Travel Reviews
Massachusetts

Well, I’m probably going to get in a bit of trouble for the following review. But what the hell, what else is new. I suppose I was supposed to have thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Massachusetts so much that I’d be planning my return visit before leaving. I did enjoy my visit. It just had nothing to do with Massachusetts. Maybe I even enjoyed myself despite being in Massachusetts.

So...why was there at all? Family reunion of sorts. My two brothers (in from Italy), sister (from Texas) and I (flying in from Ohio) all got together for the first time in about 14 years. We were visiting our father who had recently moved to Greenfield in north western Massachusetts from Texas. Now I’ve been to Texas. I don’t really like Texas (outside of Austin) but I can honestly say that I understand why he misses it so much. Massachusetts is strange. The people are wierd. It doesn’t help that he lives in the incest capitol of the state. Or that one of my stepmother’s favorite activities is to go shooting. She’s now in Massachusetts. Hasn’t received her gun permits yet. She’s a registered Republican. Probably won’t receive a gun permit. :-)

But I’m supposed to write about Massachusetts. I was in Connecticut as well- but I don’t have anything good or bad to write about. I take that back. I have two things: If you like lobster there’s a great place. I’ll get the name for you. If you don’t like lobster but are amused at the sight of people making complete pigs of themselves (does anyone hear “photo op”?), this is the place for you.

Back to Massachusetts. I suppose I’ll list the highs and lows.

Highlights:

• Pedestrians rule. Normally this would annoy me since I love my car and driving. But I was a pedestrian while in MA so this was a cool thing. First of all, pedestrians always have the right of way in crosswalks. It’s a state law. (They’re introducing this in parts of Connecticut that I was in as well - the drivers there just haven’t really caught on.) I was most impressed with the main intersections in town. As you’re walking you stop at the light and press the crosswalk button. You stand and wait for the light to change and the little “walk” sign to illuminate. Next thing you know, an alarm is going off and it’s a total free-for-all. All traffic stops and you can cross the intersection in any direction. You can cross at a diagonal if you so choose. You just have to do it fast because you’re only given about 30 seconds. But it’s cool. OK - maybe you’re wondering why that’s so cool. I’m not sure. Maybe it’s because I lived in LA so long and am used to being watched by little bicycle cops just dying to give jay walking tickets. Crossing an intersection on a diagonal just felt so foreign and taboo.
• Northampton. I loved it there. I didn’t get to spend much time there, and it was pouring rain for half of it. Northampton is the home to Smith College. No big deal since it seems every town in Massachusetts is home to some college or university. I found the best vegetarian food in Northampton, which is most likely the key to why I liked it there so much. Give me good food and I’m happy just about anywhere. The shops were very cute and plentiful. Especially the used book stores and record shops.
• WackyJac. I met with the wonderful female force behind this company while in Mass. She is an amazing artist. Her witches and elves are very mischievous and whimsical. I had the opportunity to go through all of their products. From T-shirts and tanks to the cute underwear. I guess you could say from top to bottom. haha.  I was so impressed I had to bring some goodies home to give away on Girlposse because I know you guys will like their designs, too.
• Massachusetts is pretty. But so is eastern Ohio. In fact it looked a lot like home - the hills were just steeper and they had moose crossing signs.

Low lights:

• Yankee Candle Company. This is a huge tourist attraction. I can’t understand why. You’re at the factory, you’d think you might find some deals. Nope. In fact there was nothing here that you couldn’t find elsewhere. I suppose if you’re into overpriced candles or really like shopping for Christmas ornaments this would be your kind of place. It just wasn’t mine.
• The weather. Sucked. It was rainy, drizzly, misty when I arrived. Which accounted for my flight being delayed nearly 3 hours. It then fluctuated between extremely hot and humid and very cold and humid. It was August. I didn’t think I’d need a heavy coat. At night I did.
• The people. There were a few exceptions, but for the most part the people were just strange. Either completely ignorant, or half ignorant and rude. I don’t think the locals take too kindly to strangers there.
• My cell phone didn’t work. Anywhere. Everyone says that’s common. Too many hills, blah blah blah. Most phones don’t work there. Whatever. Put up more towers.
• Boston’s Logan International Airport. Especially the international terminal. What a complete pit. This has to be one of the worst airports I have ever been to. Dark, dreary, hard to get around, filthy, dirty, lousy food selections, no coffee.....I could go on and on...
• Speaking of the airport. Leaving the airport was a nightmare. I really feel for the people that are living amongst the construction hell. I really do. Worst moment: We’re in some tunnel leaving the airport. It’s bumper to bumper. Completely stopped traffic. We’d already been in the tunnel for a good 10 minutes and were only part way through when from behind us comes the wailing sound of an ambulance siren. Sure enough, flashing lights and siren blaring, here comes an ambulance. All I could think was “How the hell do you do this?” It took awhile, but  people finally moved over, and people let people move over enough for the ambulance to crawl through. I felt sorry for the patient in the back, though. Poor sucker probably died. Of course the smart people were the cabbies that were riding the ambulance’s bumper all the way through traffic. ;-)

If you must visit Massachusetts for some reason, I’m sorry. If you live there, I’m really sorry. But then again - I live in Ohio. What do I know? :-)

Sign up for your password to the 'Members' Only' Area
Become a GirlPosse.com Member to access "Members Only" contests, The Crypt, special offers, promotions, receive e-mail updates and more!