John X. Li This is my blog.

Connecting the Dots

Last night I landed in Logan Airport. We had descended from an altitude of 33,000 feet to find ourselves approaching water. The Boston Harbor was glimmering from the water's reflection, and held a subtle red hue from the setting sun. Lined along the water front were large houses characteristic of - well I wouldn't know, they're simply different from the ones I'm used to. They were large, had many windows, many stories, and yet still retained a small quaint feeling about them. Houses like this are all over Boston.

We descended from 33,000 feet to find ourselves on a landing strip, only one other landing strip away from the water. "Welcome to Boston, we hope you enjoy your stay in Boston or wherever your final destination may be," cracked the pilot. "Have fun here!" one passenger said to another. A couple that sat behind me was going to Boston College for their daughter's orientation day. A girl that sat across the isle from me was here to surprise her father - for Father's Day.

After walking down the small terminal corridors and arriving at the baggage claim in the basement, I grabbed Di's suitcase and looked around. There was a Mass Transit machine. I went up to it. It was touch screen, and presented three different options. I can't remember what they were, but suffice to say it was much more complicated than the good ol' button pressing mechanisms of the CTA card. It also took credit card, which is what I used. I bought a $10 Charlieticket. I think I'll buy a Charliecard next time.

I walked out of the building, and watched the cars and buses pass by, with a Charlieticket in my hand. Where to go? I saw a sign that said I could get to the Red Line using the Silver Line, but I didn't know how to reach the subway. A bus passed by that said Silver Line. I was confused. I asked a uniformed guard how to get to the Silver Line. He pointed at the bus stopping nearby and said, "You better run if you want to catch that!"

Several passengers with large suitcases got on, and off we went. The bus took off, through the various tunnels and bridges at Logan Airport and towards the city. The sun had set. Large buildings, but not skyscrapers, loomed in the near distance as we made our way through more tunnels. Finally we had arrived at South Station, where I first took an elevator up to "Outbound Red Line", before realizing I had to actually take an elevator down to "Inbound Red Line".

The Red Line had seats that faced each other across the aisle. It felt roomy. I liked it. I think the El in Chicago was testing whether to switch to this setup, because I had sat in one of those a few months ago. I liked it then too.

I forgot to mention, on the Silver Line there was no pull string. At one time the bus driver just yelled, "Anyone getting off!?" And the automatic announcer was male, not female. Crazy. On the Red Line, the conductor announced each stop, and there was no "approaching" warning. That was scary.

Getting off the Davis Square stop, I walked out into the most idyllic, lively, square I have ever seen in my life. It was something out of Gilmore Girls, except there were more people sitting around under the street lights, at various benches, hanging out, having a smoke, eating ice cream, and laughing. The cars and buses drove carefully along the narrow streets, and I tried not to get lost.

Fifteen minutes later, my arms were sore but I had arrived at 163 College Avenue. Taruja opened the door for me, and I got acquainted with my room - a twin bed, a desk, and a closet. The dresser was coming later. Taruja is from Drexel, here interning for an insurance broker. She didn't know anyone else in Boston. We walked back to Davis Square, and ate at a small Mexican place - Anna's Taqueria. I had a Super Burrito, Al Pastor.

I went next door to see the other half of the 10 person house (split into duplex with 5 on each side). 4 guys sat around the immediate living room, chilling, watching the Daily Show. I sat, and watched. I talked to Johnny about my rent and furnishings for the apartment. They seemed like pretty funny, outgoing guys. Calvin said whenever I wanted I could go over and chill. Lloyd was quiet. Meacham was funny, but also seemed nice.

I went back to my half, and Suma was cleaning her floor. She's from University of Vermont. I had asked her, "Vermont - that's like north, right?" First impressions are everything. I don't think she likes me very much.

There no Chase banks in Boston, at all. Good morning, Boston.