Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Wicked Awesome Trip
I went to Boston for the New Year. This long-planned trip was something of a reprise of last year's, just in a different location. Oddly enough, while I was in Boston the temperature was similar to North Carolina, yet maybe the context (or the three days of snow) made it much more bearable.
The first thing I did when I got to Boston was to go to Taam China. I split a sizzling black pepper chicken and Sezchuan crispy beef, and while both were more expensive than I remembered they were still delicious. Also, Taam now charges for rice.
The next day was dedicated to party and Shabbat preparations. We made runs to two supermarkets, a redemption center, and the airport to pick up and drop off various necessities. For the party we had tacos/tortillas with all the trimmings and a pinata for post-food entertainment. There were also several hundred cookies. I got to see the crew from last year, as well as many of my college roommates who are still in Boston.
Through Talia's machinations, we were able to fit some 15 people into the apartment and provide everyone with a bed, couch, or mattress. No one had to sleep in the bathtub or the kitchen.
Friday we woke up late and almost immediately began cooking for Shabbat
Shabbat. Somehow I wound up being in charge of some of the cooking, I and the only major problem with this was that I had to adjust to working with fewer meat utensils than dairy, the opposite of my own kitchen. Many of the previous night's guests came back over for Shabbat dinner (indeed, some never left) so we had a lively Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner. Afterward we played games and generally fell asleep early so we could wake up for minyan the next day.
We went to the Washington Square Minyan, which was an interesting combination of people our age, people who were starting families, and older professor-types. I was pleased and surprised to run into not only a family friend who might be mistaken for Hagrid, but also my roommate's wife.
Motzei we went out for tapas and the three boys split six equally, for a reasonable price. I have never been a tapas place before, but I was fairly pleased with the reasonable number of vegetarian options. Sunday was dedicated mostly to football, as we watched the playoff picture crystallize and the Panthers and the Falcons end their season on high notes, albeit not in the playoffs. After football me saw the rest of the Fein family and they were kind enough to take us out to Reuben's.
Monday consisted of lots of errands and then at night we watched the BSU/TCU throwdown, which was fairly entertaining and historical.
I would like to thank my host family, and of course, sporcle, for taking care of me during this trip.
The first thing I did when I got to Boston was to go to Taam China. I split a sizzling black pepper chicken and Sezchuan crispy beef, and while both were more expensive than I remembered they were still delicious. Also, Taam now charges for rice.
The next day was dedicated to party and Shabbat preparations. We made runs to two supermarkets, a redemption center, and the airport to pick up and drop off various necessities. For the party we had tacos/tortillas with all the trimmings and a pinata for post-food entertainment. There were also several hundred cookies. I got to see the crew from last year, as well as many of my college roommates who are still in Boston.
Through Talia's machinations, we were able to fit some 15 people into the apartment and provide everyone with a bed, couch, or mattress. No one had to sleep in the bathtub or the kitchen.
Friday we woke up late and almost immediately began cooking for Shabbat
Shabbat. Somehow I wound up being in charge of some of the cooking, I and the only major problem with this was that I had to adjust to working with fewer meat utensils than dairy, the opposite of my own kitchen. Many of the previous night's guests came back over for Shabbat dinner (indeed, some never left) so we had a lively Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner. Afterward we played games and generally fell asleep early so we could wake up for minyan the next day.
We went to the Washington Square Minyan, which was an interesting combination of people our age, people who were starting families, and older professor-types. I was pleased and surprised to run into not only a family friend who might be mistaken for Hagrid, but also my roommate's wife.
Motzei we went out for tapas and the three boys split six equally, for a reasonable price. I have never been a tapas place before, but I was fairly pleased with the reasonable number of vegetarian options. Sunday was dedicated mostly to football, as we watched the playoff picture crystallize and the Panthers and the Falcons end their season on high notes, albeit not in the playoffs. After football me saw the rest of the Fein family and they were kind enough to take us out to Reuben's.
Monday consisted of lots of errands and then at night we watched the BSU/TCU throwdown, which was fairly entertaining and historical.
I would like to thank my host family, and of course, sporcle, for taking care of me during this trip.
