Let's talk about Boston...

Last weekend, me and some of my friends from school decided a random trip to Boston sounded like mighty fine idea, so we got us some $30 roundtrip bus tickets, hastily booked a hotel (quite an ordeal in itself, let me tell you), and prepared to head out Sunday morning to be back Monday night.

Of course, the trip began with all of us sprinting through Chinatown to catch the bus before it left us. It was bound to happen- I mean I am an Addison. But catch it we did, and to Boston we went.

I love this town. I went once before with my parents and got the tour from my cousin Haze, and this time I was able to pretty easily find my own way around, so I was pretty quickly thrust into leader position. After touring through downtown, the Boston Common, and Charles Street, we hopped a train to Cambridge and strolled through Harvard amidst OctoberFest in full swing. As delightful as OctoberFest looked, some people in the group were quite ready to find our hotel (which was in Somerville, suburb of Boston/Cambridge); Jake and I had managed to literally get no more than an hour of sleep the night before the trip. Finding the hotel, however, turned out to be easier said than done. I suppose you could blame me- I made the reservation, didn't have a working phone number, and had forgotten to print out a google map- but I was walking at a steady pace in what I was fairly certain was the right direction the entire time. After a few hours (during which time we got authentic Mexican food from people who barely spoke English and played on a delightful little children's playground), the rest of the group was beginning to doubt my leadership. Fearing mutiny, I agreed to walk back to Harvard and find a taxi to take us to the hotel. There was a small moment of snappiness due to the large amount of walking and stress over the unknown location of the hotel, but I would not have any of that! We were on an adventure, and adventures are meant to be enjoyed every minute. So we got desert, got a tour of a Harvard dorm from one of the girl's high school friend, and found ourselves a taxi. Away we went, and, sure as spring, I was heading in the right direction the entire time! I knew where I was going! They all agreed to give me a pat on the back for that one. At the hotel, the check-in lady decided to check ID and try to enforce the rule that no one under 21 can check into a hotel, even with a reservation. That was not happening. We were staying in that hotel. I had a talk with her, and she let me check in. There's not much that Southern charm and good old fashioned begging won't get you.

The next day we moseyed around Cambridge/Harvard for the morning, and I wondered why on Earth Harvard couldn't themselves a decent drama program so I could live in that fantastical place. Afterwards, we headed back into the city and finished off the grand tour with Quincy Market, Boston Harbor, and Little Italy. After that, it was time to head back toward the bus station, but not before introducing my friends to the wonderful game of Ninja. I enjoyed every minute of our trip to Boston, even when things were unsure and semi-out of control- I get that from my parents. That's one thing a six-month expedition will do for you. You learn to enjoy the life lived moment-to-moment, without plans... Happy-Go-Lucky, as I like to say.

Really, truly, honestly. Boston is my favorite city in the U.S. It's phenomenal. If you ever get a chance to visit (or better yet, live) there, do it. You will never find a more charming, clean, fun city anywhere. I love it so very much. Of course, I had some pretty great friends to make the experience all the more fun.