Lost in Translation: Boston

Well as many of you know I am going to Boston. I am traveling with 2 other friends, Sam Weatherly and Heidi Elizondo. Here is a quick play by play of what has gone on from leaving Fresno to arriving at Gordon College; the site of the 'conference'.

San Jose Airport:
1. McDonalds in Santa Clara had curb-side pickup and catered breakfast, lunch and Dinner. Probably the nicest McDonalds we have been to.
2. On the bus from long-term parking to the San Jose Airport terminal there was a lady that asked about 5 times if this was the stop for Alaska Airlines. After the loud speaker in the bus told us where to go the lady asks, "I did not hear a word that said. Are you gonna drop me off here?"
3. Saw San Jose Earth Quakes at the Delta ticket counter. (Major League Soccer team for those who don't know)
4. As mentioned in prior post; stood 2 people behind Jerry Rice at the security checkpoint. No we did not talk to him, we were scared. But when we asked the guy at the counter if it was indeed Jerry Rice his response was; "Duh, he was only wearing his ring around his neck!" Side note: Sam bet me $2 that it was Jerry and I didn't believe her. She won.
5. While going through security checkpoint Heidi got yelled at because she put her computer, backpack, sandals and contents of her pockets in the same bin. Sam thought she was getting out like a bandit till the guy asked I need to inspect your bag for a blade. She had her athletic tape cutter from volleyball in her bag. He offered to return the cutter after removing the blade, but Sam responded in her disgust, "it's no use to me anymore, I don't play volleyball anymore" and walked away [of coarse in a non-snobish way].

I know you are thinking to yourself right now our trip could not get any better, but just keep reading!

Logan International Airport
1. Flight was hassle free, however Sam came down with something and slept pretty much the whole way! She didn't even eat her $8 sandwich she bought in Salt Lake City. In Sam's terms, "you know I am sick when I don't want to eat".
2. We have rental car reservation for AVIS. I call AVIS and they say that we can "take the Budget shuttle because AVIS is right next to it". This was bad information.
3. While on the Budget shuttle the driver, who was named Joe and had a wicked comb-over, asked where we were headed. I replied, "Winthrop". Joe Comb-over proceeded to give us step by step directions to Winthrop and none of us really listened because we were too tired and had directions already.
4. Joe Comb-over gave a ride to the AVIS station and we got the car and drove to Winthrop, got to our hotel and went to sleep.

Winthrop to Boston
1. When we woke up Heidi realized she had left all her make-up in Fresno, sitting on her bed. However, she did have her mascara & eyeliner in her purse.
2. Our first stop was a grocery store 'Shaws' in Winthrop to get some essentials: HEIDI - things she left @ home SAM - nasal unclogger (remember she got sick on the flight) MIKE - nothing (typical male who remembers everything!)
3. We then made the trip towards Boston. Went along the Atlantic Ocean where we got on the 1A South to the Rt. 145 to Mass Pike. When we went into the tunnel I said "hold your breath"; I didn't realize it was about 6 miles long. Don't worry we didn't hold our breath that long!
4. We finally made it into Boston and got off the Mass Pike in the financial district. We drove by the Hay Market, Feneuil Hall and countless other landmarks trying to find parking. We finally found parking in a garage.

Boston in a Day
1. We made it into Boston around 12 noon because we wanted to sleep in. That meant we had half a day to see Boston. We first had to make a stop at Kinko's to fax Heidi's drivers license to her fiance in California.
2. Next stop was Quincy Market. This is probably one of the things I remember most of the times I visited my sister in Boston not because of its historical value, but because it has one of the most amazing food courts. I'll get back to that in a second.
3. We went to the 'fake Cheers' gift shop and bought some souvenirs for people at home. My main focus was the food. We then went to get some food. HEIDI - Bowl of Clam Chowder SAM - Clam Chowder in a bread bowl MIKE - Kielbasa Sausage & Fries.
4. We then set off on the Freedom Trail:
--Paul Revere's House (to escape the 20 minutes of rain we got)
--North Church (Where the 2 lanterns were shown in the Steeple during Paul Revere's Ride
--Saint Steven's Church (Where Rose Kennedy's Funeral took place)
5. Stopped at Mike's Pastries in 'Little Italy' to get Canolis...mmmm....canolis.
6. Walked around trying to find the T station to ride to the South End to see the prudential building and Fenway Park.
7. We went to the Sky Walk at the Prudential Center on the 50th floor. While on the audio tour Heidi happens to leave cell phone doesn't realize till we are on the T going to Fenway Park.
8. Didn't realize the Fenway stop on the T does not exactly drop you off at Fenway Park. It was about a 5 block walk.
9. We made it to Fenway and first went to the team store on Yawkey Way to buy some tourist essentials. SAM - A Boston Red Sox pint glass for her boyfriend "OF COARSE its $20", she said, when told the price by the unassuming employee HEIDI - Red Sox hat for her fiance MIKE - Nothing
10. Walked around the park and took pictures. I had a moment where I was disappointed with Sam's boyfriend, Matt because she asked "what is the green monster?"
11. Wanted to go see the 'Original' Cheers. Had an idea where it was, but had no idea where to get on the T to get there. So we had legs and walked; it was a solid 15 blocks!
--Heidi decided to wear little Old Navy sandals and by this point she was hurtin'. But she was a trooper and we finally made it. The key was to keep talking because then we could not focus on how much further we had to walk. BTW it was about an hour walk from Fenway to Cheers.
12. Once at Cheers we sat down for a lovely pint of Sam Adam's Summer Blend, amazing buffalo wings and burgers.
13. We asked the waiter at Cheers the best way to get back to the Government Center was. He said it would be about a 10 minute walk and we just rolled our eyes at him and said OK.
14. We made it into the vicinity of our parking garage, but had not idea where exactly it was! We walked in the direction we thought it was with our big tourist map in had. Standing at a corner not really sure which direction we should go an older couple asked where we were heading. Our response, "to our car that is in a garage we don't really know where." We did know it was by a big post office. From that information the couple directed us right where we needed to go.
15. As we are walking to our car Heidi is feeling "injured." Sam and Mike are laughing!
16. We approach the car and I notice there is not window up on the drivers side door. I immediately looked on the ground for glass, but there was none. I then realized I had left the window open with my Ipod and backpack in clear sight. Nothing was gone. Thank you Bostonians for being nice!

Boston to Gordon College
1. Driving down Rt. 128 towards Wenham and I get a call. I look over at Heidi and say, "you're calling me" from the phone you lost. I answered and it was a lady from the Sky Walk that had found her phone. Once again, thank you Bostonians!
2. Heidi relieved, but still injured! Sam and Mike still laughing!
3. Made it to Gordon College and hanging out in the dorms as Sam asks, "Milanos anyone?"

So this is a quick (um detailed) recap of our trip so far. We have had a lot of fun seeing Boston together and have definitely had some good luck to boot! We will definitely keep you updated on the happenings in Boston!

Mike (Sam and Heidi)