Celebrating

Some people are in bars. Some at house parties. Hundreds of thousands are gathered in the streets, cheering.

In the lobby of the Turnverein, dancers take advantage of the cortinas to watch the election unfold. The small TV that sits behind the welcome desk is tuned to national coverage rather than the usual instructional videos.

It is my turn to work the desk when Mr. Obama goes over the top.

Cecile has been talking to the TV, urging voters not to disappoint the world. The organizer of the Turn is avoiding the area, looking disgruntled. When Mr. Obama goes over the 270 electoral college votes required to win the election, cheering erupts around the TV set.

Cecile makes a name tag that says in French "We won!" But people discourage her from wearing it into the ballroom. The entrance to the ballroom is a doorway into a different world. Politics stays in the lobby.

Congratulations to US.

Let's dance!