Update: Spotted at Obama's Berlin speech

(click for larger image)

We have been scanning any image of Barack Obama's speech in Berlin that we run across in the press to see if we can find ourselves in the crowd of visitors that gathered at the Column to hear him speak. The best we have come across so far was a photo that showed my ear and S's hair. However, I just found an image that places me at the event and in the frame with Sen. Obama. Well, myself and about 5,000 other people but you CAN identify me in this one. Take a look...no over there...nope, a little lower...




Yes, I am right there >>>>>>


I'll have to admit I have kind of a strange expression on my face but it is hard to describe the emotions that I was feeling at that moment in time. First of all we have almost entirely given up on the American political system after the past two elections and have been avidly following this one since January, shortly after we moved to Germany. In fact following along with these elections and specifically this campaign has become how we are able to stay connected with America from thousands of miles away. Then, the opportunity to participate first-hand in this process presented itself unexpectedly and came to our doorstep here in Berlin. Literally, just on the other side of the Brandenburg Gates. And finally, we were sharing this experience with thousands of people from all over the world (which includes America) who came here to support Sen. Obama and a new direction for America.

This photograph was taken just seconds after I was crushed in a wave of people trying to reach Barack and shake his hand as he passed the gates in front of the stage. It was a perfect model of how a wave passes through water or sound passes through air demonstrated at a human scale. Thousands of bodies started to gather, then compress, then contract as he walked by. It is a moment that was entirely chaotic yet equally ordered by laws of natural forces. I had not attempted to fight for a handshake. This photo was taken at the moment I turned to the tall man next to me from Wales, with the Elvis hair, and he told me that he got to shake Barack's hand. So in turn I asked him if I could shake that hand. We did and I said 'thanks'.

This photo is from the portfolio of the Obama campaigns official photographer. There are hundreds of impressive photos (whether you like Obama or not) on her site documenting the campaign from "The Early Days" through the "General Election".

Click here for her website Scout Tufankjian.