Day 10: Boston to Cape Cod!

For those of you unaware, I do not have access to my computer at this time, so I will not be able to put up pictures until after I get it up and running! Yesterday Diana and I woke up fairly late, 8am, and after eating breakfast and having coffee we headed out to see the brass ducklings! So exciting! I don't know why but I think that was one of the best things about that park. There was even this huge swans nest blocked off from the public because apparantly people cannot restrain themselves and swans will kill any predators! After watching kids tumble around the duckling statues we headed back toward Diana's place.
Once there, we packed up a little and headed out to Harvard. It was beautiful, but I can totally tell that people go there primarily to say they went to Harvard - because the campus wasn't all that special. I did not feel smarter being there but I did pretend I was touring there as a soon to be student so that I didn't feel awkward about all the stares haha!! I thought we would stay longer but truth is, it wasn't nearly as interesting as I thought so once I could say that i've been to Harvard I was satisfied and we moseyed on back to the car to head home and pack for the Cape.
It took us over an hour to travel 12 miles once we got the cars loaded and ready to go. When we were finally moving it took us another hour to hit the cape. I missed the sign that said "Welcome to Cape Cod" and I was bummed but oh well! Again, just like everywhere else, it is gorgeous here. I swear so far nothing seems to be able to disappoint me on this trip. Driving down D&D's dirt road I had a chance to see all of the beautiful houses and quaint beach decor. Arriving at D&D's cottage I was squealing with excitement - they have the most HGTV looking cottage ever - it is seriously everything somebody would want. I keep resisting the urge to call it a cabin because obviously in Minnesota, anything on water is a cabin haha! Diana's nephew Sean came over and we all headed down to the ocean for him to dive on in - I thought he was nuts but apparently it wasn't so bad. While getting ready to go out to dinner my stomach was struck with the most aweful pain imagineable and when Diana took my temperature I had a fever of a 102.
Needless to say, I didn't get my blog done or go out to dinner but rather I ate soup, took a hot bath, and went to bed around 9:30. Today I am looking forward to experiencing all the cape has to offer!!!

Day 9: Freedom Tour and USS Constitution

 Let me start by venting. Money problems will be encountered during any roadtrip. Especially when you are waiting on other people. Everytime I look at my bank account I have a minor stroke. Now - on to how wonderful Boston is. Yesterday I woke up in the most comfortable pull out couch imaginable. Diana made me coffee and breakfast :) Thank you!!! We drove around Boston for a while before picking up Patty to head out on the freedom tour. After Diana dropped us off Patty and I walked around the commons for a while waiting for the tour to start. The Boston Commons are so gorgeous. There are statues all over the place marking famous people and giving tid bits into the history of the city. Today I am going back just to see the little brass ducklings and maybe to get on one of the swan boats! I am infatuated with this city. I am seriously considering applying to vet school out here!! I know I have probably said I love all three cities I have been to thus far but still - each one has something so wonderful to offer.
Anyway, our freedom tour guide was dressed in full 1800's gear and spoke with an accent. He was loud and funny, but of course I cannot for the life of me remember who he was in history. I got to see the graves of James Otis, one of the signers of the declaration of independence. I also saw Robert Paine, Samuel Adams, who were the brothers of Thomas Paine and John Adams. Then I saw John Hancock and Paul Revere!! After that we got to stand where the Boston Massacre took place and learned that their customs house is the oldest customs house in the United State.
Point is - I would totally recommend doing the Freedom Tour, through the Freedom Tour Organization, to anyone! Not only are you learning the history of the city but you're also walking all over Boston, so you get a good look at the city as whole too. Patty and I sat down for lunch at the Salty Dog and I had the most amazing fish, calamari, and scallop combo imagineable. Once we were finished there Diana met us and we went into Feneuil Hall to learn about all the stuff that took place there when it was first built and how much still happens there today. The guide told us about various different important people we learn about standing right where we were standing over 200 years ago.
I find this incredible!! I'm not really a history buff in the sense that I remember dates and crap but more so in the sense that I fully imagine myself standing where these people once were and imagine if they were still here and what it might have been like. Its crazy how long these buildings last. Anyway! Patty took Diana and I on a wild goose chase down the rest of the freedom trail looking for a tour that has been discontinued but we came to the USS Constitution - the oldest US commissioned war ship still afloat. The military still considers this boat part of their fleet and sailors get stationed there as part of their active duty listing.
 Our tour guide was ridiculously handsome but thats besides the point. He did an excellent job of relaying all of the information accurately. A navy captain was aboard the boat listening to him give his tour with all of us and I kind of felt bad for the guy because I would be so nervous! He did an awesome job and the captain would smile and nod throughout his presentation - clearly approving his tour. Anyway, we learned that the boat is 215 years old and got the nickname "old iron sides" when a young sailor stuck his head out of one of the gun holes and upon realizing that the cannonballs being fired at them had not penetrated the boat called out that "her sides are made of iron."
We also learned that the men had to drink a pint of "grog" a day. Grog is a mixture of whiskey, rum, lemon, lime, and was used to help ward off scurvy, the leading cause of death for men out to sea during that time period. During the Great Depression the president of the United States wanted to dismantle the boat and use the materials to make goods with.
When the American People objected the free masons and the shriners went around the country collecting donations to restore the boat. In three years they raised 935,000 dollars for the boat - during the great depression! The following three years the boat went on a tour of the US to thank the people for their help. Every year since then the boat has been on display for all to see as a thank you from the Navy and a reminder of our history. Once we got home Diana and I got all gussied up while Doug took Patty to the bus stop - we ended up going to the North End and eating at a place called Tesca. It was so delicious! I told D&D that I felt like a privleged daughter when I was out with them haha!! Today we are heading over to see the ducklings and Harvard before we go down to the Cape! :)

