskirts of Silicon Valley, Tom Abate checks in with an ethnically-diverse group.
Berliners cheer as Bush’s helicopter takes off.
In Chicago, Obama’s hometown, the locals are drinking. Before noon. The new president is also inspiring Nigerian and Ghanaian immigrants to the Windy City. Young Republicans, too.
In Costa Rica, meanwhile, it was business as usual.
On the streets of Istanbul, any sign of Obama is hard to find.
In a Dublin pub, many Irish found a few minutes to forget their economic troubles, and wish "O’Bama" well.
In Jakarta, Obama’s former classmates and teachers gathered to wish "Barry" the best.
Ben Gilbert, in Beirut, learned why the new American president is like a fish.
Jean, bartender at Entresol in Kiev, explains how to make an "Obama."
In Bolivia, the inauguration sparks debate about the "empire."
Dakar is located between Kogelo and Washington, in geography and mood.
In most European countries, our correspondents report that the inauguration was big news. Many Polish television stations broadcast the inauguration live.
In London, the diverse crowd at LSE drank questionably cheap beer and cheered at Obama’s shout-out to non-believers during his inaugural address.
Venezuela, soon to vote on an amendment to scrap presidential term limits, sees challenges ahead.
A popular Ghana DJ celebrates that "a black man gets into the black house."
In Mexico, there are mixed reactions at a shoeshine stand, but a definite awareness of what is happening up north.
The only place where the happiness might rival that on the national mall: Kogelo, Kenya, where they have generators running outside of Senator Obama Primary School so that Obama’s family and others can watch the swearing in.
One South African winemaker knows what bubbly Obama will be drinking tonight — the same one Nelson Mandela drank in 1994.
The reaction in Harare, Zimbabwe? A distinct lack of hope in a place where the situation is bleak.
Kabul viewers tune in to see the new king.
Madrid reports bipartisan enthusiasm, for this day at least, as commentators hail the new president and note soured relations with the outgoing one.
In Harbin, China, one man points out that he doesn’t get to vote for his president.
An annoying acquaintance prompts Jason Overdorf to explain U.S. race politics while working out in Delhi.
One Brazilian who has heard of Obama admires his elegance in descending the stairs. Our corresondent Seth Kugel also reports from inside the newsroom of Brazil’s largest newspaper.
In Saudi Arabia, news of Obama did not make the front page and a scholar focused on the bottom line.
Some in Taipei, meanwhile, are making bets on what phrases Obama might utter in his speech later. The long odds, at 500 to 1? "Always bet on black."
In Beijing, there are fireworks. But not for Obama.
Manila got a severe case of the Twitters.
India, the land of contrasts, is keeping in character: In Bangalore, young Indians are gearing up for today’s Obama speech. But in Delhi, we found shrugs and this question: "Obama. Is he the guy after George Bush?"
Europe, though, is in a party mood, as Bill Dowell reports from Geneva.
In Bangkok, Thais look to their own "Obamamark."
In Seoul, some passersby hope Obama can turn the economy around.
As Hanoi wakes up thoughts are on Tet and the search for kumquats begins. And, now, plenty of indifference when it comes to Obama or "any other American president."
The day prior to the inauguration, a quiet New York City comes to grips with being out of the action.
Stay tuned.