An activity-filled weekend

The train ride on Friday felt fast. I read my book and listened to my iPod, which unfortunately ran out of juice just a couple of hours into the trip.

People actually abided by the quiet car rules, though a few snickered and said they felt like they were in grade school when the announcement came on about no cell phone use or extended conversations. Then go to another car, beeyotch. You have the whole rest of the train to choose from.

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“Sometimes I like to brag, sometimes I’m soft-spoken / When I’m in Holland I eat the pannenkoeken.” The Beastie Boys, Super Disco Breakin’

I got to South Station around 4 and walked over to ES’s workplace. Hung out for a bit since she still had some work to finish. Then we were off to get groceries for the pannenkoeken, or Dutch pancakes, that her roommate M, who is from the Netherlands, was sweet enough to offer to make for us.

But it was M’s last day at work – she is moving to Spain in a week – and so of course the poor girl was caught up with stuff till late. ES and her other roommate M2 were fine with waiting. I, on the other hand, snacked for a good three hours before M came home.

The pannenkoeken were delish: I had one with bacon and apples, and half of one with edam cheese. The first time I had Dutch panckes was during my and ES’s trip to Amsterdam many moons ago. So between the pancake dinner, the rain, and the company, I kind of felt like I was back in Holland.

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“I’ve learned there are three things you don’t discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin.” Linus, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown


The next day we had a leisurely morning before heading out to go to the

Life Is Good pumpkin festival. Lots of people, lots of pumpkins. I didn’t realize this but pumpkin guts stink. Or at least I think it was the pumpkin guts. Either that or wet dog.

For some reason ES and I kept losing each other. We’d each get caught up in taking pictures and then look up and the other one would have vanished into the crowd. Luckily we had our cell phones, though my battery was quickly running out at the end.

Later in the evening we met up with IS, who is back from Prague. Yay! It’s been a couple of years since I last saw her, but it was like no time had passed.

After another run through the now-lit jack o’ lanterns, we grabbed a late Greek dinner on Newbury Street, then headed back to ES’s place and spent the rest of the night entertaining ourselves with ES’s iPhotoBooth. We are easily amused.

Sunday was the Head of the Charles, my first time there, despite my three-year stint in Beanton in the mid-’90s. Lots of people, lots of boats.

The weather was gorgeous but it was hot/cold/hot/cold, depending on if we were in the sun and if there was wind. Besides the racing there were booths with giveaways – btw, Kashi bars are DISGUSTING – and junk food. (Hot dogs and fries – yay!)

Then it was time for me to go home. The train ride back felt much longer although I slept for a good part of it. I felt a little sad going from being surrounded by friends to being by myself again, but I was happy to be back in NYC, seeing that familiar skyline, and in my own place.

4 comments

  1. “Don’t mean to brag, don’t mean to boast. But I’m intercontinental when I eat French toast” – The Move, Beastie Boys.

    Sorry, couldn’t resist.

    It’s amazing how quickly you can feel comfortable and at peace around REALLY familiar people. I totally understand the sadness or longing after leaving such an environment. Looking forward to being in such an environment in T-minus two months.

  2. Glad to hear you had a nice weekend.

    Wanted to let you know that I finally figured out ‘who you are.’ =) Thanks for letting me know where you eventually landed, I was wondering what happened to you!

  3. hemlock: you’re funny. and i’m impressed! i pulled the dutch pancake beastie boys line straight from wikipedia. ;)

    chloe: i’m glad you figured it out! i wanted to email you but didn’t have an address for you.

  4. it looked like a fun weekend. i’d like to see all those pumpkins lit up…