First Impressions of Louisville Kentucky
Hot and muggy. It was 88 degrees and very humid when I arrived in Louisville just before 11 p.m. on Sunday night. The small airport had little activity. I think our flight was the last to arrive for the evening. As I walked to baggage claim, I saw advertisements that indicated what to there is to know about the local market: Kentucky Derby, Mint Julip, Louisville Slugger. What else is Kentucky known for? I gave it some thought, and then I remembered: Bourbon. Once I reached downtown, I quickly learned that Muhammad Ali is from Louisville. A street is named after him, and he seems to have a prominent role in the community.
Oh, I should note, there isn’t a direct flight from Boston to Louisville. I flew USAirways via DCA. The flight from DCA was a commuter plane. The small size with three seat across, and one where nobody over 5’11’’ can stand up straight. The plane was a half hour late, so it was already around 9 p.m. when we were all situated on our tiny plane. It was sweltering hot, and of course the AC wasn’t working. As luck would have it, I was just about in the last row, so we had no fresh air circulating in the back of the plane. I could barely breathe, but the flight attended said the AC would kick on as soon as the engine started.
Just when I thought we would be on our way, the flight attendant tells us the plane is overweight. I think, isn’t that the story of America these days? Even the plane is overweight! She informs us that one person must get off of the plane. S/he would receive a $400 voucher, hotel for the rest of the evening (not much left of it at that point) and the unlucky person would be booked on the 5:45 a.m. flight that transferred through Charlotte, NC and arrived in Louisville around 11: 00 a.m. Who in the right mind is getting off a direct flight for that? That’s when the standoff began. She said we would not leave until someone volunteered to get off of the plane. After about 10 minutes, a guy walked up to the front to get more information. I was hoping he was our hero. I could barely breathe at that point and beads of sweat were beginning to drip down my back. He returns to his seat, presumably to discuss the option with his wife, and quickly gives the option a thumbs-down. We all sigh with disappointment.
A few minutes later, the flight attended announces the name of a man who must depart the plane. I have no idea why he was selected. He was sitting behind me. He was tall and skinny. I ask out loud, how it’s possible that he of all people was going to make a difference. He was maybe 160 pounds, and even he agreed it seemed ridiculous. Next, the pilot gets off the plane and begins to dig in the baggage compartment. He brings a few bags on board and stuffs then into the very limited overhead. Small bags by the way. The overhead bins were very small. We are all wondering what the heck is going on at this point.
Then a few minutes after that, the skinny guy that was previously removed boards the plane again. I guess they also figured removing him really didn’t make a difference. Now I’m getting concerned. I started to wonder if I should get off of the plane. One minute they tell us the plain is overweight, and it isn’t safe to fly. Then they shuffle a few small bags, and it is safe? I wondered if I was testing fate. Are commuter pilots really experienced enough to make the call? I wanted Captain Sully. Why didn’t they explain the situation to us? As a communications professional, I made mental notes of how the situation could have been handled better. First tell us how much overweight we are and what the repercussions are. I asked the flight attendant for answers. She said the plane was nose heavy, and moving the bags to passenger-level helped the situation. She said they calculate an average weight per passenger, and we all packed too many bags. She said the pilot did us a favor, and we should thank him. Thank him for what I wondered. There average calculations didn’t work on this occasion. I paid for the ticket, and I paid $25 to check my bag. It was not excessive, just a normal bag. Anyway, we eventually took off and landed safely. The experience was just one more reason that I don’t care for USairways.
My airport cab driver was from Trinidad a spice island I quickly noted. He was friendly and interested in learning more about the conference that I was in town to attend, so I shared what I knew about ASEE. As we entered the city, he pointed out contributions by the local university. He was very proud of his city. The airport is about seven miles from the city’s center.
The next day, I walked a few short blocks from the Galt House Hotel to the convention center. I was on the 22nd floor of the hotel, and I had a nice view of the Ohio River and several bridges. The view remind me of Pittsburgh, but the Ohio River in Louisville is much wider, brown and muddy looking.
Oh, there were also millions of odd bugs that looked like dragon flies but weren’t. They were only by the river, but the pathway had piles of dead bugs and even more flying around. I didn’t stick around to investigate. I decided it was better to walk in the city center.
