Waiting at Penn

So I came back to Boston. Liz's dad needed some extra help at his store and I could use the money so bam. The sooner I got up there the better so I found a train that would leave Penn at 3:15 A.M and would arrive in Boston at 7:40. (cost of ticket $78) Tommy dropped me off at Huntington State to take the 11:30 into Penn which by the time I would arrive, would give me a 2 and a half hour hold over.

When I got to Penn I went up the stairs to wait at the Amtrack area. I bought my tickets and dropped off my bags at the waiting area. Bored, I decided to walk around the station for a bit. The upper portion of the station was pretty empty. Shops had their metal gates down denying me much needed Trident and janitors rode mini zambonis waxing the floors. I did two laps around the level and when I got bored of the Mike's Hard Lemonade ads I went back to the waiting area

The chairs were a very ugly shade of blue that looked like something even the 70s would have found offending. They were gloriously uncomfortable with little back support and zero neck support. The guy sitting to my right was sleeping, using the classic travelers position of the legs cross and arms folded in an attmept to stay warm while his head bobbed suffering from self induced whip lash. To my left a man was asleep with his mouth open and legs all the way strecthed out so he was about a 135 degree angle. His girlfriend was asleep face down in the crotch of his black levi jeans. I swear to God if I didnt want to look like a perv I would have taken a picture..the memories would have to do.

In my quest to stay awake I went downstairs in search of Iced Coffee and was greated with the all to familar late night Saturday night Exodus of Penn Station.

Like Salmon or some sort of migratory bird, the drunks of Long Island and New Jersey were making their way back home. Girls in bright dresses, skirts, and outfits that must have looked great at 9:00 now limped and stumbled home.

The over controling friend holding her girlfriend's arm passed me. She had the grip of a British nanny as she guided her drunken buddy to the bathroom to throw up that last shot of Jager. I walked past a very tan and blond couple still slow dancing in front of Rose's Pizza. The cops shook their heads and laughed as Fred Astaire attemped to twirl his partner and she hit into a garbage can.

At first the drunks were in isolate clusters around the station. Propping themselves against columns or ticket machines. Some sat cross legged rehyrdating themsleves surronded by water and gatorade bottles. These were the ones that were the worse off, pushing themselves away from the large group. Maybe they were isolated like drunken lepers.

I stepped over a puddle of vomit and got closer to the main corridor of the Long Island Rail Road. There was my Dunken Donuts but also the drunks. It reminded me of a nature video when you see seals lining the beach just hanging out, I imagined the smell was similar.

On the way in they must have all been so well dressed and smelt like designer cologne/perfume. Walking through the station proud ready to conquer the night. Now they resemebled a retreating army. Instead of missing limbs you have missing purses and debit cards. Hair that at one point was jelled or straightened was now frizz. Buttons were lose and heels abandoned. Some were now left behind, to face a long cab home caused by a hookup to be forgotten.

I navigated my way through them, the only non-uniformed sober person there. Some were drinking beer from brown bags while others consumed pretzals, pizza, and any other carb they could get their hands on. I honestly felt that I was invisible to them. My sobriety had made me invisible to them.

I walked past a girl who was leaning face down against the column. Her right boob was two seconds from popping out. A concerned woman was trying to talk to her asking if she was ok while her drunk b/f assured the Samaritan that he could handle the situation.

I got my coffee and bought a water for the girl with no face. When I passed them again she was standing up leaning against the garbage can, mammary safetly concealed. I gave the b/f the bottle of water and the Romeo thanked me then drank some Bud Light.

On the lower level you have young people from the suburbs in nice clothes ready to go home and nurse their hangover. On the upper level you have the city's homeless sleeping by the entrances of the station. By one door you have to walk over other human beings to make it to the stair case. These people have no where to go the next day.

People sleeping in Penn by choice and some by neccesity

Just a Walk in the Park

On the last day both Alex and I got a chance to sleep in which was great. We ate breakfast and watched some show about people who wanted to be superheros. It was pretty funny watching these grown men and women running around in homemade costumes. Could not think of a better way to start the last day then eating some of Mama Bea's Apple Butter.

Paul dropped us off in Wellsely Hills and the weather was absolutly gorgous. I could not belive that it was the last day, that we were ten miles from our destination. So we walked and our pace was faster than it was normally. Our frienc Scottie called up Alex and we stopped and ate lunch at his apartment across the street from B.C. Part of me didnt want to continue on, I didnt want this whole thing to end. I was having fun, we were doing something different that seemed to excite stragers and friends alike...now it will all be over.

Boston kind of snuck up on me. The suburban homes of Newton gradually giving way to large office buildings and apartments. Seeing the T go by made me think, "wow we are here". Will met up with us when we were on Beacon Street. I was glad that he could meet up with us for a bit he is one of my favorite Red Sox fans. The last two miles went kind of quick, the Citgo sign was visible and I felt my stomach drop when it first came into view.

Fenway kind of just appeared on us. Liz was there with Iced Coffee and so was Josh and Ben from the Red Sox Stories. This was is it, it was one of those moments that at the time means so much but the reality does not set in until later. We turned the corner of Yawkey Way and both touched the buidling right under te plaque dedicated to Tom Yawkey. I gave Bea a big hug because without him this whole thing could not have been possible.

Alex, Will, Liz and I were led into Fenway Park to be interviewd. The groundscrew was out touching up the field for tonights game. NESN was setting up a chair for their pregame show and Alex and I took in the beauty of Fenway Park. Seeing a stadium empty is a sight, seeing Fenway Park getting its final touches like a movie star before a shoot is awe inspiring. This is how baseball stadiums should be, small and cozy. Every seat a great a view, and in some cases people sitting on top of the players. If you have not been there, you need to go. Make a pilgrimage, smell the grass, see the bluest blues and the greenest green you will ever see. I was glad to be sharing this moment with people who would appreciate it so much.

So we went back to Liz's, showered and went to a Marist Alumni event at Jillians before the game. Free food and a ballgame with my friends was a perfect way to ends this thing. Sox lost and Beckett got shelled which made me happy. I sang Sweet Caroline with the rest of the fans, booed the wave, and jumped up when I saw the Yankee score. Speaking of the Yanks while Alex and I walked the Yanks went 10-5, 11-5 if you count the game Alex and I went on the 17th. Not bad, not great but not bad.

Finally, I want to thank Alex. Bea organized this trip and if it wasnt for him I never would have made it out of the Bronx, I mean it. When I did not have my hydropack he would stop from time to time and make sure I had some water to drink. When I fell behing he would stop and wait for me. Talking with hime during the walk was great and it made the time and miles go by. Hes going to Viginia Tech for his Masters and will be a T.A. so wish him the best of luck.

I will probably post a few more times but thanks for reading this while we walked.