My Trip to New England

Two weekends ago, I was in New England to see my cousin Liza graduate from high school and to congratulate my cousin Cristina on graduating college. It had been 5 years since I had last spent substantial time in the region, for Cristina's graduation from H.S.

My mom and I flew out and spent our first night and my cousin Megan's house. She and her husband Jason showed off my 2nd cousin Jillian, who is about 6 months old now. She was so cute that my camera couldn't handle it so all my pictures of us turned out blurry. Fortunately Megan got her camera to work. Jillian's hair is punk rock red and adorable. I'd love to see it stay that color forever.

After a night in Wolverham, CT, we went to East Longmeadow, MA. I spent 5 nights there before heading back home. Each day we had a little adventure.

On Saturday we went to New York City. Uncle Peter took us through all 5 Boroughs, in what was my first real trip in the Big Apple that Never Sleeps. It was great to get a geography lesson. I'll definitely understand movies and television set in NYC a little better now. We stopped by some homes where grandparents, and many other relatives I've never met used to live. We also met up with some of my mom's cousins in Staten Island and Brooklyn. I was really enjoying the trip, but I unfortunately caught some kind of bug that made me useless for about 10 hours. I got to have a little side trip to the Mount Vernon Hospital, which is not a sight anyone should see.

Some of the Manhattan Skyline

Italian Pastries from Alba's in Brooklyn. I puked up my delicious cannoli shortly after taking this pic.

On the second day, I recovered from being sick, while Liza graduated. That day wasn't so great for me because I had no appetite and felt weak all day. It was great that Liza graduated, but I can't believe I flew 3000 miles and missed it. Apparently I missed a windy graduation in which everyone's cap was flying off.

On the third day we hung around East Longmeadow and took it easy again.

On day four we went to Boston. This was my first trip to the city of Tea Parties and Red Sox. I was surprised at how compact and dense the city is. It's surface area is really small and there's a lot packed into the city. We parked our car and followed the freedom trail around the North End. It's a red line in the side-walk that highlights all the historical monuments in the city. We also saw the Fens, Fen Way, and Fenway Park. Fens is a British word for a naturey garden, and the famous stadium got its name from those.

Another interesting tid-bit I overheard had to do with the New England accent that gets under my skin like finger nails on a chalk board. Apparently all the original settlers in the area were from East Anglia in England, and the accent from that region was never truly lost. A National Park Ranger at Faneuil Hall said this, so I'll believe it until I hear otherwise.

North Church, where Lanterns signalled the British were Coming, and about to get their ass kicked.

Faneuil Hall, the meeting place for revolutionaries like Sam Adams. It is still used today for events and civic meetings.

Paul Revere's Home, right in the middle of the North End Neighbourhood

A 250 year old Elm Tree, under which George Washington gave a speech (tree not shown)

I think I liked Boston more than NYC, but I don't think I could see myself living in either. Both are loud and too dense for my liking.

On day five, we hiked up Mt. Tom for a view of the Connecticut River Valley. Then we went to Springfield, MA for an Italian lunch. I'm still agonising over my inability to chow down after my sickness a few days prior to this. I had no appetite at all but this didn't stop me from buying a lot of top notch pasta to bring home. We finished off that day with a big German meal at Student Prince to celebrate Liza's graduation.

Top of Mt. Tom.


And that was that. Aunt Darlene and Uncle Peter showed my mom and me a great time in New England. Cristina and Liza made the family proud by graduating with honors. Megan and Jason made the family a little cuter with Jillian.