I had very little free time during the three days I was in town. I had some free time in the evenings after dinner, and luckily, the sun sets pretty late. I think it was light out until around 10 p.m. What did I notice?
The town is clean. The architecture of the older buildings also reminded me a bit of Pittsburgh. Perhaps the designers were similar, or they were built in the same years. Not sure.
I noticed parks, public art, and flowers. The small town boasts an unusually high number of museums and art galleries for its size. In particular, I recommend Art in Proof on Main which was part of the 21 C Museum Hotel. I have the impression there is a big philanthropic community supporting this art. I also had the impression economic development is a priority for the city. There are a few chains on fourth street including Hard Rock Café which hit it’s prime about 10 years ago. Most of the businesses near the convention center are there to support tourists. The locals come into the city for work and then quickly depart at the end of the day. It was really quiet in the evenings. I always felt safe walking around, but there really weren’t many people on the streets. I also noted the lack of retail. There isn’t one single department store in the city. I didn’t see any boutiques or retail shops. OK, CVS and Payless Shoes, but that was it.
If you have plans to visit the city, walk beyond 4th street live towards the Brown hotel and away from the convention center. There seemed to be a few independent cafes in that area as well as an old theater. If you read my blog, then you know I prefer local restaurants over chains.
I attended a banquet at Glassworks, which is OK. I wish I had time to explore some of the museums.
Overall, I liked Louisville. I doubt I’ll return anytime soon, but perhaps for the Derby someday.
Brief Chat with a New York Cabbie
I jumped in a random cab on 6th Avenue and 14th. The cab driver was very friendly and asked where I was from almost immediately. Although, I’m friendly too, so I usually do strike up conversation with the cabbie. The topics range. In this case, it turns out my driver grew up in Boston, just a few miles from where I live now. He moved to NYC in the 1970’s. He said he preferred NYC over Boston ‘because anything is possible.” Geez, doesn’t everyone says that? I pretty sure he meant that in a practical way such as food 24/7 etc. versus fortune seeking. I enjoy visiting and exploring, but I never had a desire to live there. I prefer Boston over NYC, and I guess that’s why it’s my home now.
I discover something interesting each time I visit, but I also notice quite a bit of sadness and struggle. I suppose it depend upon where in the city I am. I usually stay in the mid-town area (garment district) close to my company’s office. This is not a flashy area of the city. There are remnants of the high-traffic drug area that used to be near the Penn Station. The cab driver said the street my hotel is on used full of crack addicts, and he used to drive through with his doors locked. Today, it’s cleaned up, lined with brand new hotels and safe enough to walk along in the evening. Well, anyone with a bit of street smarts that is. There are still questionable shops in the area. Frankly, I don’t necessarily mind the grittiness. It’s more interesting than walking past sterile national retail chains that look identical.
Speaking of sterile retail chains, cabby also lamented on the loss of mom and pop shops. This is where he dropped his guard for a moment to acknowledge that his beloved city has changed over the years and not all for the better. He hinted that NYC lost some of its edge over the years. The culprit: too many chains and visitors aren’t as bold as they used to be.
I agree with him, but it’s not just NYC. It’s every city. As rents rise, independent shop owners are usually priced out of the market, so the have to move to an up-and-coming area and the cycle continues. Unfortunately, the average person prefers to stay in their comfort zone. They want to stick to what they know, and they prefer not to stray too far. He talked about how his passengers used to be more adventurous. Years ago, tourists would ask him to drive to Harlem, when it was still Harlem, and other off-the-beaten path locations. Travelers wanted to see reality and mix with locals not other tourists. Now, it’s just Times Square, Central Park and the usually top 10 places identified in travel books.
Unfortunately, it was a short cab ride, and we didn’t have a chance to talk further. If it wasn’t late, I would have taken a longer way back to the hotel.
Top 5 List for Disney’s Magic Kingdom
When it comes to travel, I prefer to explore, learn and blend in with locals to get their perspective. Destinations such as Vegas and Disney are generally unappealing to me, but I’ve traveled to both for business. Earlier this month, I was in Orlando, FL for intense sales training (customer centric selling which was very good). I arrived early Sunday morning so that I could enjoy one day of Florida sunshine before I was sequestered into a windowless conference room for five days. As luck would have it, that was the same week an arctic blast covered much of the East Coast. It was sunny, but also freezing cold! (low 30’s). So much for sitting by the pool.
