Excitement at the national convention began as soon as I stepped off the plane. Instant bonding was common among the throngs of like-minded individuals who had come together with one goal in mind - before we even left the airport.

Adding to the camaraderie, hotel arrangements are made by the party so delegates from each state stay at the same hotel(s.) Small states share hotels. Does never-ending party come to mind for some reason?

Delegates are easy to spot because they wear a ton of mandatory badges around their necks (including photo ID) throughout the convention. You can’t get in anywhere in the convention or official areas without your badge.

All the townsfolk in the convention center city went out of their way to be nice to us - regardless of their party affiliation.

Delegates are bussed everywhere - to the convention center, to planned excursions and planned dinners and parties - and security is incredibly high. Tough looking security people go through the bus identifying everyone at least twice before it takes off.

The most unnerving check to me was when they used a mirror, which looks like a large version of the one the dentist uses in your mouth, to check for bombs under the bus. It had never occurred to me that someone might want to blow us up.

Once we minions arrived at the convention center, the whole goal was to get the excitement level high (after of course passing through more security.) Music, Las Vegas style lighting and fabulous speakers did the trick - we were already hyped.

But without a doubt the most exciting part for me was walking down the halls and passing so close to news makers that you could touch them. Some of them even acknowledged us. And no I didn’t run over and shake their hands, but I sure wanted to.

Parties, sighting seeing and did I mention parties…plus all he work that gets done day and night in the convention hall go on nearly 24-hours a day before the big night when the president elect is officially nominated and gives his big talk. Day attendance at the convention is sparse.

More to follow…

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