Recall for me a time from the days of your youth when you would arrive at your elementary school classroom dressed in shorts and sandals, permission slip and paper lunch bag in one hand and a $20 bill from Mom in the other. The anticipation and thrill over this day had been eating you alive, and it had finally arrived. You were ready to spend an entire day at a location different from your normal 3rd grade schoolroom.
I’m talking about field trip day.
It was the best day of any school year. As a kid, school becomes your world from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Life outside of those walls during that time is a mystery and something that only the sick or those celebrating a birthday get to experience occasionally. Hearing that ding from the ceiling of your classroom with an omnipresent voice following…Mrs. Skiles, please excuse Austin Maddox for dismissal.
Joy and bliss for the ears.
But I digress. My point is that field trip day was like missing school while still being in school, if that makes any sense. It was truly a magical experience. You got all the privileges of school and socialization without schoolwork. Plus, you got to travel with 30 of your closest friends to look at sharks in a tank or hold a bug that looks like a stick and buy a toy made by some Amish guy with the 20 bucks that your mom gave you.
However, something changed as I got older, and I began to go on fewer of these excursions. Field trips, which were practically an absolute for me at least once a school year, became less and less frequent after arriving in middle school. Once in high school, I maybe went on one or two school trips my entire time there. So, by the time I rolled into college, man, forget about it.
Turns out, I was wrong. Imagine that?
Professors, at least in my experience, love to get out of the classroom to teach. It refreshes the soul, makes learning more interesting and allows students to connect what they are learning in the curriculum with real life contexts.
Plus, it’s a dang good excuse to get out of class.
I have personally taken a day trip to Nashville, spent a class period in the Jackson Escape Rooms, took a weekend-long endeavor to Murfreesboro for a conference, and, most recently, traveled to the great city of Boston, Massachusetts for four days to learn about how my degree can work in the real world.
Take that, weird stick bug.
With this context in mind, I would like to debrief with you some thoughts about my most recent trip to New England, and how this fascinating little city has captured my admiration.
On Nashville International Airport…
Nashville, you are growing, and your airport is beginning to show it. However, you’re not letting it get to your head. That’s great. Stay humble. Also, the TSA agents working on Wednesday morning were very kind, and that kicked off the trip just right, so good on you BNA.
On JetBlue Airlines…
Alright JetBlue, where have you been my entire life? I mean come on, if anyone is innovating the passenger aviation game right now it has to be you. Free TV and movies on domestic flights? Full-sized, unlimited ginger ale? (Also, side note: I only want ginger ale on an airplane. What does that mean for me, you know, psychologically?) People, the flight attendants literally walked down the aisle with a basket of goodies, allowed you to take as many as you wanted, and they were all name brand gems, such as Cheez-Its and Terra chips. Not to mention the incredible friendliness of the entire flight staff. I promise I am not a paid endorser, but look out Delta, I may have just become a JetBlue believer.
On the Hotel Commonwealth…
How do you spell bougie? No seriously, is it boujee or bougie or Bourgeoisie? I don’t know, but what I do know is that this hotel was NICE. The views, the service, the room size…freakin’ phenomenal. The only complaint I have is that the lobby smelled like seafood all day and night (which I came to realize so does the entire city of Boston.)
On Professor Ashley Blair…
In the classroom, Professor Blair is a force to be reckoned with. Show up on time, participate in class, contribute to discussion and even crack a few jokes with her, and you will do just fine. However, if you show even an ounce of fear…I mean, unprofessionalism, you’re dead meat. All in love, of course. Still, traveling with A. Blair is an entirely different experience. Imagine the ultimate travel mom, you know, with like a bag full of medication and a nurturing spirit when needed (RIP Mary Madelyn, that flu is rough). Tenacious but fun, A. Blair was a perfect travel leader, and 10 out of 10 I would recommend.
On the Freedom Trail
Ok, whoever’s idea this was, bravo. Basically, if you are unaware of this phenomenal tourist trap, the city of Boston created a two-and-a-half-mile red brick path that starts at Boston Common and leads to 16 historical locations throughout the city, including Old North Church, Paul Revere’s house and Bunker Hill. What you may not know about me is that I am a huge history nerd, so you best believe that I dragged around a group of my peers in the snow to ogle at these crazy old sites. I was enamored. And Callie Teague only fell twice (sorry about your knee).
On Bostonian Italian food…
I knew immediately what my taste buds were about to experience when I stepped foot on North End, but I don’t know if I was ready. The size of this restaurant was similar to the size of a Quad’s living room. Most, if not all, of the waiters spoke Italian, and the bathroom was literally in the kitchen, which was very awkward. Trattoria Il Panino, thank you for the delicious ragu, copious amounts of bread and uncomfortable conversations with our Trump-supporting, Catholic waiter. Best Italian food I have probably ever had.
On Boston public transportation…
MBTA. Boston’s subway system. I know it is rude to ask, but how old are you? I get this 1978 vibe? That’s totally a guess. (Did a Google search after writing that, and it turns out operation began in 1897…yikes.) Anyway, you’re alright, and relatively easy to navigate, but every time we met, I felt like I needed to wash my hands afterwards. And I did.
On Harvard University…
I’m going to be honest here Harvard, you were underwhelming. I was definitely expecting more ivy. Also, Cambridge is nice, but smells like a stoner’s ashtray. You guys have a great burger restaurant though. Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage, thank you for allowing me to enjoy the same burger that Food Network hero Guy Fieri got to consume on his masterpiece of a show “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.” You guys make that area worth it.
On clam chowder…
CHOWDAH. What a dish. Also, sort of gross.
Boston, you’re a cool city rich with history, culture, food and entertainment that I only got to scratch the surface of with four days of tourism. Hopefully one day I will have the opportunity to travel back and experience more of what you have to offer, and also try these delicious baked beans that everyone seems to talk so much about. Keep on keeping on Boston.