I stayed at the Disney Hilton, so I figured I’d explore one of the parks since I had never been to any. I called a few of my friends who have taken their children to Disney to ask for recommendations. Hands down, The Magic Kingdom is a must see for a newbie. I bought a day pass from the Disney store at my hotel. Discount rates are available to conference attendees after 2:00. As luck had it, the park was open until 11 p.m. that day, so I had plenty of time to explore.
I took a free shuttle bus directly from my hotel to the Magic Kingdom. I know Disney is synonomous with details, but I didn’t expect to give a digital finger print at the entrance. I wonder if this will soon be required at airports.
A few steps beyond the entrance, I walked down Main Street, USA, and Disney’s magic spell struck me instantly. I was giddy. Yep, I fell for it right away. The beautifully decorated Christmas tree and then straight ahead- a very familiar icon- Cinderella’s castle! I ignored all the shops on Main Street and walked directly to the center of the park to shamelessly have my picture taken with Walt, M-I-C-K-E-Y Mouse with Cinderella’s Castle in the background. 
Speaking of Kodak moments, Kodak advertising is everywhere as if you can’t figure out where to take a good photo in the park.
I rode as many rides as I could, and I did not care that I was 1) by myself 2) not a five-year old. Again, completely shameless. I started my tour of the Magic Kingdom in Tomorrowland. Space Mountain closed for repair. Bummer. I explored the park counterclockwise through Toontown Fair, Fantasyland, Liberty Square and Frontierland. I of course took a break to watch the parade. I noted that the performers smiled more than a politician running for election. Also noted excessive makeup and lip syncing.
Because it was unseasonable cold and a Sunday, the park was relatively empty for Disney standards. Good news for me- that meant short lines. I never waited longer than 10 minutes. Did not even need a FP ticket.
Top five attractions at Disney’s Magic Kingdom:
1) Cinderella Castle– It’s an icon. At night, it twinkled with a million lights that changed colors and reflected into a pond. Mesmerized I was. If I had known in advance there was a restaurant inside, I surely would have made a reservation as it is the only way to get in. (Note: Food is overpriced and crappy in Dowtown Disney. Service was generally poor. Mostly food chains. )
2) Swiss Family Treehouse– If offered as an accommodation, I would have stayed there instead of the Hilton. Weather permitting of course.
3) Haunted Mansion– This is the best haunted house ever. The details are amazing. If I had more time, I would have visited this more than once for futher observation.
4) Pirates of the Caribbean– Impressive details.
5) Peter Pan’s Flight– A unique perspective of distance. The ride starts inside a bedroom and then you gradually fly over a city at night. Great details right down to cars with lights on. Very clever.
Oh, and the fireworks were amazing! Really, better than Boston’s on July 4th.
Random observations
Children cry in Disney. I couldn’t believe it. I suppose they are tired, but I didn’t think it was possible.
Every girl (particularly my three-year old neices) wants to be a princess thanks to Disney. Even I wanted to wear a tiarra by the end of the day. For the record, I did not.
The details were impressive. Now I understand why people spend multiple days at the park.
I did not expect to enjoy Disney as much as I did. I loved it! If you haven’t been to Disney, you should go. And, if you have children, you must take them.
Sleeping in a city that never sleeps
I know my way around Paris better than New York City, but that is changing. In October, I joined a company based in New York City, so I’ll be here on a regular basis. As I write this entry, I hear the sound of horns, traffic, and loud voices rising up to my 8th floor hotel room facing West 31st street. I would not normally choose to stay so close to Madison Square Garden, but I rolled the dice with priceline.com, and here I am. Yes, it’s a noisy area, but it was nice to exit Penn Station and drop off my luggage before heading the office at 42nd & Fifth Ave. 
I have limited free time while I’m in town on business, but I make the most of every moment. I’ve been studying New Yorkers with the eye of a social anthropologist. I observe as many details as I can to understand and experience why NYC is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. It’s nice to get to know the city better after all these years.
