IAD Dulles Airport

Early morning DC metro riders trickle into the subway at about 7 a.m.

DC metro riders ascend and descend from the Death Star.

A metro rider waits for the next train while this one whizzes by.

The DC Metro Redline comes in at full speed.

Washington DC's hoi polloi wait for the light at the end of the tunnel.

Extensive architectural patterns lining the ceiling greet you as you rise up the escalator.

Posters and signs of inaugural festivities adorn the streets and subways. This one is sponsored by IKEA.

The DC subways are so magnificent they even have carpet inside. As a Chinese-American, I feel that the obligatory indoor shoe removal policy should be in full effect.

View from my cousin Andrew's balcony in the very ritzy Friendship Heights.

A DC student sits next to my luggage on her way to school.

DC metro passes are much better looking than the LA ones. They even have a famous basketball player on theirs.

Swearing-in ceremony press credential. Act like you know.