Former President Barack Obama has (very briefly) returned to the public eye in N.Y.C. on Friday, exiting a building on Fifth Avenue and entering his car before driving away. But not without a hearty reception.

A large crowd had gathered — and they welcomed him to the Big Apple with open arms (and loud cheers.)

( function() { var func = function() { var iframe_form = document.getElementById('wpcom-iframe-form-0ca4ab08319d83a7c7897e9463078acc-58b09c0df2580'); var iframe = document.getElementById('wpcom-iframe-0ca4ab08319d83a7c7897e9463078acc-58b09c0df2580'); if ( iframe_form && iframe ) { iframe_form.submit(); iframe.onload = function() { iframe.contentWindow.postMessage( { 'msg_type': 'poll_size', 'frame_id': 'wpcom-iframe-0ca4ab08319d83a7c7897e9463078acc-58b09c0df2580' }, window.location.protocol + '//wpcomwidgets.com' ); } } // Autosize iframe var funcSizeResponse = function( e ) { var origin = document.createElement( 'a' ); origin.href = e.origin; // Verify message origin if ( 'wpcomwidgets.com' !== origin.host ) return; // Verify message is in a format we expect if ( 'object' !== typeof e.data || undefined === e.data.msg_type ) return; switch ( e.data.msg_type ) { case 'poll_size:response': var iframe = document.getElementById( e.data._request.frame_id ); if ( iframe && '' === iframe.width ) iframe.width = '100%'; if ( iframe && '' === iframe.height ) iframe.height = parseInt( e.data.height ); return; default: return; } } if ( 'function' === typeof window.addEventListener ) { window.addEventListener( 'message', funcSizeResponse, false ); } else if ( 'function' === typeof window.attachEvent ) { window.attachEvent( 'onmessage', funcSizeResponse ); } } if (document.readyState === 'complete') { func.apply(); /* compat for infinite scroll */ } else if ( document.addEventListener ) { document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', func, false ); } else if ( document.attachEvent ) { document.attachEvent( 'onreadystatechange', func ); } } )();

Story continues

The previous POTUS was clearly still in relaxation mode, even if he left his backwards baseball cap at home. He wore no tie, and left his shirt unbuttoned at the top. He also carried a cup of Starbucks (ah, private citizen perks) and waved to the crowd.

Since leaving the White House, Obama has been enjoying some much-needed time off. He and Michelle Obama visited Palm Springs and the British Virgin Islands, where he kite surfed with billionaire mogul Richard Branson.



