BOSTON WEEKEND WITH NEW FRIENDS

Saturday Paul and I made our first trip together into BOSTON! Forecast: very snowy. But we had made long term plans with Gordon and Thea (friends of Anna and Jeremy- cousin/husband) to meet up for the Boston Wine Expo and lunch. We weren't going to call it off due to a little snow. After all, we are from MN.

We mapped out our day the night before, and headed out the door at 9:45. By 10:25 we made it to Malden, where we were parking our car and hopping on the train (subway - called T). Our goal was to make the 10:25 T into Boston. Oops. The snow slowed us down, and the fact we messed up our directions on the way there...

When we got inside, we had no idea how to purchase tickets! There are ticket machines, so that was the obvious choice, but what options?! Subway/Bus, Commuter Rail, Charlie Card (or something) and some other selections. We initially chose Commuter Rail, and then were asked which route: 1A, 2A, B, C, D, E, F, etc. What?? That's when my freak out started. 

We had to ask––I mean Paul–– had to ask a gentleman next to us. He helped us purchase tickets. The payment wasn't working. Turns out the machine we were using didn't work either. Oh Boy! Eventually we got our tickets, went through the T doors and made it to the train. 

Now... which exit do we get off? With so many options, we really didn't know the closest one. Paul had to look up in his phone. We decided on State Street, with a 25 minute walk... through the snow. It was slightly miserable. BUT, Boston was really pretty. Due to the poor conditions, nervous about being late and cold/snowy weather I didn't take any pictures of my first trip to Boston.

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The Wine Expo was amazing. We went to a Kevin Zraly's seminar, who has the best selling wine book in the world! Impressive. He was very funny.

This is what some people are saying about the guy: 

“... the #1 wine education bestseller in the world.”

—2010 Gourmand Hall of Fame - Wine Books

“Kevin is the the finest wine educator I have known,
a naturally gifted speaker, exceptionally articulate,
refreshingly humble and candid. He has already made enormous contributions to wine education
and appreciation.”

—Robert Parker -- The Wine Advocate

“Zraly is the most talented, effective and
entertaining wine teacher I have met”

- Michael Apstein of The Boston Globe

“Zraly's own appetite for wine is the reference
point for much of his edgy classroom humor”

- Robert Bierck of Business Week Online

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We had lunch afterward at Durgin's, which was pretty good. Gordon said the waiters are sassy. Our waiter was a little sassy, but mostly strange. We had great conversation with Gordon and Thea and enjoyed our activities, including the long snow storm walk through all of Boston.

The website for Durgin's Park is very cool. I would say a nicer than the actual place, so nice marketing by them! 

On the way back I did sneak one pic of the T... so JK I did take a picture.

Cheers!

Amber

NEWS: Paul started his new job at Konarka. He is so smart and good at everything I know he will do well! It is a lot of work jumping into the position. The guy he's replacing was there for 2.5 years (6 month contract being renewed each term).

Hopefully just one more week of Crazy next door!!

It's my Dad's birthday and Grandma Shirley's birthday tomorrow. Happy birthday!