Today started bright and early. Well, to be honest, little was actually bright – this was four forty five in the morning, leaving from San Francisco for absolutely no reason except our own incompetence. Let me explain.
Since our 7:55am flight to Boston was out of SFO, we reserved a shuttle from Dina’s house, and I lugged all of my luggage on BART in the middle of the day yesterday so as to be ready in the morning. As Friday wound down and Dina checked our flight status, it became clear the our flight was not out of SFO but actually Oakland. A mistake like that is a great way to start our vacation. Luckily I managed to change our shuttle reservation to take us to OAK instead, only losing $15 extra and about 30 minutes of solid sleep. Arriving at Oakland airport at 615, at our gate by 630, we were left with a good hour and a half of little more than restless reverie.
Our early morning flight took us to Chicago Midway by midday, where we rolled off of our plane and into the terminal with nothing but animal crackers to eat. Luckily we found a nice sandwich shop in the B terminal called Taylor Market, where I ordered a delicious Grilled Turkey and Apple Panini sandwich – probably the most delicious airport food I’ve ever had. It’s never crossed my mind to throw a thin slice of apple into a melted concoction of Swiss and turkey, but from now on I’ll know better.
No longer hungry, we boarded the second leg of today’s trip and headed toward Boston. Exhausted but satisfied, I managed to actually get some sleep on the plane, and woke up just as we were landing, a magnificent sunset welcoming us both.
With a smile on his face almost mirroring that of ours, Joe picked us up from the airport and we headed toward Becca’s house in Cambridge. Post-hugs and welcome, we ventured into Cambridge, walking along wavey bricked sidewalks lined with houses of brick and siding which seemed to radiate the history and nostalgia which the left coast so lacks.
John Harvard’s was our dinner choice, a restaurant and brewery brimming with college students taking the edge off the past week’s work. There we caught up and basked in the past, pitcher after pitcher, laughing as if our lives hadn’t changed when those we loved moved away. It was amazing to be around both Joe and Becca again, and I think both Dina and I realized the extent to which we both missed them.
So now as we lay down for the night in Becca’s apartment, on this slowly deflating matress, I decided to write about this trip, if only to look back on it later, and truly understand what I don’t understand quite yet.
Other highlights:
- Finally getting to wear my scarf for the first time since buying it last winter
- Finding out that Josh finds Dina’s beauty only second to that of their disabled window washer
- Closing my eyes right now, mattress completely deflated, Joe snoring on the couch, Dina sound asleep. It’s going to be a great trip.
