Miss Caphat
I want it that way
so what's new in Broc-town?
Boston and round about?
- Thread starter bi0boy
- Start date
Miss Caphat
I want it that way
what did I tell ya? Warm and sunny a few days ago...tonight there was frost on my car. Hope you're enjoying Boston, I can't wait to hear how it went.
abe11825
Like to take a cement fix
Broketown is marvelous. Emergency vehicles a plenty lately. Dunno what's been going on and who's been shooting up places, but the sirens are going crazy the past few days.
What the fuck was with that frost Tuesday... seriously wasn't expecting that. Was in a restaurant and when I came out, it was freeeeezing and the car was starting to ice over.
Miss Caphat
I want it that way
yeah that was not nice (the frost) though for the first time in many years it actually feels like we had a nice long spring and summer, so the cold weather doesn't seem so unfair and early.
Sorry it's so crazy there. It's nice around here this time of year after all the tourists are gone, but I wish I had more time to enjoy it.
Sorry it's so crazy there. It's nice around here this time of year after all the tourists are gone, but I wish I had more time to enjoy it.
abe11825
Like to take a cement fix
I'd much rather some more days with some warm(er) weather, Miss Caphat. Like today, it was dreary, but quite warm this morning. You really must be glad the tourists are gone for at lest an hour of peace and quiet! How'd ya'll survive that hurricane back in late September / early October, btw (the one where it scared everyone in the state... I think that's when it was)?
@ Mhendo - come here, take our frost. How about a trade? Your heat for our cold?
@ Mhendo - come here, take our frost. How about a trade? Your heat for our cold?
Miss Caphat
I want it that way
ah, I remember that..well there was one that didn't happen at all, and then there was one that was just a tropical storm but really messed up my life because I was supposed to be running inter-state errands (a long story)
I'm back from Boston.
My arrival at Logan airport was shit. The passport officer (sonnofabitch) checked through my passport, saw my non-European name + brown skin, called over another official piece of shit to take me to an adjunct bit of the airport for questioning and searching. For 1.5 hours, I was questioned about why I was coming to Boston (for a f-ing conference on liver biology, FFS), how many siblings I have got, my mother and father's origins, where they grew up and worked, who do I know in the US, what are my opinions on Middle East politics etc fucking etc. I was so fucking pissed off, especially as the interrogator was called officer Jankowski, of Polish origin. I asked him about his origins just to drive the point home that he is also a foreigner in the USA. I asked him why they picked me. He replied that it was random. I told him that's not true as every other person being searched and questioned had brown to black skin. He just kept quiet when I pointed this out to him. Homeland security at this point made me feel extremely insecure.
Once in Boston, I went straight to my hostel- 40 Berkeley Street. It was nice enough, the breakfasts were typically American affairs. I did some sightseeing between conference stuff. Very nice Autumnal colours in the park. Interesting history (the oldest I've seen in the US). I enjoyed looking at all the gravestones in the different cemeteries. I came across a street market selling fresh fruits and meat which was nice as I was craving fruit, and they had lots!
Restaurant wise, Boston is bloody expensive. If one is not opting for fast food, then be prepared to pay USD30 and above per meal.
Whilst I was there, people were celebrating Halloween out and about. I was shocked how non-prudish these college kids were, dressed in belts + bikinis in the cold weather, considering the puritanical zeal that many Americans possess.
I was also shocked at Boston's size. Very small place.
Anyway, thank you Miss Caphat and others who gave me some pretty good advice!
Benzo
My arrival at Logan airport was shit. The passport officer (sonnofabitch) checked through my passport, saw my non-European name + brown skin, called over another official piece of shit to take me to an adjunct bit of the airport for questioning and searching. For 1.5 hours, I was questioned about why I was coming to Boston (for a f-ing conference on liver biology, FFS), how many siblings I have got, my mother and father's origins, where they grew up and worked, who do I know in the US, what are my opinions on Middle East politics etc fucking etc. I was so fucking pissed off, especially as the interrogator was called officer Jankowski, of Polish origin. I asked him about his origins just to drive the point home that he is also a foreigner in the USA. I asked him why they picked me. He replied that it was random. I told him that's not true as every other person being searched and questioned had brown to black skin. He just kept quiet when I pointed this out to him. Homeland security at this point made me feel extremely insecure.
Once in Boston, I went straight to my hostel- 40 Berkeley Street. It was nice enough, the breakfasts were typically American affairs. I did some sightseeing between conference stuff. Very nice Autumnal colours in the park. Interesting history (the oldest I've seen in the US). I enjoyed looking at all the gravestones in the different cemeteries. I came across a street market selling fresh fruits and meat which was nice as I was craving fruit, and they had lots!
Restaurant wise, Boston is bloody expensive. If one is not opting for fast food, then be prepared to pay USD30 and above per meal.
Whilst I was there, people were celebrating Halloween out and about. I was shocked how non-prudish these college kids were, dressed in belts + bikinis in the cold weather, considering the puritanical zeal that many Americans possess.
