Back to Mass

Saturday night I arrived home from Mexico to Dhana's home who had chosen to travel with me up north for the next week. She watched as I unpacked and repacked all of the needed clothing/supplies into the correct bags and then packed Samantha ready for our trip. I had a little trouble moving the top lugage rack to place the canvas top carrier but as well all know, Dhana does not possess any tools. We had to wait until 7am until her mother brought the needle nosed pliers for us to place and load the top carrier. As Dhana's mom, Hilda, left us she did not have wishes for safe travel or a plea to keep her daughter safe. She left me with these words, "Becky, do not leave this house until you make sure that Dhana makes her bed!" Ok that sums up the women in the south, so moving onto the north!

About an hour into our travels I realized that I had put the top carrier on upside down and Dhana had to use the restroom already, so we stopped against my will to repack the carrier and allow Dhana to relieve herself. I had planned the trip for the week to travel part way north about 9hrs to Baltimore, MD and stay with my friend Ally who has been in MD since Feb. Thanks to traffic jams and Dhana's small bladder, we ended up in Baltimore about 10hrs after departure! Ally lives right downtown Baltimore which only got me more excited to see my apartment in Boston! We quickly changed and with Dhana's ADHD we had to quickly flee the apartment for a dinner location. After a great meal we went out to a few bar establishments where Ally and I caught up from the past 3months while Dhana proceeded to give all of her cash to homeless people!

Monday we were left to our own adventures while Ally went to work unfortunately. Dhana and I ran around town, or walked being that I still had my faithful and handy boot on my foot. We did some shopping to apease Dhana and then had lunch on the inner harbor of Baltimore with the boat taxis coming in and out as people hustled around us. Ally met us after work for dinner and some more Baltimore adventures as we taught Dhana taxi etiquite and the northern culture. We ended up staying out way too late for our early morning departure for Maine.

At 8am we left Baltimore and drove up around Phili, through NYC, around Boston and up into Maine. We stopped at my favorite spot, Kennebunk and checked into our hotel with ease. Come to find out, Bartley's restaurant, the one I have spent much time at in the off season, is now closed for dinner during the seasosn on the week days! What the heck is going on??? Well we did manage to have some fun with my friend Jake meeting us for dinner and a mean game of trivia. Wednesday was Cinco de Mayo, so wisely spent hanging out in Maine with friends and some cervezas.

Thursday morning we awoke with a sprint and packed up our tornado striken hotel room to head back down to Boston. Short trip thank goodness, or Dhana would have jumped out of a moving vehicle, about 1.5hrs to Boston. Quickly found my apartment and got my keys to ride up to the 27th floor and let our jaws hit the floor when we saw the view that I will have for the next 13wks. We managed to unpack and park Samantha safely int the garage while we regrouped and entertained one of Dhana's friends that has lived here in Boston for 3yrs as part of the cost guard team. He was very impressed with the view, stating that there is not a hotel in Boston that you could pay enough money for a view like the one I have!! Yay me:) Dhana and I found our way with little direction to the North End for a great Italian meal and a little shopping. Headed home early and slept for 13hrs, maybe we were a little tired?

Friday was a fantastic day getting around Boston. Went directly to Dunkin Donuts and then quickly walked to Massachucetts General Hospital where I will be working. About an 8min walk from my apartment, awesome. We got groceries at Whole Foods really close to my apartment, mindful of course that you have to carry what you purchase! Went back to the apartment to unpack a little and regroup for our next adventures. We then set out on foot across Boston. I will say that my dad did leave me with a little of his directional sense in which I am very thankful. I have been to Boston twice before previously but with little touring or orientation thanks to weather or events of the weekend. This Friday I managed to steer us directly to everything that we would ever want to see in Boston, or that I know of at this point! Traveled to the Holocaust Monument, into Quincy Market and then to stop for lunch at the long wharf. We had a fabulous day with adventures, touring, shopping, balloon hats and dancing.

Saturday was pretty much a wash, watching 4 movies, heading out for food in between naps and Becky unpacking some more of my apartment. Saturday night we were asleep by about 9pm and slept for another 12hours. We are old I guess:) Sunday was Dhana's day to return to Sumter, SC so we began walking to the South Station in order to catch the silver line to the airport. Thank goodness we gave up part way and called a cab because the transit system is more sporadic on Sunday's and we would have missed her flight. After heading to the wrong airline then traipsing across 2 terminals to get to the right one, I gladly handed over my 7day travel buddy to US airways! Then came the fun part of realizing that Logan airport is on an island and I had not too good of idea as to how to return to my apartment. Swimming was not an option so I found where the silver line picked up and how to purchase a ticket.

Followed the crowd getting off the silver line at south station but then upon ascending from the subway realized that my apartment was not the tallest building in the financial district area. Most parts of Boston I had been too, I could see my apartment towering above all else, so I would just walk in that direction until something was familiar. Well I was lost for sure! I walked around until I hit a bridge and realized that was not correct, but as I turned to go back I saw a sign that directed me on my path. Ran through Quincy Market to grab a Gyro, stopped to call my mom on mother's day and made it back to my apartment about 1.5hrs after leaving Dhana! Don't think it is a world record on foot, but it will be a goal to beat next visitor delivery to the airport.

So this week Monday, Tuesday, and most of Wednesday was orientation to the hospital. I am on the Neurology unit at Mass General (MGH), where I'm quite comfortable thus far. I am still getting used to walking everywhere, to work, to the store, to eat, to get mail, etc. I do visit Samantha in the parking garage every other day. She is doing great resting in her new home and making lots of friends! Great city, awesome view, unmatchable career opportunity and countless possibilities for memories to cherish!