Crashing the Grad Party at Harvard. And: who's moving to Boston with me?!?
May 24th "Nice shirt, Bar Wars, why'd you get it though?" "I do Crossfit, the bar bell, you know?" "Ah, I thought bar like a bar" "Nah, I'm German, that kinda Bar Wars would be more of an Irish thing to do"
Crossfit, Harvard, and more Clam Chowder. This morning, I dropped in at Brick Boston and did some Crossfit. Funny thing though, you walk through those skyscraper canyons looking for the box and suddenly you see a set of stairs leading down into a bunker. In a city where everything goes up, you are going down. The only thing going up down there where wallballs. And bar bells. On my way back home, I took a short detour through Chinatown, which was mostly impressive because it was pretty dirty, something that felt strange in an otherwise rather clean city.
Then we had breakfast at "Stephanie's on Newbury", a great café, with an amazing breakfast list. And helpful staff; the waiter told us to take the bus to Harvard instead of taking the metro from Park Street, which would have meant a 45min trip. Off we went to Fenway Park where the Sox have their home stadium, but unfortunately it was a 10 quid entrance fee, which just wasn't worth it on a day where we had not much time anyway. So, back to Mass Ave and into bus no 1 and to Harvard we went, The Todster and I at least, me mum went somewhere...everywhere downtown.
In Harvard, we were a little surprised by the nice welcoming we got, banners and flags everywhere, marching music, pomp and circumstance. It was graduation day and everywhere were people hanging in black robes strewn across the deep green lawns in between the red brick buildings. A pity though that we could not enter Widener Library, but I finally went to an ivy league school (though there was surprisingly few ivy ranks to be seen). The Todster went on his way to MIT and I just crossed the street to get to The Harvard Bookstore. Where I lost about an hour. Used, discounted and just books from all type, kinds, and genres. And graphic novels. So, I went to The Harvard Bookstore and left with the Hawkeye-Comic-collection. I'm a nerd of several degrees. :D
The Harvard Bookstore tread loose a short shopping-trippy experience only to be stopped when I reached Boston Public Library. Where I got in. Oh, the smell of old books, dark wooden bookcases, and the green-shades brass lamps in the reading room. It was everything you've ever imagined a library to be. Plus, it had those amazingly creepy Christian and Freemason paintings and murals that were incredibly great. And books. So many books!
I left for Jack Wills on Newbury Street. Why do I tell you about my visit to the store of a British clothing brand I happen to love? Because! The store was located in an old brownstone and as usual with Jack Wills stores, the store had kept its interior like it was still a house. The furniture made it look more than a house than a store (well, almost) and I got a great impression of what a brownstone looks like from the inside. I want to move into one of those Back Bay brownstones btw. :D
After a short chat with the shop girl, I had to get back to Faneuil Hall to meet the rest of the crew for dinner. Clam chowder again. I could live off that stuff. I love it. I really do. The Todster bought a 5 quid Magnum (ice cream), which now serves as a measurement in how overpriced something is. Like the 7 dollar Espresso me mum got when she ordered a Latte Macchiato at our hotel bar. Almost a bargain, right?
May 25th
"Welcome to New York, it's been waiting for you"
The last day in Boston started with me running the Boston Harbour Walk. I'm glad I did not skip this, because the skyline was just incredible.
And there's something to be said about the great feeling you get where your heart is almost bursting with joy while you're running over a board walk at the Atlantic looking at the Boston skyline listening to Carrie Underwoods 'Some Hearts'
And there's something to be said about the great feeling you get where your heart is almost bursting with joy while you're running over a board walk at the Atlantic looking at the Boston skyline listening to Carrie Underwoods 'Some Hearts'
Some hearts just get lucky sometimes, yes indeed, I can't put into words how great that felt. Then the last time returning to our hotel through Boston Public and the last breakfast at Stephanie's where John, our waiter, did everything he could to make us feel good. Including goofy hot chocolate jokes.
Then we almost got escorted to the metro by our page boy, who was now - finally - pleased with the baseball hat I was wearing while the White Sox are safely stowed away in my suitcase. The lady at the reception told me that "no need to spoil that head with a Yankee's cap, keep the Pats hat on" and "yes, we people in Boston do take our sports teams real serious"
Now we're sitting in the Amtrak train to Penn Station in New York which takes us through the most amazing New England landscapes, the Atlantic on our left. Let's see how New York will be treating us.
A little while later:
I don't hate New York, but I don't feel it. People everywhere and cars everywhere in between. Everybody's noisy and busy and doing theit thing, nevermind other people. Times Square felt like too many people in a space too small. Like an open air clown car joke. Also, most of Manhattan smells of puss, smoke, sweat, and burnt food. We found a small organic food place that had great food (except for in my mum's opinion, wasn't her thing) and was just an oasis of quiet as there were only two other customers. From there we continued through Macy's (what a confusing place) to the Rockefeller Center, where we had a great view of New York at night. It looked amazing. Like a comic book at times, like Christmas lights in the woods at others. It felt a little better already.
May 26th: The Devil of Hell's Kitchen
Dropped in at Crossfit Hell's Kitchen this morning, at 6am. I thought getting up at 5 would be bad, but in a city already starting to get ready and put on its make up for the upcoming day, it's really easy. And...suddenly I felt New York. I loved the New York morning. And I love the Crossfit community. Having people to really talk to even though you've never met before was great and made me feel right at home. Anthony, the owner, overslept, but the talking during the wait made you feel the sense of community even more. And he was nice enough to still let me work out with them even though my original time slot was over. He was cool. My training partner Alex ruled, too. She pushed me where I needed a little shove and got me a new bench press PR.
Perfect morning. Now off for some sightseeing
A little while later:
I don't hate New York, but I don't feel it. People everywhere and cars everywhere in between. Everybody's noisy and busy and doing theit thing, nevermind other people. Times Square felt like too many people in a space too small. Like an open air clown car joke. Also, most of Manhattan smells of puss, smoke, sweat, and burnt food. We found a small organic food place that had great food (except for in my mum's opinion, wasn't her thing) and was just an oasis of quiet as there were only two other customers. From there we continued through Macy's (what a confusing place) to the Rockefeller Center, where we had a great view of New York at night. It looked amazing. Like a comic book at times, like Christmas lights in the woods at others. It felt a little better already.
May 26th: The Devil of Hell's Kitchen
Dropped in at Crossfit Hell's Kitchen this morning, at 6am. I thought getting up at 5 would be bad, but in a city already starting to get ready and put on its make up for the upcoming day, it's really easy. And...suddenly I felt New York. I loved the New York morning. And I love the Crossfit community. Having people to really talk to even though you've never met before was great and made me feel right at home. Anthony, the owner, overslept, but the talking during the wait made you feel the sense of community even more. And he was nice enough to still let me work out with them even though my original time slot was over. He was cool. My training partner Alex ruled, too. She pushed me where I needed a little shove and got me a new bench press PR.
Perfect morning. Now off for some sightseeing
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