No Wiggle Room at Metro Stations, Exodus Indoors

If you're claustrophobic, anywhere near a Metro Station early this morning and late this afternoon was a bad place to be.

But at the Capitol South stop this morning, transit and emergency officials put together a catchy song to keep people's moods up as their patience was tested. "Keep it moving, keep it moving, walk through the gates," which momentarily evolved to "Yes we can!" Have a look:

The worst of Metro Madness came after the Inauguration Ceremony, when everyone at once tried to push their way to the stations. Buses and barriers were planted in their way, as were emergency officials. Some remarked that while the morning commute went relatively smoothly, there seemed to be little plan as to getting people out of the National Mall area.

Thousands of people flocked to the L'Enfants Metro Station following the Inauguration Ceremony, only to be motioned away by cops and the National Guard. The station was closed, along with many others for some time after the event, according to one officer due to an investigation of the incident at the Chinatown Station.

The metro station closures forced me to stop in McDonald's to stay warm. There was standing-room only at this corner location near the Mall, as about 10 lines congregated and people were literally touching waiting to get to the counter. It took me an hour and 20 minutes to order 10 nuggets and fries. How's that for fast food?

Then, to stay indoors, I journeyed to a nearby CVS Pharmacy. Apparently many others had the same idea, and some people were even camped out in the aisles. I found a nice spot in the medicine aisle and took an hour nap. Why not?

Fortunately, after that, the metro stations were finally back up and running again. I took Federal Triangle Station back to my host's home in Landover Hills, Md.