Day 8: Boston Baby!

It has been a loooong five days. It's been a long week in fact. But I am one lucky girl to be able to take part in such an amazing journey. This morning I left New York. I cannot explain how thankful I am to Megan and Lindsay for showing me such hospitality and a great time. I would not have had nearly as much fun without those girls. I loved the people I met, the wonderful culture present in that city, and the appreciation it made me have for greenery in this world! I look forward to visiting again during Christmas hopefully. I had so much fun at my little farewell breakfast with Danny and Lindsay this morning before setting out to Boston. The trip to Boston was short and sweet. I found out where Connecticut is located hahaha and that together with Boston they have the cheapest toll roads, thank God! I could not have taken another expensive road. Once in Boston I kept trying to find the city and it's like it doesn't exist!
This city is AMAZING, absolutely gorgeous. Even in the middle of the city it's like you're strolling through parks. I am totally in love with how quaint a huge city can truly be. Not only that but I LOVE the apartment D&D are in. Its got a wonderful bay window overlooking the park. After showering, doing laundry, and relaxing for a few Diana and I headed out to B & G restaurant. We had the most delicious deviled eggs my mouth has ever had the pleasure of consuming.
The flavor was magnificent, I can't place what the seasoning was - and on top was pieces of crab meat. I had blue cod with vegetables that was to die for and as a side we had parmesan mac and cheese. Richest mac and cheese I have ever tasted - and it was made with orzo! To top it off we had rubarb tart, not as tart as I would have liked but still delicious. Exhausted, Diana and I headed back and now I am so ready for sleep it is ridiculous! Until tomorrow when I do the freedom tour and go about other parts of Boston with Patty and Diana! So excited :)

Day 7: Last day in New York

Only a week in and I'm already a day behind on my blog! Yesterday was an easy going, very wet day. I headed over to hang out with Lindsay before she headed off to work. We ate at a little restaurant called Candle Cafe or something. It's a vegetarian place, so I was nervous. I got the paradise casserole which was comprised of sweet potatoes, black beans, and millet. Two of those are my absolute favorite so I gave it a chance - fricken delicious. I cannot explain the wonderfulness of that dish. The other items we ate weren't bad either but the tofu cheesecake will not be on my list of top 100 things to eat ever again, thats for sure. Besides the cheesecake, I would recommend trying a vegetarian restaurant. Lunch went late so I headed over to the Metropolitan Museum of Art alone while Lindsay went to do her duty as "lead server" hehe.
Now, i'm not a museum girl - but I tried. I strolled through the greek nude statues and a little bit of egyptian stuff. I even checked out the nude picture gallery; impressive but I wasn't ready for the history of porn portion, no matter how mild. No surprise, I ended up in the American wing staring at pictures of forests, civil war history, and camping pictures. While I am glad I got to the Met I have confirmed once again that museums just arent my thing.
Where I would have liked to spend more time was in Central Park.
 I passed by there on my way to the subway and it was beautiful but seeing as I was alone and it was raining I decided just to head over to Lindsay's workplace. There I sat for three hours, ordering appetizers and tea while chatting it up with the bartenders. Once Megan got off work she met me at the bar. From there we went and ate mexican food. For the second time in my life I was sorely disappointed by the prices and lack of burritos! Apparently nice mexican restaurants don't fancy tex mex - well I do! Either way, it was delicious. That night I did my third ever facial on Megan and I felt much more confident in my Mary Kay abilities - although I am still taking it slow. Last night in New York - very laid back, and successful. Sadly I do not have pictures right now, as I am not on my computer!! :)