What have I noticed so far?
NY has become a bike-friendly city. Biking down Broadway during the day is now in the realm of possibilities and no longer reserved for the brave bike messengers. You can also sit at a cafe style table on Broadway which has been converted into an urban park. 
Bryant park is a popular lunch spot on a warm day. It’s behind the NY public library which is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. It has the feel of a museum. There is currently an ice rink and holiday shopping area in the park.
People actually do eat food sold by street vendors. I’ve been working up the courage to try something. I opted for the roasted nuts, and I lived to tell. It’s not always easy to eat healthy food when traveling, so I do appreciate all of the fruit stands in the city. Only 40 cents for a banana. What a bargain in this town!
If starts to rain and you don’t have an umbrella, no problem! Street vendors are opportunistic, and they appear with loads of them for sale. Which is great because it’s impossible to get a cab in midtown when it’s raining particularly during rush hour. And, as always, it’s easy to buy a knock off pashmina scarf, designer bag and/or watch. I’ve picked a few up for friends.
I should note, that despite what some people think of New Yorkers, they are very friendly and approachable. It’s very easy to strike up a conversation, get directions etc. I mostly eat dinner alone while in town, and I frequently meet interesting people . Some are tourists, but most are locals that provide excellent tips on where to eat next and what to do etc.
Beautiful, ornate architecture is everyone. Often you have to look up. Hotel lobbies, elevator doors, light posts, you name it. I have to remember to take more photos.
Oh, I’ve also had a bird’s-eye view from a few of the hotels I’ve stayed in. There is quite a bit of greenery on the roof tops of many buildings.
Every section of the city has it’s own personality. Midtown is pretty touristy for obvious reasons. It’s visual caffeine. If you are tired, you can elbow your way though a stampede of people in Time Square. People, sound, and lights everywhere.
I had dinner in the trendy meatpacking district tonight at the Spice Market. I sat at the Chef’s table which had a wonderful view of the kitchen. I sat next to a couple visiting from Sydney. We talked about the recession in the US and its global effects, travel, life in the States versus Australia. They were heading to DC next. It was their first trip to the US.
After dinner I walked southwest via Greenwich/West Village. Ah, the Village is more my speed. Quaint streets, cafes, shops and trees!
As for fashion trends: black is the new black. Riding boots and skinny pants seem to be the staple of most women.
I’ll continue to write about my NY experiences over time.
U2 360° Tour in Boston
My obsession with U2 started long before I attended the 1987 Joshua Tree concert at the Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, but it reached fever pitch on September 21, 2009. On this night, I attended the U2 360° concert at Gillette Stadium for the second night in a row. I had the best possible view of the band with my back against the rail of the inner circle! Dead center. It’s exactly where I wanted to be particularly after watching the U2 3D movie last year. It was an opportunity of a lifetime.
Bono singing a few feet away from me!
On Sunday night, I had seats in section 310 (stage right). The seats were good, but higher up than I expected. You could see all of the activity on stage, but it was necessary to rely on the monitors for details such as the expression on Larry’s face as illustrated in the photo below. 
When you are on the floor, you can take pictures such as this one of Bono. He was just a few feet away from me. See the difference?
Don’t get me wrong, I was thrilled to be at the concert the first night, but the overall experience, sound and view from the floor was by far superior particularly in a stadium. The last time I saw U2 live was during the Vertigo Tour at the Fleet Center or whatever it’s called these days. I preferred that venue. I had seats behind the stage, but it still felt more intimate than Gillette.
I should explain how I ended up with best seats I’ve ever had. First, I joined the U2 fan club to ensure I’d have access to tickets before the GP (general public.). Next, I opened a Ticketmaster account, so that I could execute the purchase quickly once the tickets were on sale. After that, I kept my eye on the schedule to make sure I was aware of the exact sale date for the US tour. As it turned out, I was in Europe when the US tickets were available, so I had to coordinate carefully due to the time difference.
