A Quick Vacation, An Epic Reunion: Boston, Massachusetts

Wharf near Boston Aquarium

I had been counting down the days until my trip to Boston, MA for weeks. Not only would I finally have time off away from the grind lifestyle of nannying and lacrosse obligations, but also I would get to reunite with the kids I studied abroad with in New Zealand.

            I landed and met Mike in baggage claim. Mike lives in Colorado and was my flatmate in NZ, I had not seen him in 2.5 years. Jeff snagged us up and drove us to his apartment in Brighton. It had been about a year and a half since I had last seen Jeff when he came to visit me in Washington, DC. We stayed up until 3AM reminiscing, laughing, and probably annoying the shit out of his roommates. I realized how much I missed having such solid guy friends, who aren’t trying to impress or hit on me-just simply pure friendship.

6 Scarfies, One Room, Love Technology

         The following afternoon we walked around downtown a bit, and then picked up Kerry and Becky, coming from London, from the airport. I call them the 2/3 twins. They are triplets, but I’ve only met these two. Becky lived with Mike and I in New Zealand, and I also spent the beginning of my European adventure with her in the south of France (see French Riviera Blog). I’d met her sister for about 10 minutes in Australia (2.5 years ago), but I felt like I’ve known her forever. We spent the day walking around downtown Boston and Harvard University. Although we said we wouldn’t be drinking to save for the following St. Patrick’s Day, we ended up in a bar playing pool and drinking some brews. I think we played the slowest two games of pool in my life, but all good conversation. Back to Jeff’s for the night, and walking back from the corner store we found ourselves with a 30 rack in our hands. So much for saving up for the next day’s mayhem. Amongst the card games we had two computers open skyping other New Zealand friends: Sabine, Lauren, and Liam. Within the laughter I took a moment to appreciate how lucky it is to have people you can jump right back into friendships with, as if no time has passed.

Lined up for the Parade

           Sunday morning came earlier than desired. I rocked the orange, green, and white face paint and we took the hour train to the Southie Parade. Lined up for the bathroom at the gas station thinking we were smarter than most fast-food pissers. On the contrary, but I was impressed by the mass Boston police force hanging out at the gas station and snatched a photo with a Peter Griffin (Family Guy reference) look a like. Surprisingly, they were very nice officers…even pulling jokes on us. Before we found a sunny spot along the parade line, I met up with a friend from college who recently moved to Boston. Although a short encounter, it was nice to introduce our friends. The parade began, and it was a long procession of police and firemen . . . I was expecting floats and such, but the funny stuff came along later. The parade was a 4- hour affair, a jumble of pictures and Irish jigs across the middle of the parade. My Scottish 2/3 twins had a laugh at my attempt at Irish step dancing. We returned to Jeff’s place after dinner, coming down from the days escapades, and decided we should rally as is the University of Otago Scarfie Responsibility Code of Conduct.

Quincy Market

 The next day we walked around North Boston (the Italian District), Freedoms Trail (Paul Revere’s path during the American Revolution), visited Faneuil Hall (marketplace and site of independence speeches), ate at Quincy Market, and walked along the harbor side. The fact that we were walking, UK and US folk, around these revolutionary sites was rather comedic. We met my second cousins Julie and Lindsey, who live in Boston and Connecticut respectively, at a Mexican place near the harbor. I hadn’t seen them in a few years and it was great to chat about our families’ lives. We continued the night to The Speakeasy, which was a really cool setup. Before heading home we snatched some beautiful photos with the city skyline lit up reflecting on the waterway. I love cities on the water, even though Boston is freezing cold. It started snowing as we headed home. Although it had snowed earlier during my stay this one was a big storm about 9 inches. But 9 inches is nothing for Boston, the city was clean in the morning and my friend was off to work. That night I slept with my friends at a hotel near Jeff’s place, as not to impose for the rest of the week with 7 people in a 3 bedroom. We stayed up late and continued the Scarfie conduct, reminiscing and watching videos and photos of past experiences.

Margaritas with Cousins

            The next morning Gatorade and crisps helped, but we were all very silent at lunch with my one cousin Lindsey. I appreciated the chance to introduce blood family with New Zealand family. We crawled back into the bed at the hotel watching Louis CK comedy until my flight time. Mike was such a gentleman and walked me to the train with the wintry mix. We joked we might be in the wrong spot and then the train passed us. . .so we sprinted in the middle of the road to make the next stop, which was about 2 blocks. I much appreciated having someone look like an idiot with me. Hugs and love sent, and goodbye.

             Luckily, my plane was not delayed and I was off to Charleston, with a connection in Baltimore. I was so tired the whole journey since we had little sleep and too good times for 4 days straight. But as we passed over Charleston from the north side coming in above the Cooper River Bridge lit up in the night sky I was very happy to be home. 

       
 My short vacation to Boston was an incredible time. Not only was it my first time checking out the city, but I got to reunite with so many people that I love. I’ve decided since this trip that on the wild chance I ever become a millionaire, or win the lottery (which are realistically the same chances), I would like to get all my friends and family together from around the world at some magnificent spot. But for now, I’ll just make the effort to always reunite with the people I care about because you only make strong connections with certain people.