The Other Side of Beantown

When I went to Boston, my family and I focused on the history. Sam’s weekend in Boston is entirely different.

Sam starts Friday night at an Italian festival in East Boston. She learns how to toss a pie but enjoys chowing down more. She joins a biachi game before…entering a sausage eating competition?? She takes her place with a bunch of guys at the table. Let’s see if Sam is still standing after ten minutes. She stares in awe at her competitors as she takes her time with her sausages. At the end of the competition, Ian won. Someone get Sam some anti acid.

Sam meets up with an old friend, Glen, for a yoga class. She even gets a private lesson. He guides her through some of the poses. She thinks this is payback for some childhood taunting. Sam says good-bye to Glen and goes to find more food.

But first, she takes a trip to the Boston Commons to view a dragon dance by some Chinese Bostonians. They let Sam join after telling her how women wouldn’t have been allowed to do this in ancient times. Sam gets to play with the giant drum before going to Revere Beach for the food. She goes to Kelly’s and gets to go into the kitchen. They let her use the deep fryer, frying clams. Why am I not surprised? They next let her handle the window. We even get treated to a Bostonian accent when Sam asks for the tartar sauce.

After the rush, Sam goes to hang out on the beach. She watches people come to watch the sunset over the beach.

After the sun goes down, Sam goes to a swing dance club. She partners up with Rick, who guides her through the dances. She tells us that while the dancing was fun, her feet hurt. So what does Sam do? She goes to the bar, duh. Hey, the bartender mentions mocktails! We used to have those served at events at my college. I loved our strawberry daiquiri mocktails. She feels she’s in trouble because her bartender can make some great drinks.

Sam starts Sunday with a private sailing lesson at the Boston Sailing Center. They get the boat ready and wait for the wind to take them out to Boston Harbor. She and her instructor have to watch out for ships as it is an active harbor, much like boating around New York Harbor. She asks to see the USS Constitution and we get a shot of Old Ironsides herself.

Sam finishes at the Suffolk Downs, visiting the race horses. She tries to pick a winner. She watches as they parade the horses around and gets some advice from the locals. She puts money on horse number one. She was originally going to bet on “She’s on Fire,” who eventually wins the race. Sam goes to throttle the nice locals who encouraged her to switch. She bets on her friend’s horse, Hint Hint Hint. The horse comes in sixth. Sam’s determined to win. She bets on 2,5,6,9. Sam doesn’t win again. By the way, congrats to those who bet on Summer Bird at the Belmont and sorry to those who picked Mine that Bird.

Next week: Sam brings her mother and some friends on a cruise. Will they all survive?

Quote of the Episode:
“I’m getting into some rough waters with Gilligan.”—Sam at swing dancing

If you want to read about my trip to Boston last summer and/or see my pictures, they are right here on my blog under my August 2008 entries!