It’s actually quite nerve wracking to purchase the tickets online. You can select tickets by best available or by a price point, but not by location in the stadium. Once tickets are offered, you have a minute or two to confirm your purchase. The first tickets offered to me were $250 each. Expensive and that didn’t even include Ticketmaster’s exorbitant fees. I admit, I considered it for a moment. Mostly because I feared that the rest of the tickets could have been sold out during the 30-45 seconds I took to make up my mind. I decided to roll the dice again. I ended up with Section 310 on Sunday and GA tickets for Monday night. I was pleased.
With coveted GA tickets in hand, I conducted research to determine my strategy for the best spot on the floor. I read blog, forum and twitter posts from other U2 fans. I also considered my attendance at Sunday’s show to be recon mission for Monday night. I wanted to be sure I understood the layout of the stage, the band’s use of the stage, crowd patterns and procedures to enter the floor. Yes, I clearly have too much extra time on my hands, but come on, we’re talking about U2. 😉
I should note that the traffic getting out of Gillette stadium was a nightmare. I didn’t get home until 3:00 a.m. after Sunday’s show. I was exhausted on Monday, and I had a long day ahead of me. I arrived at Gillette around 2:00 p.m. The GA line wasn’t bad. Perhaps 200 people in front of me which is what I expected. I immediately introduced myself to those around me. We spent the next four hours together in line. U2 fans bond quickly. We all had stories to tell about our favorite songs, concert experience etc. One couple next to me recently attend the concert in Dublin. Another woman had floor seats the night before, so she had good tips to share. A guy from North Dakota originally drove to Chicago for the first US show. He enjoyed it so much he decided to drive to Boston. He was young and had free time, so he called his parents to let them know he was heading to NYC next. Another couple in our group was from NH, and they were going to have a very long drive home and perhaps straight to work based on my experience with traffic the night before. With our lively conversation, time passed quickly as we sat in the hot sun.
Bracelets, which ensured our entry to the inner circle, were distributed to those of us in line. After about 4 hours of waiting, we lined up in corresponding rows of men and women to facilitate the security check process. After the security check, there was a line for ticket validation, and then it was a free for all run to the stage which happened to be the length of the football field. I was prepared to run as if my life depended upon it, but security personnel generally kept people from running.
I knew I had to get to the stage before everyone else in line. Fortunately, I’m a speed walker, so I was able to move faster than most around me. As I rounded the final turn inside the circle I saw an opening at center stage. Mission accomplished! I was thrilled. I grabbed the arm of the Scottish man standing next to me and jumped for joy. He too was a huge fan of U2, and he has traveled worldwide to see their concerts. He had an 8:30 a.m. flight back to the UK on Tuesday morning. Now that’s dedication. The man on the other side of me traveled from Santiago, Chile. He was heading to the concert at Giant Stadium next before his long trip home.
Truth be told, any spot in the inner circle would have been fabulous. When you are that close to the stage, you can see everything. Each member of the band was feet away from me on multiple occasions throughout the night. At one point, we were sandwiched between two catwalks. The Edge was on one side above my head and Adam on the other. I was so distracted by the Edge, I didn’t even notice Adam until my Scottish friend grabbed me by the shoulders and physically turned me around to see him. That’s when I made eye contact with Adam. I wanted to snap a few photos, but I didn’t want to miss anything. Fortunately, the woman standing behind me was kind enough to share the photo she took at that moment. 
The only thing that could have topped the evening would have been if Bono pulled me from the audience. The woman Bono selected was in my plan B location and happened to have long, dark, curly hair like I do. No kidding. It could have been me. Once on stage, Bono jumped into her arms. She carried him across the stage. Then they each stood across from each other on the catwalk, and Bono sang directly to her. Very lucky woman.
Random impressions…
Bono is charismatic and full of energy. He was in constant motion and always working the crowd.
Adam is cool. He was mostly stage left doing his thing like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
The Edge is fascinating to watch. With the distractions of Bono and the Edge, it’s easy to overlook Larry behind the drums, so it was nice to see him in front of the crowd during the remix if I’ll go Crazy Tonight which I love.
