Day One

Day one started with an 8:40 am flight to the Philly. Julie was non-reving but easily made the flight. At the gate we saw many other delegates from the RGV and Austin. See below.

After an uneventful flight, we were greeted at baggage claim by many friendly volunteers offering Tasty Kakes.

One thing nice about staying at the Airport Marriott we could walk over a sky bridge to the hotel.
Julie and I picked up our tickets to the evening party and our welcome bags from the TDP office. Some of the staffers seemed a bit worn out as they had travelled by van from Austin.

Julie, Carol (one of my roommates) and I headed off to the Barnes Foundation. If you ever go to Philadelphia, it is a must see. The impressionist collection is on par with the Musee D'Orsay, The museum is full of Matisse and Van Gogh.

While at the museum, I received a text that DWS had resigned. I shared the information with my friend Julie, who was quite startled and somewhat upset. Julie works for the APFA and knows DWS personally. I was relieved.

Carol and I at the Barnes Foundation

They shooed us out of the museum at the 5 pm closing.

After dinner, it was off to the DNC opening reception. We took an Uber from dinner and were greeted by Glen Maxey, Crystal Perkins and Manny Garcia.

Here's a group of Texans at the bottom of the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum.

The party was for multiple delegation and was quite nice.

The DNC has come up with some sort of game/app where you collect donkeys (each representing a state of territory) throughout the city of Philadelphia. This is the Guam donkey on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. They are probably trying to capitalize on the Pokemon Go craze. Well, not really interested in collecting donkeys, thank you. It isn't Pokemon Go by a long shot.

Leaving the party. The city looks beautiful in the background. One building had DNC in blue on the side.