Day 6: 9/11 Memorial

I've found it's easy to detach yourself emotionally from a situation. Maybe it's just me, but I can talk about the most horrific of circumstances, relay a whole scenario without tying any emotion to it. As most of you know I can also get ridiculously emotional over other situations but for the most part - I'm detached. Well yesterday started out with some blog posting and heading over to Lindseys apartment in a different part of Brooklyn. I took the subway all by myself to get there :) well - with the help of Megans beautifully written directions. We headed out, dropped off Lindsays laundry, and got some lunch. We headed over to the 9/11 memorial and when we arrive, we realized you had to have tickets in advance. Using her oh so smart phone we booked a tour and headed over to pick up our tickets at the 9/11 preview memorial. Walking in was difficult as it was packed. There were pictures and a timeline of events from that day. There were rewards and banners and memorabilia flanking the walls and in glass display cases all around the floor. Then a movie began playing with family and friends who had lost someone - I read, watched, listened - detached. As I looked around me I noticed others crying - and it totally hit me how real and how present those events are still for so many to this day.
 Lindsay and I walked out and headed over to the memorial, along the way I relayed all of these emotions to her and expressed how it felt watching those people and beginning to feel it myself. Once at the memorial we had to go through airport tight security - sending our bags thru scanners and having our tickets checked at least 6 times. When I thought that was over I stuffed mine in my purse and continued past yet another ticket checker who exclaimed that now I would have to stay with him all day - silly guy! Inside the walls [walls are up to keep out the construction stuff and random people for now] the grounds were amazing. I expected it to be so much smaller than it is. Each pool is huge with long cascading waterfalls and in the center the "void" as they call it almost sucks you in. From every side you cannot see to the bottom of the void - a void you cannot fill.

Leaning on the placks that flanked the sides of the pool I was running my hands over the names. While trying to figure out how the names are arranged I turned to Lindsay and it dawned on me that each of these names meant something very real to someone. Each and every name had a history and a sad ending for their family and it's truly mind boggling - although obvious. We later found out that the names were placed next to other names depending on where people were when they died and who the family requested them to be by. We walked over and took a picture of the freedom tree - we also found out that the freedom tree was reduced to an 8 foot stump where it was taken to a NY park and totally revived.
While it was in the park a storm completely uprooted it and they replanted it once again and it came back - now it's over 30 feet tall and thriving! After that we headed out to meet up with Linsdays friend Matty. We went through China town and stopped in Little Italy.
China town is rancid and horribly ugly while Little Italy is hilarious and fun. We met up with Lindsays gay Matty and had a blast taking pictures and wandering the streets. Megan later met up with us and we got to meet Danny, the guy Lindsay is seeing. We ate at "the best pizza place" in Little Italy - cannot remember the name for the life of me. After which we headed over to Cafe Palermo where I got a great picture with Baby John - the funniest guy I have met in New York. He even put an s on the end of a random word - just like what you think of guys in Little Italy to be. Except better.
Also - he made me two cannoli's one chocolate and one regular. They were absolutely delicious. I had never had a connoli before but WOW! They boast having the best cannolis on planet Earth and I completely agree :) Last day here is Today [tuesday] and I am looking forward to the rain filled afternoon with good friends and family!