9/21 Details:
Opening Act: Snow Patrol
Main Set:
Magnificent,No Line On The Horizon, Get On Your Boots, Mysterious Ways, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Elevation, Your Blue Room, Beautiful Day, Unknown Caller, Until the End of the World, Stay (Faraway, So Close), The Unforgettable Fire, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo – Stories for Boys, I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight (remix), Sunday Bloody Sunday, MLK, Walk On, One – Amazing Grace, Where the Streets Have No Name
Encore(s): Ultraviolet, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender
90 Minute Tour: Boston Harbor Islands
If you follow my twitter updates, then you now I recently signed up for Groupon and find the bargain offers to be addictive. Although, I have actually only made two purchases, so I’m mostly a window shopper.
I have always wanted to tour the Boston Harbor Islands, so I could not resist purchasing a 90 minute tour offered by Flagship Adventures for $20. My friend Kathy and I took the tour this afternoon. Our Friday afternoon timing was perfect. There were only 5 of us on the RIBCRAFT which seats about 9 people. Given the intimate size, it felt more like an outing with friends than a tourist activity. Upon boarding, I asked the Captain which was the best seat. While every seat was just fine, he directed me to the front of the boat for the most excitement. Like a roller coaster I suppose.
The craft was essentially an industrial strength rubber dinghy with twin 225 horse power engines. Top speed on the water is 47 MPH. I’m pretty sure we came close to that today. We were air-born a few times as we cut through choppy waves rolling in with high tide and also thanks to Tropical Storm Danny I imagine.
It was so much fun that it occurred to me that if a lawyer takes the tour s/he will probably ruin it for everyone else with restrictions on speed, waivers etc. Please don’t!
The tour included historical commentary about many of the islands we passed. It was quite interesting to learn about the historical and present use of the islands. On one island, people live cottages without running water and electricity. The cottages have been passed down for generations, but once the present owners die, the cottages will be torn down due to an arrangement with the national park service. Another island housed Italian POWs during WWII. Some of the islands used to have hotels around the turn of the century. Spectacle Island used to be a garbage dump and which polluted the harbor. It has since been cleaned up, but I doubt I’m swim at there beaches near it. Another island offers programs for at-risk city youth as well as homeless people. There are forts and stories about ghosts which I’m sure add to the ambiance for over night camping and fire side stories.
I recommend that you read up on the history of the islands which are part of the national park system. Many of the islands are accessible by regular ferry trips from Boston. Touring the islands is a perfect, low-cost activity for summer. I plan to return to explore further by foot.
Oh! I almost forgot to mentioned that we had an unbelieve view of airplanes landing at Logan Airport. We paused near one of the runways, and the airplanes flew right over our heads. That was a bonus on the way back to the dock.
Manchester-by-the-Sea’s Singing Beach
My schedule is pretty flexible these days, so I have to wonder why it has taken until August to figure out that I should work mornings and evenings and spend afternoons at the beach!
Well, this week I finally came to my senses, and on two occasions, I relaxed to the soothing sound of waves gently crashing on Singing Beach! It’s one of my favorite Cape Anne beaches.
Singing beach is about 30 miles north of Boston. With light traffic, it takes about 45 minutes door to door. Parking ($25) at this beach is very limited even during the week. You can park in town and walk about 5 minutes to the beach. Better yet, I recommend that you take the commuter rail to Manchester-by-the-Sea and walk the same distance. It’s a quaint town, so you can also browse through boutiques before or after enjoying the beach. There is a snack bar at the beach, but I usually by a sandwich at the local deli and have a picnic lunch.
Singing beach is at the end of a beautiful residential neighborhood. Multi-million dollar homes and trees line the beach which is probably less than a half mile long. Looking straight out to the horizon dotted with sailboats, it feels like you are on an island. The water is clean and reflects many shades throughout the day. There are also a few small rocky islands not far from shore. 
The clear blue/green water was a brisk 66 degrees, so it stings your feet upon entry. Nonetheless, it is refreshing on an 80 degree day. It’s funny to watch everyone have the same physical reaction to the cold water temperature. Actually, just adults. Apparently kids have no idea how cold the water is. They jump right in.
Oh, I should warn that this is a family beach for the most part. On Thursday, there were literally bus loads of kids. They were mostly on the opposite end of the beach, so it was still pretty quiet near me. I intermittently read, walked, napped and swam throughout the day.
It was a lovely day.
Am I a sailor yet?
