Boston for Free

Cities can often be expensive and Boston is not exception. However I am happy to say that there are a number of things you can do in Boston for free or for very cheap! I love seals so it should come as no surprise that I love the New England Aquarium. What I don't love is their very expensive price for entry. Lucky for me you can stand outside and watch the seals swimming and playing for hours at a time, for FREE! Last time Rick and I were even lucky enough to catch a training session and learn some more about my favorite pinipeds, the Harbour Seal!

Seal Kiss!

Boston Cruise

My roommate went on a cruise around the Boston harbor a couple of weeks ago, and she won four free tickets for another one. Since Rick and I were moving out soon we decided it would be a fun last hurrah!
There was great music, lots of great people watching, and more than plenty to drink!
Plus we got beautiful views of Boston and the harbor. Definitely a great way to celebrate summer in Boston!!

Dragonboat Festival

This last weekend was the annual (and awesome) Dragonboat festival in Cambridge. While people were racing along the Charles, I was lazily watching them and eating fantastic chana masala. I like events that involve me eating and being lazy while other people are working hard. In addition to the boat races there were performances of drumming, dancing, and martial arts.

The drumming was fantastic and so much fun to watch, especially for the last piece where they started flipping sticks and one guy even jumped over his drum.

All the while rowers were rowing, and we were eating.

Here you can see Rick sampling a dish, he was not as happy with it as I was with my chana masala, but when someone doesn't like rice, cooked vegetables, or spicy food it can be hard to find something they'll enjoy (at least at a festival that features asian foods). Luckily for us we were able to get him a whole pile of naan which was deemed edible! Since the festival was free we ended up having a beautiful and exciting day along the river for just the cost of the bus ride there, and whatever food we wanted to sample! Hurrah for city living and cheap entertainment!!

Beautiful Boston

Spring and now summer have officially sprung in what now really feels like home, Boston. My roomate and I spent yesterday walking around the city. There is nothing like Boston Commons for free entertainment. Whether you enjoy people watching, soaking up the sun with a good book, or playing frisbee, this is the place to be in the summer. Fun street performers and roasted nuts are also an added bonus. I must now get back to enjoying my beautiful sun-soaked city (at least before the thunder storms start!!).

Birthday Extravaganza

Yesterday was my birthday, which I am honored to share with Terry Pratchett and Harper Lee!! Before the actual day of my birthday though I had quite the birthday extravaganza!! Between all my family and friends I must have had four celebrations and five birthday cakes before it was even my birthday!!
Here you can see birthday celebration part IV (maybe?), Rick got a quartet of delicious chocolate goodies for me!! Since I'm not a big cake person I loved this, along with the birthday tiramisu, birthday key lime pie, and birthday bananas foster that I celebrated with!! I had to work last night but Rick brought sushi to work along with my presents so it was a great celebration!
I think my favorite part so far though was after dinner at Legal Seafoods on Sunday I went to check out the seals in front of the aquarium. While the aquarium may be a little expensive, the seals are completely free and I could have spent hours hanging out with them and enjoying their antics.

With all the celebrations, love from friends and family, and the great weather yesterday, this has to be the best birthday ever!! Here's hoping 23 is even better than 22!!