Life in New England, as it proves, can be difficult to navigate, especially when it's only the second day you've been here. Most of the day, I have to say, went very well. It was tiring at times, with all the walking, but very enjoyable to explore the city and it's many shops. The city juxtaposes the old colonial architecture with modern structures of buildings. It's an interesting thing to note. Today was a day to truly engrave in our minds, the good and the bad.
The morning went by smoothly: we caught the train on time and made it to New London, Connecticut. However, it was after the commute that things started to go downhill. After we arrived at the station, finding our way to Connecticut College became our most difficult task of the day. Calls to taxi companies were made, but strangely no company had any available cabs. The buses did not make a stop at the train station for a long, long time. We finally settled traveling by the way most mammals migrate in this world: walking.
Now, walking might not seem to be a bad choice, especially when you have no other option, but when you know that you have to make it to your destination in half an hour in 90-degree, humid weather with the sun beating down on your face, it's not pleasurable. I have learned that planning transportation ahead is very important to do when you have an appointment to make. We got lost a couple times trying to find our route to the campus, but the good thing was that we got to explore the city of New London, Connecticut. We finally made it to the college, drenched in sweat and tired after a long, long walk. Fortunately, the college staff was understanding of us and guided us to the information session which we were able to participate in.
Connecticut College seemed like a very interesting place to attend college. There is a bigger percentage of women attending the college than men, the student body does not exceed two thousand students, and there are interdisciplinary certificates available to students that add a layer to the declared major and/or minor. The certificates are a way of combining two or more passions into one that can be added along with the diplomas. Core classes are flexible, study abroad is very popular and dorms are integrated, regardless of graduation year. I find the college appealing, but I still am not sure if I would be able to go to college across the country.
We managed to catch a taxi back to our hotel and rested for awhile before we headed to Faneuil Hall Marketplace, near northern Boston. It was fun to finally explore another side of Boston, more specifically the busier, more city-like side of the town. We ended up dining there and had a nice time looking at all the tiny vendors and shops all crowded in the cobblestone streets. I have to say, New England clam chowder is quite delicious.
Tomorrow, it's Wellesley and Boston College that we will be visiting. Hopefully, we will not get lost this time.
The extremely slow internet is not allowing us to upload photos at this moment. Perhaps tomorrow.
Lupe,
ReplyDeletePerhaps one of the reasons the taxis were in such short supply is that New London only has 26,000 residents. By comparison, San Pablo has about 30,000 and El Cerrito 23,000. How many taxis do you think either of those cities have that are based in those cities?
Even alternative public transportation like buses would be in short supply in a burg that small.
Don't knock getting lost, Lupe. I've seen more of America by getting lost.