The first time I sailed was about 12 years ago while I was living in Pittsburgh. A friend casually mentioned that a woman in his office was planning a sailing trip on the Chesapeake. I always wanted to learn how to sail, so I suggested that he ask her if we could go. Having planned vacations, I was familiar with the difficulty of getting people to commit with money. As I suspected, there was space available for us!
The sailing trip began at a marina on Solomon’s Island in Maryland. We made the five hour drive after work. The crew was to meet at the Tiki Bar the night before our sail. We only knew Sue the organizer, so we looked forward to meeting our new friends and our Captain.
I’ll never forget meeting Captain Dave. As luck would have it, he turned out to be the salty dog character at the Tiki Bar, with a gruff beard and dark tussled hair, that had one too many MaiTai’s. I of course avoided eye contact and ignored whatever words he slurred when he sat in the chair next to me that my friend temporarily vacated for a trip to the restroom. We had no idea he was our Captain at the time because we had not yet met any of the crew. You can imagine our surprise when we were introduced. Ultimately, Dave was harmless, but he was definitely a character with many stories. I heard he has since retired from his civilian Navy job (Physicist iirc), sold his boat and is doing well playing poker tournaments in Vegas.
Captain Dave was used to racing and winning on Krugerrand (a Morgan 36), so my introduction to sailing involved him yelling a bunch of commands that I did not understand. I barely knew the difference between Port and Starboard. He didn’t yell out of anger or frustration, it’s just what was he was used to from his competitive racing days. Nothing personal. Just urgency. I learned a few new things about sailing and the boat on each trip, but I admit we weren’t a hard working crew. To this day, I still enjoy sitting at the bow or under the main if I not at the helm. 
Over the years, I sailed the Chesapeake a few times each summer with the same group of people that I met on that initial sailing trip. I also made two trips to the Caribbean. During the first trip, we sailed around the BVI on a Beneteau 50 which is a common charter boat. On the second next trip, we sailed around the lessor Antilles including St Bart’s and Saint Martin on a catamaran. By the way, it’s worth noting that I had the best dinner ever at the Fish Pot. Well, up to that point in my life anyway.
I thoroughly enjoyed both sailing trips, and I could write detailed blogs about each. Ah, ok. Just a few short notes. Snorkeling is better in the BVI. I suspect this is because there are more moorings and the coral reefs are protected from anchors, but what do I know. Painkillers at the Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke. The Baths. The Caves. Willie T’s. Enough said. St. Bart’s is exactly what you expect it to be except even more colorful.
I moved to Boston in 2002, and I’ve since spent many summer weekends on a boat in Newport, the sailing capital of the world and former home of America’s Cup. You want to sail? This town is drenched with experienced sailors, beautiful boats, and captivating views. It’s a small town, yet it is surprisingly international.
Fortunately, many of my friends are experienced sailors, and I have learned quite a bit from them over the years. They are very patient teachers. I’ve learned about navigation, maintenance, tide charts, safety, troubleshooting, and of course knots. I am grateful for all they have shared with me over the years. Last summer, I started racing on my friend’s 1926 Herreshoff S Class boat. On a classic yacht with a wooden mast, you don’t want to screw up. I was essentially ballast for the first race or two, but now I’m considered to be experienced crew. Progress! 🙂
I’ve learned quite a bit since my first sailing trip, yet when asked if I am a sailor, I always hesitate to answer. Compared to most of my friends and the sailors I meet? No. Learning about sailing is endless, but in my heart I know the answer is yes. Most sailors would tell you there is always something new to learn.
Best place to enjoy the view!
First Impressions of Davis Square
My first week in Davis has been positive. The street I live on is fairly quiet, and I certainly don’t miss the motorcycles that used to pass by my Newbury Street apartment. Compared to Back Bay, Davis Square is a bohemian neighborhood. Davis is lively, trendy and aims to please. It’s small, but jam packed with personality marked by interesting independently owned shops, cafes and boutiques. I can’t wait to investigate further.
It’s certainly not hard to find a venue for live music. For example, U2 played at the Somerville Theater a few months ago to promote their upcoming 360 tour.
One of the first things I noticed right away is that people are very friendly. In this respect, it reminds me of my hometown- Pittsburgh. I’m quite used to people saying hello as they pass you on the street or striking up a conversation in any venue.
