We made it!

Yes we did!
This morning was an emotional moment watching our new president take oath. His speech was another very inspiring one and it filled me with joy, pride, confidence, and yes, tears. We can now finally look ahead and hope things fall into place sooner than later. It was a crazy year of politics and I'm glad it's over with. All the talking, debating, arguing and discussing were exhausting to me; and I was only here for the last few months of it all!

A year ago to the day I was in South Africa giving my thoughts about the possible outcome of the primaries to very curious locals. Interestingly enough most South Africans and Namibians we ran into throughout our journey thought Hillary would be a better candidate to the presidency and ultimately a better symbol of change.

During the same period Zimbabwe was gearing up for its general election. The people we met from there were all refugees who had fled the oppressive government of Robert Mugabe. Last year their country experienced the highest hyperinflation rise in the history of the world topping 100'000%. Yes, that's one hundred thousand percent! Just to illustrate the consequences, today thirty US dollars will buy you one hundred trillion Zimbabwean dollars (100'000'000'000)... If anyone is ready for change, it's the people of Zimbabwe. So the election took place and amidst high fears of corruption, Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition leader beat Mugabe at the polls. At last the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) had prevailed. My friends Anthony and his wife Celina, both from Zimbabwe and awaiting to see their five year-old daughter for the first time in two years were incredibly relieved to say the least. It was an emotional experience living through those days with them while awaiting the results.
But wait! T.I.A. (This Is Africa), and to cut the story short, as of today, after another bogus election last summer Mugabe is still in power and shows no sign of giving up what he believes is his "duty". Starving and brutalizing your own people? We obviously don't have the same concept of leadership.

So my point is... you might wonder. Well it's pretty clear. Today we celebrated the result of a fair and stable democratic process and I can only be thankful to be a part of it and have the privilege of living in a country where laws are upheld with respect and dignity. Even if the sight of Bush's helicopter disappearing in the sky over Washington was an image I could only dream of a few years ago, I know the guy (with all his flaws and mistakes) tried his best... in some way. What I'm saying is that even if the outcome of november's election wasn't what he favored, he handed power over with a smile and was willing to help with the transition because he respects the values by which our nation was founded.

Eight years of endless frustration, intense anger and unparalleled embarrassment have finally come to an end, thanks to a process that has been maintained by our leaders and the people for over two hundred years. I can only hope that the people of Zimbabwe and of all nations lead by oppressive regimes will once experience fairness and the satisfaction of believing in their government. This is a great day for Americans and for the rest of the world. Lets hope this new start can spark change in other places and trigger a dynamic movement of renewal around the globe.

As for Anthony and Celina, although they can't call Zimbabwe home anymore, they were reunited with their beautiful daughter Natasha a month after I left them in Cape Town. So when we lack hope, there's always love to fall back onto.

Cheers to Obama, Mr President!!!