Day 5: Blistered feet and St. Patricks Cathedral

I have been getting home so late and so exhausted that I have to write my posts a day late. Yesterday I woke up so well rested. I brewed some coffee, wrote my blog post, and hung out with Megan while we watched Sex and The City and Private Practice. So relaxing. I find it funny how easy it is to move from working 60+ hours a week with school to not having an obligation to speak of. I met Megsy's roommate Ciara [spelling?] and we decided to head out to the Brooklyn flea. Sadly, I was already completly dressed for church - and mass wasn't even until 5 hours later. So - wearing a red dress and high heels I walked the gravel grounds of the Brooklyn flea. I purchased a beautiful post card from August, 1920 and ate a delicious corn on the cob. While we sat at a picnic table down by the water the girls and I watched as these little kids used silly string to tag rocks haha!! Culture is a funny thing - we always sprayed it at each other and here were these kids using it to write initials and make pictures on objects as if it were spray paint!

 We finished up and headed out on the East River Ferry, taking it from Brooklyn to Midtown. By this point my feet were absolutely throbbing from pain so we decided to head over to payless for comfortable shoes. Along the way we stopped for drinks at these little carts people push around. After charming the man into a smile [gee whiz NY - lighten up!] I found myself staring at the cutest little old man known to man kind. I admired him from a distance for a good three blocks - completely thrilled with how he held his hands behind his back while he walked. gahhh!! I would like to mention that I greatly improved yesterday - I found myself not fearful of New York and actually appreciating it's various parks, abundance of people, and ridiculously exciting pace of life.

We decided that if I ever lived here I would become a dog walker or get a job in P.R. Maybe both? After purchasing a super cute pair of black wedges and an over the shoulder purse [my other ones strap snapped my first night here!] we headed over to St. Patricks Cathedral for evening mass. That place is gorgeous. Stunning even. The amount of detail put into every square inch is mind boggling. Construction took 20 years and the church is 135 years old. Pictures show it standing among other buildings barely tall enough to reach over the highest tree tops. Mass was short and sweet. The priest was interesting and tried to be funny but honestly was quite awkward. Not only that but the way he enunciated every word was almost hard to take - but really, his message was great and I would completely recommend going to a mass there to anyone! After mass we found ourselves in the lower east side visitng our good friend Lindsey! Sitting in a corner bar over drinks and sweet potato fries I found myself falling in love with this city.
 I also found myself talking to four New York EMT's with Megan outside about 20 minutes later. They had such thick accents and were so polite and wonderful - I had a blast hearing about their stories and what to do in New York. I never thought I would come to love a city but this one is captivating. I've been urged that I must return to Chicago because it's also amazing there - we'll see ;)
New York City is littered with various religions, cultures, languages, and accents - everywhere you turn you hear a new voice, a new language set apart from a person only ten feet away.You can go from glitz and glamour to sketchy and filthy in a matter of blocks and even there the people seem worth talking to. I have also found that, like most places, there's a lot under the surface, going on behind closed doors - it is these things that still scare me. I am so looking forward to spending today doing touristy things with Lindsey and finding out more about this fantastic city.

Day 4: From Amish country side - to Big City Brooklyn

How could I have failed to mention yesterday that I spent over 30 dollars on tolls - and I hadn't even made it to New York! Ughhh!! Anyway, I am sure I will have 30 more in tolls by the time I am out of New York. This morning I woke up to myself taking up the whole entire bed.

After eating breakfast I headed out to Amish country. The woman who pulled my car around handed me a brochure for “Intercourse, PA” – what kind of girl did she take me for? Ha! I headed down the road toward Lancaster County and decided I would make my way to the Amish house tour. When I got there it was in the middle of everything modern. Upon entering the house I was told that I could tour the 20 acre farm/house there or pay 20 bucks extra to be taken out to the Amish countryside. I opted to tour the 20 acre farm. I was so enamored with the animals that I totally missed the house tour but I got a great look into the kitchen. They still use intricate rug beaters, wood burning stoves, and meat houses to store their meat!! Not only that but they hang all of their clothes and they have milk houses for storing milk. The FDA made a law requiring milk houses to be properly refrigerated so many Amish farms have to have electricity in order to sell their milk.

