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Every four years, Washington shows it's a city that knows how to celebrate. That's because around inauguration time, the term "political party" takes on a different meaning. People come from across the country to take part in inaugural festivities, including Burga Santiago of California, who is visiting Washington for the first time. She and her daughters have donned full-length formal dresses, and they're ready to attend the first ball of the inauguration weekend. "You really feel like this is a seat of power," says Santiago, who enjoyed sightseeing in Washington ahead of the ball. "It's not just a seat of power for the United States, but it's a real global seat of power." But you don't have to be a power player to enjoy the city. Anyone can buy tickets to inaugural festivities such as the Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala, a celebration with a diverse crowd. Men in tuxedos and women in gowns and high-heeled shoes enjoy the live music, dancing, cocktails and plentiful appetizers in the grand International Hall of Flags at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, near the White House. "Oh my gosh! We've got ambassadors. We have the whole diplomatic corps. We have mayors from across the United States, everyday citizens, citizen diplomats," says Mae Ferguson, one of the organizers. "It's bringing people from all over the world together, which is what Sister Cities is all about." Among the guests is Nuno Brito, Portugal's ambassador to the United States. | 
