Done and Done

As reported previously excursions to the North End (Italian Side of town) and a Bo-Sox game were set for Wendesday and Thursday nights during my Boston excursion. Planned and accomplished. Parking in the North End was impossible ( a couple guys had a rental car) but after 15 minutes of circling one way streets about as wide as my front door, we got a great spot (probably for local residents) within a block or so of many of the authentic restaurants and Hanover Street, the main drag. We were smart though and got off the main drag and found a joint that seated maybe 40-50 people max and had dinner there. Good wine, great food (I had my standard Veal Parmesean) and good company. Following we ended up at a place called Mike's Pastries. When in Boston, find this place if given the chance. AWESOME Tirmasu and tons of delicisous looking candy, gillato, pies, etc. Don't know how some of it would hsip but worth it if you are a yankee and yern for this stuff or if you are asoutherner and want a real taste of some of these delicacies for the pallett. It rained off and on most of the time we were out but our time on the streets themselves were pretty dry so that helped.
Thursday we were on a mission. Red Sox tickets were to be had. Of the 7 in class, 6 intended to go and three were able to secure in advance. The other three of us journeyed downtown via a cab to the T-line and on in via this route this time around. Snagged Right field bleacher seats for $50/ea but three in a row. They faced for about 23 but just to get to go to a stadium that old with that much history was worth every penny. Who knows if I will ever get back in there before a new stadium is built as this was my forth Boston trip and first time they were in town or it was even baseball season. Had a couple hot dogs, spicy brown mustard, relish and all, peanuts, and a couple beers. It was straight out of Field of Dreams minus score keeping and James Earle Jones. I was like a kid ina candy store. Got back to the hotel about 12:30 with plenty of picso n the camera phone as the digital stayed in Charlotte due to my lack in faith of fun for the week and inability to read an online schedule in advance.
Return trip was rather uneventful though I think I could teach whoever runs shuttle logisitics at the Charlotte Airport a thing or twelve. Class was good. Got to see more of Boston than my prior trips combined and now I am ready to start having a normal life less grad school here in Charlotte from here through the duration.