I was also shocked at Boston's size. Very small place.
Anyway, thank you Miss Caphat and others who gave me some pretty good advice!
Benzo
abe11825
Like to take a cement fix
@ Miss Caphat - re: Tropical storm that wasn't a storm... it was the one that shut down the state in fear that everything was going to get blown away, yet, I think the Cape and the Islands got some beach errosion and that's about it (I could stand corrected).
@ Benzo: Glad you're back home. Sorry Logan staff were complete fuckwits. They're more happy to ship us out to other countries than to welcome visitors (based on my own previous experience). Then again, Boston Customs warmly accepts most items shipped thru them, versus NY Customs is against it (again, experience - this one was based on relatives and importing wine/alcohol for personal consumption). There are leaves still on some trees, although after today's winter mix of snowy slush, rain and driving mad wind, I doubt there's much left in the air! Some of the gravestones are really interesting, for sure. Though, truth be told, the Salem walk thru is much better (if memory serves me right). That's the problem with some downtown eateries - the pricing. It's unfortunate, but that's how they lure you in... offer amazing sounding meals, make you start salivating, and by the end of the journey, you've spent half a pay cheque! Haha. The college kids are no means prudes. Having survived a Boston school, I can attest that these "kids" don't care! I had a couple of dorm mates that didn't mind the cold because they were from Vermont and Maine (both were guys). In ankle deep snow, the Vermont kid would wear shorty shorts, an A shirt (wife beater), flip flops and nothing else, and claim it's warm out. There were times we worried that one quick stride and he'd be nicked for indecent exposure on a school campus because the shorts were that tiny on him! And yes, he's straight. Hope this trip doesn't stop you from coming back...if you do, come in the summer months, so you can enjoy the beaches and seafood!
@ Benzo: Glad you're back home. Sorry Logan staff were complete fuckwits. They're more happy to ship us out to other countries than to welcome visitors (based on my own previous experience). Then again, Boston Customs warmly accepts most items shipped thru them, versus NY Customs is against it (again, experience - this one was based on relatives and importing wine/alcohol for personal consumption). There are leaves still on some trees, although after today's winter mix of snowy slush, rain and driving mad wind, I doubt there's much left in the air! Some of the gravestones are really interesting, for sure. Though, truth be told, the Salem walk thru is much better (if memory serves me right). That's the problem with some downtown eateries - the pricing. It's unfortunate, but that's how they lure you in... offer amazing sounding meals, make you start salivating, and by the end of the journey, you've spent half a pay cheque! Haha. The college kids are no means prudes. Having survived a Boston school, I can attest that these "kids" don't care! I had a couple of dorm mates that didn't mind the cold because they were from Vermont and Maine (both were guys). In ankle deep snow, the Vermont kid would wear shorty shorts, an A shirt (wife beater), flip flops and nothing else, and claim it's warm out. There were times we worried that one quick stride and he'd be nicked for indecent exposure on a school campus because the shorts were that tiny on him! And yes, he's straight. Hope this trip doesn't stop you from coming back...if you do, come in the summer months, so you can enjoy the beaches and seafood!
Miss Caphat
I want it that way
No problem, UkBenzo...and I'm sorry about your bad experience at Logan. As far as the high food prices, I'm a little surprised, but I can't say I've eaten out in the city proper in many years. In the surrounding towns, such as Brookline, Newton, Jamaica Plain, Cambridge, Somerville, etc, the restaurant choices are never-ending and prices are generally very reasonable.
Miss Caphat
I want it that way
what you're thinking of was the hurricane that supposedly was going to wreck the whole east coast, but ended, up here, with a whisper instead of a bang.
The storm that ruined my trip was a few weeks later and actually did some damage, knocking down tress, power lines, cutting off highway routes; where I was, anyway (in southern CT) and where I was headed (western Mass)
Mr Retro
Beware hedgehogs
Miss Caphat
I want it that way
thanks Mr Retro ! though looking back at that I feel like I left a ton of stuff out 
Boston Public Gardens (while doing a "duck tour" or "swan boat" ride or not)
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Union Oyster House (oldest restaurant in Boston)
Fenway Park
Newbury Street (long street of brownstones, boutiques, galleries & restaurants)
Chinatown
Theater District
canoeing or kayaking down the Charles River (there are rental places along the river - I personally think this would be a beautiful way to spend a day & see the city)
The Hatchshell for outdoor concerts
Boston Harbor Tours / cruises
I also hear that there's a lot going on in the "seaport" area these days but I haven't been
Boston Public Gardens (while doing a "duck tour" or "swan boat" ride or not)
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Union Oyster House (oldest restaurant in Boston)
Fenway Park
Newbury Street (long street of brownstones, boutiques, galleries & restaurants)
Chinatown
Theater District
canoeing or kayaking down the Charles River (there are rental places along the river - I personally think this would be a beautiful way to spend a day & see the city)
The Hatchshell for outdoor concerts
Boston Harbor Tours / cruises
I also hear that there's a lot going on in the "seaport" area these days but I haven't been
