I think everyone needs a little break from reality, even if they are living in the most fabulous city in the world. These past 2 weeks have been exactly what I needed.
I spent last weekend in Boston visiting one of my best friends. Besides the horrible Megabus trip (more on that later), I loved the city and exploring somewhere new on the east coast. Even though it was rainy the first day, we visited Harvard after a spontaneously terrible mile bike ride (I actually made it). After walking around and pretending to be students, we went to tour Fenway Park. Since we were a little early, we decided to get a drink to better haggle the Red Sox fans we were about to meet, and somehow found ourselves in an Ohio State bar in the middle of a private bachelor party. We tried to leave but couldn't turn down the free drinks they were offering us, so we sat in the middle of 50 guys in red watching a game we didn't care about. After a while I guess the game ended, and all the guys got into a big circle and forced us to join in while they sang the alma mater. Definitely the strangest bar experience I've ever had, but we were able to escape with our free drinks just in time for the tour. Even though the Red Sox are our enemies, their stadium is amazing and full of great baseball history. We got to view the stadium from every possible section and hear all about the history of the oldest stadium in the country. Our night got stranger when we went to dinner at Cheers and then out in Quincy Market, as we met some native Bostonians who prove that city is full of semi-weirdos.
I spent last weekend in Boston visiting one of my best friends. Besides the horrible Megabus trip (more on that later), I loved the city and exploring somewhere new on the east coast. Even though it was rainy the first day, we visited Harvard after a spontaneously terrible mile bike ride (I actually made it). After walking around and pretending to be students, we went to tour Fenway Park. Since we were a little early, we decided to get a drink to better haggle the Red Sox fans we were about to meet, and somehow found ourselves in an Ohio State bar in the middle of a private bachelor party. We tried to leave but couldn't turn down the free drinks they were offering us, so we sat in the middle of 50 guys in red watching a game we didn't care about. After a while I guess the game ended, and all the guys got into a big circle and forced us to join in while they sang the alma mater. Definitely the strangest bar experience I've ever had, but we were able to escape with our free drinks just in time for the tour. Even though the Red Sox are our enemies, their stadium is amazing and full of great baseball history. We got to view the stadium from every possible section and hear all about the history of the oldest stadium in the country. Our night got stranger when we went to dinner at Cheers and then out in Quincy Market, as we met some native Bostonians who prove that city is full of semi-weirdos.
The next day was beautiful so we did the Freedom Trail, where you follow a red line all around the city to see the historical places. I love that the city is so full of American history, seeing Paul Revere's house, the Boston Massacre graveyard, and the first ever school house. My favorite part of the city was Newberry Street, which is like the 5th avenue of Boston. All of the designer stores look like chic apartments, and they even have a Georgetown Cupcakes, which was the perfect ending to an amazing weekend.
The Megabus back to New York was quite the opposite, however. The ride was proving to be much better than the ride there, which was characterized by stop and go traffic and nausea from the disgusting smell wafting from the bathroom. But the way back was peaceful, until we reached the city where our bus driver managed to slam into a cab, knocking it's front bumper completely off. I happened to be looking out the window at the time and witnessed the whole thing, including the driver getting out and leaving us stranded on the Upper West Side. After about 10 minutes, we got restless and attempted to escape, when our driver insisted we have to wait until he files the police report. But it's true that strength comes in numbers, because we were not about to wait 2 hours for a police report to be filed. We told the police, and as a group stormed the baggage area until someone found a key to unlock it. I'll never forget the camaraderie of my fellow passengers, as everyone helped each other get the bags down so we could escape once and for all. Luckily, where we were stopped was actually a closer cab ride to Astoria, so it all worked out. But I will think twice before ever taking a Megabus again...it'll be more like my 10th choice.
The Megabus back to New York was quite the opposite, however. The ride was proving to be much better than the ride there, which was characterized by stop and go traffic and nausea from the disgusting smell wafting from the bathroom. But the way back was peaceful, until we reached the city where our bus driver managed to slam into a cab, knocking it's front bumper completely off. I happened to be looking out the window at the time and witnessed the whole thing, including the driver getting out and leaving us stranded on the Upper West Side. After about 10 minutes, we got restless and attempted to escape, when our driver insisted we have to wait until he files the police report. But it's true that strength comes in numbers, because we were not about to wait 2 hours for a police report to be filed. We told the police, and as a group stormed the baggage area until someone found a key to unlock it. I'll never forget the camaraderie of my fellow passengers, as everyone helped each other get the bags down so we could escape once and for all. Luckily, where we were stopped was actually a closer cab ride to Astoria, so it all worked out. But I will think twice before ever taking a Megabus again...it'll be more like my 10th choice.
This week I had another best friend from home visit and got to take off a couple days of work to spend touring the city. We did my usual favorites: the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, the High Line, World Trade Center, etc. but it was really great having someone appreciate the Upper East Side as much as I do. Although it made me remember how much I loved living there, it was so nice to walk around 5th avenue again. The visit ended with an infamous night in the West Village, starting at my favorite place, the Caliente Cab, and ending with singing and dancing in the subway being "those" girls. We were glorified at a piano bar, getting a song dedicated to us and being told that we have "perfect teeth and beautiful hair".
It's definitely been 2 weeks I'll never forget, and the perfect escape for me to refocus on my life in NYC. I feel so refreshed and recharged--this city better watch out, Ms. Manhattan is back.
xoxo,
Ms. Manhattan
It's definitely been 2 weeks I'll never forget, and the perfect escape for me to refocus on my life in NYC. I feel so refreshed and recharged--this city better watch out, Ms. Manhattan is back.
xoxo,
Ms. Manhattan