There were all sorts of animals – including goats, chickens, pigs, roosters, donkey, sheep, and cows! There was one hilarious looking chicken that I swear was posing for the camera with his intricate plume of feathers cocked all the way forward. In the school house an Amish woman named Katie explained how the children learned. They are still subject to all of the same testing as non-Amish children but all of their lessons are tailored to the Amish way of life; their grammar books use a character named Spunky the Donkey ha! In addition they also have to learn German. They use a hymnal that dates back to the 1500’s and is the oldest hymnal still in use today, it’s written in German.  Once I left, my GPS took me on a back road to New York – about 1 mile down I saw Amish people with their horses hooked up to a plow. I squealed so loudly with excitement that I am pretty sure everyone thought I was nuts. I kept repeating “oh my god” over and over practically hyperventilating. It gets better – there was a horse tied to a one-man-buggy outside of a church!! They just mosey on in and park their horse and carriage!!

Needless to say I ended up doing a drive-by-picture of some Amish people and when they looked over at me I ducked. Coward ha! When leaving Pennsylvania I stopped at a gas station over-run by guidos and 40 year old snookis – one even sporting a hot pink polka dot bra under her stark-white-too-tight-tshirt. Listening once again to my book on tape, the drive to New York went fairly quickly. Along the way I noted that every other person owns a BMW and when you look at the people in the cars next to you, you tend to feel as though you should sit up straighter and pretend to be Gatsby.

Once I spotted the bridge going from Jersey to New York I got a burst of energy. I was taking pictures and videos – it’s so big! New York drivers are absolutely insane so I had to put on my Brooklyn pants and start cutting people off. While on the bridge I excitedly took a video of New York City, only it wasn’t New York City, it was some other city and New York was at least three times the size of that ha! After taking 30 minutes to travel 9 miles to Megan’s apartment I found myself staring down a street of garbage and gangsters standing in every door way.

Now, I am being extremely judgmental here but let’s be honest – I’m a skinny little white girl from Minnesota! I parked and Megan helped me hide everything visible inside of my car, including my atlas! She even made me hide my pretty little garbage can!! Ahhh!!! We grabbed my stuff and headed into her apartment, where a rasta man asked if we needed any help. Very nice guy. Megan’s apartment is ridiculously nice! The outside is so deceptive – she has granite countertops, stone-lined bathroom, colored backsplashes, and high ceilings. Beautiful!! I donned my purple dress and large white hat and we headed out to the subway. I bought an unlimited 7 day pass for 30 bucks and off we went to Manhattan.  Megan took me out on the highline where sadly, after one picture, my camera battery died. The highline is so beautiful – it’s an old railroad converted into a pedestrian walking path complete with large lawns to stop and picnic or rest on, huge bundles of flowers and gardens all along the way, and wonderful views of New York. We even saw where someone had put a fake naked man in his window waving at everyone – scared the crap out of me! Next we headed out to eat. We tried three different places, all of which were closed – oddly.

We finally found a little French place and we sat outside to eat. Megan had the most delicious smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich! Afterward we walked around the bustling streets in search of nothing. I kept commenting on how much money people had – shallow maybe – but for some reason when I think New York I think Sex and The City. Inaccurate as it may be I walk around as if I’m Sarah Jessica Parker sporting Jimmy Choos and some wacky designer outfit. We finally made our way to a little bar and sat for a drink. Me, a Shirley temple of course, Megan a whiskey and honey – it tasted good on my lips but not once I took a sip ick! After the bar we headed down to a place called Crocodile Lounge where you get a free pizza with every drink purchase. YEAH! FREE PIZZA!! Megan and I hung out while waiting for her cousin.

During that time we played ski ball and buck hunter – two rounds of competitive hunting later her cousin and his friends showed up! We played yet another round of buck hunter and then got our pizza and headed out. At the next place – called Bar None – we danced our butts off with all of Megan’s friends and her cousin Ben’s friends. Two black girls were taking videos of their friend Rachel – I assumed it was because of her white girl dance but Ben told us that Rachel was on the last season of the bachelor. I didn’t watch that season but she made it to the top 6 apparently. Really nice girl! Also, Megan and Bens other friend owns a studio in New York where 50 cent just shot his newest music video. I feel like everyone in this city is famous for some reason ha!
At about 1am Megan and I went out in search of a cab. Hailing a cab in this damn city is near impossible. When we finally got one we couldn’t get the door open and the guy just sped away! DANGEROUS! The next guy laughed when we said we needed to get to Brooklyn and also sped off. Finally this nice man took us all the way to Brooklyn, after nearly killing us and violently honking at anyone who got in his way. New York. When we got home I showered up, turned on Megan’s roomies huge loud fan, and slept – like a baby!! From Amish country to New York City – exhale.