It’s difficult for me to believe that I woke up this morning in Cambridge, on the floor, in an apartment with Joe and Becca and Dina, and here I am now – it’s 3:30 in the morning in what can only be described as a luxurious forest retreat. But there’ll be more on that later – back to this morning, and Cambridge.
We woke up around 9, but didn’t actually get out of the house until 11, at which point we headed for breakfast at an establishment called Zoe’s (appropriately the currently likely name of my soon-to-be-arriving niece). After breakfast we ventured out into Cambridge and Boston proper, seeing in daylight the places we walked through last night in the dark. Through Boston Commons, the River Charles, and the freedom trail, we walked and enjoyed the beautiful blue skies and each other’s company, both keeping us warm against a cool Boston breeze.
Our tour of Boston included the Columbus Day Parade, weaving through the bricked historical buildings much like the freedom trail we followed. Although I can’t say for sure, but I’m pretty sure that I haven’t seen a parade in person since about 6th grade (the new years’ day Rose Parade in Pasadena). Filled with drumlines, classic cars, politicians, and a whole lot of Italian pride, the parade added a certain something to our small amount of time in Boston that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
After the historical sites, climbing on an art display, and a short ride on the T, we were back in Cambridge waiting for my parents and their friends to pick us up. Parting with Joe and Becca wasn’t easy, but as we got into the third row of seats in our rented Suburban, both Dina and I were glad to have gotten the chance to spend even a few hours with both of them.
From Harvard we drove towards Leominster, a small town where we met Garik’s daughter Katya and her husband Kevin for dinner. It was a delicious steak dinner for all, though Dina seemed much more excited by the prospect (and realization) of unlimited warm bread.
After dinner we drove to Garik’s brand new “dacha” in Warwick. Although it was already dark when we arrived, this 5 acre lakeside retreat was in the middle of a beautiful forest, and I haven’t even described the house yet. Designed by his (clearly talented) architect wife Aksana and project managed by Garik himself, this house is a beautiful collection of countless bedrooms and nonestop beauty. Although it’s massive (~8 thousand square feet), the entire house is well decorated and wood paned, giving it both warmth and soul which we felt from almost every corner as we got the seemingly endless tour.
The night wasn’t over however, as we then sat around the fireplace, lights turned off leaving the illumination to only the flames. The parents shared stories as the glowing wood crackled and glowed beside us, and it wasn’t long before the guitar was taken out. I think I’ll leave my description of what’s been dubbed the “Gordin Family Singalong” to another post, but suffice it to say that little in the world makes me happier than times like these. We sang songs (even Dina sang along!), passed the guitar, and laughed our way into the night. Although tonight was an entirely different kind of satisfaction than that of the night before, I have to say that this trip has been amazing so far. Tomorrow we spend the day here in Warwick, starting with picking mushrooms in the surrounding forest (something my parents have done and touted for many years, but Dina and I have yet to experience first hand). Should be fun!
Other highlights:
- Jumping and climbing on the angled metal artwork with Joe, competing for height and style as judged by Becca and Dina
- Getting to play with Katya’s puppy, a very cute 3 month old white and red Irish Setter
- Hearing my dad and Garik sing together, both smiling, laughing, and time-traveling to another time in another world.