I stopped by McKinnons this week. I was very impressed with the quality of meat, and I can’t imagine I’ll shop anywhere else for meat. I hear Dave’s Fresh Pasta is fabulous. I look forward to it.
I’m addicted to Mint Oreo ice cream and unfortunately for me, there is a J P Licks in walking distance!!!
There is a farmer’s market in the Day Street parking lot on Wednesdays. It’s small, but there is a nice variety of bread, cheese and fresh produce.
There was a street festival in front of Redbone’s earlier this week to promote biking. I think that was the purpose. I didn’t stay long, but I appreciated the live music and festive atmosphere. The crowd was diverse- more so than Back Bay.
I already received a $50 parking ticket for street cleaning. At least I got that out of the way.
I like my new neighborhood, and I’m glad there is so much to explore. I look forward to finding my new favorite place for X, Y and Z.
Good Bye Back Bay, Hello Davis Square!
Well, it’s official. I moved to the “suburbs” of Boston last week. Although, I’m sure the residents of Somerville would disagree with that characterization. In any case, it’s the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one.
For nearly seven years, I lived on the third floor of a beautiful brownstone on Newbury Street in Back Bay. 
The center of my universe happened to be the block between Gloucester and Hereford Streets. Just around the corner from Tom Brady’s Comm Ave. condo at one point.
I have so many fond memories of this elegant neighborhood. I’m pretty sure I explored every inch of it over the years, and I loved what I saw every single day. I’ve seen many stores and restaurants come and go. Particularly on the corner of Gloucester. We’ll see how long Cafeteria lasts. I bet I’ve eaten more than 100 of gyros at Steve’s Greek Food. I”m not proud of this. 🙂 Similar to the amount of money I have paid in rent of the years, there are some numbers you should not think about.
I”ll miss the beautiful architecture and peaceful parks. Strolling along Newbury on a quiet Sunday evening or after a snow storm. Lighted trees during the Christmas holiday season. Great people watching. Convenient access to everything including the Esplande and the Boston Public Library which has a beautiful courtyard and a fine collection of art, maps and of course books. I’ll miss my regular visits to Lord & Taylor en route to Shaw’s.
Interestingly, after seven years, you know all of the panhandlers in the neighborhood, and you hope they are OK when not found in their usual spot. Some sing the same repetitive song such as the guy near CVS who sings, “Change, change, change, can anyone spare a little change, change, change.” Others just shake a cup. Most are middle aged men, but sadly, I’ve noticed younger people recently.
There are plenty of interesting characters in Back Bay. There is the artist that paints in front of Sonsi‘s wearing cut off jean shorts and usually nothing else in the Summer. There are the usual suspects at popular Back Bay watering holes. “Champagne Tony” to name one. Oh, there is a biker who emerges each spring and rides his trike down Newbury yelling moo-ve, moo-ve. Nobody really knows what he is saying, but they do know to get out of his way.
I’ll miss the annual Santa Speedo run in December. Men running in Speedos and Santa caps down Newbury Street. Yep. It’s a sight. Actually, women have joined the ranks in recent years. Not sure why they would subject themselves to such a spectacle.
Berklee’s graduation is pretty cool. The graduates parade around the block lead by a big band. I’ve always assumed it was Berklee, but I’m actually not sure.
My top five places for casual eats:
1) Piattini- great selection of salads, small plates of pasta and wine by the glass.
2) Trident cafe– Great place to read, people watch and have tea or another beverage of choice.
3) The Other Side Cafe- Decent sandwiches in a funky atmosphere.
4) Parrish Cafe- Regal Regis Sandwich is my favorite. Nice selection of food and drinks.
5) Bar Lola- for the outside deck and Sangria.
Mostly, I’ll miss being within walking distance to everything including many of my friends. Fortunately, I’m on the Red Line, and just a short trip away.
I look forward to exploring my new neighborhood, and I’ll write about my first impressions next.
About
I have 15 years of experience advising senior executives on communications and marketing strategies to build brand, market share and to drive sales leads.
Travel is my passion. I have explored more than 100 cities in 16 countries on 3 continents. I am interested in people and places both far and near. From time to time, I update my blog to share my travel experiences.
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