Part II: Boston/Cambridge

Well, I suppose some musing on the city would be important. In the immortal words of L. B. Hammond (who wants me to call her L.B., or "Elby" as I shall put it) it's "hip." My small sample of the Boston area couldn't agree more. The place is hip. Like two long-lost lovers, Lydia and I met one cold evening on the Harvard bridge. Ok, it was probably as far as you can get from romance. But, any other two people: fireworks. From there, she took me on a whirlwind tour of Boston, or at least the few blocks beyond the Charles River. Considering I was tired and hungry (ok, when am I not?), I was fine with that. We had some deeeelicious Southeast Asian cuisine at a place called "Island Hopper." Our waiter, a young Asian man with a quasi-mullet, recognized Lydia. She admitted to having no life. We stuffed ourselves on amazing Crab Rangoon, General Gau's Chicken, and Mango Chicken. Where to now? To get some candy, obviously! "Sugar Heaven" was a fantastic little candy store, and it provided plenty of opportunities to take pictures. Chocolate Babies? Candy G-Strings? This place had it going on! We gorged ourselves some more and sang along to the Britney and Christina that they had piping overhead. We left, and walked around Newbury street, where all the "young swells" (as Elby put it) go. I don't think I've seen so many foreign cars before (and I've been to Germany!). Jaguar. BMW. Benz. Porsche. (Of course, the following day I would be equally surprised at the Harvard Faculty parking lot). It was getting late, so we called our non-romantic date a night.

The next morning, I took a very cold 40 minute walk from my hotel to Cambridge. I met Elby at the Au Bon Pain (which translates to" at the At the Good Bread." Much redundant much?). We walked around, and I couldn't believe that there was such a quaint, charming place. All of the shopfronts were so classy and precious! We had breakfast at La Creperie, a tiny place that was filled at the moment with a large group of students speaking Italian, and some very well-dressed young professorial types (I wanted the one man's charcoal three-button suit. Some day, Andrew... some day...). Crepes? Amaaaazing. Oh dear GOD! I had the "Extraordinaire" which is French for "sex for breakfast." Strawberries? Check. Bananas? Check. Nutella milk chocolate? Drool (Picture above). At this point, it bears noting that things are quite pricey. This was to be expected, I suppose. It's a big city, and Cambridge is filled with Harvard/M.I.T. types, so people should be able to afford it. At least, I'm sure that's the logic. All I know is I am going to have to set myself a budget, and try to live within my means. I don't know how much I'll actually be able to visit these wonderful establishments, but it's nice to know there's an option. This is also when I realized I need to befriend some Gatsby-esque character, except I need him not to go and die on me. Too soon?

Well, Cambridge and the Boston area that I saw was just my cup of tea. (Insert lame Boston Tea Party joke here). So much charm, so much character! I really can see myself living here, and I simply cannot wait until I return. With any luck, you'll be able to visit me. I know of two Starbucks' that we can go to. And if you do visit, we'll be sure to have some sex for breakfast.