Ciao and 你好

In a last-ditch effort to explore Boston before my departure I heeded one of the suggestions given to me on my Cap trip. In Boston there is an Italian equivalent to China Town in the North End, I guess christened unofficially "Little Italy?" Anyways my friends from the Cap suggested I go to this little café called Caffe Dello Sport. I must be getting good at finding my way around town because I successfully navigated to the North End without any problems. On this day, which is seems almost like everyday all of a sudden, there was a chance for rain. I hoped that if I moved quick enough I would be able to get in and get out before the downpour started.

Walking into the North End was really like going to another country! Finally I've made it to Europe!...

But it wasn't....

*A little note on the animated pictures (or .gifs). For some reason I am using them often now because I think they do a very good job of complimenting my writing. They show a visual dimension, and in many ways added humor to my descriptions. I hope they are enjoyable.

Anyways, after walking down this narrow street, surrounded by little shops and stores I made it to Dello Sport. At first I thought I was in the wrong place because well it didn't really look like a café. I thought it was a store, but after walking past then walking back I went in.

Picture of the street

Random picture from the street

As soon as I walked in Italian words filled the air. Wait, had I entered a different world? No, but it definitely felt like it. It was actually really awesome because I have never heard someone speak Italian in person. I have seen it on TV and in movies, but not up close and in person. I guess that is another really cool aspect of living in America or a large city, you get to see so much of other cultures. While I have been in Boston I have heard many different languages, seen many different ethnicities, and observed different cultures. All of this in one place. I guess there was no need to go outside of the United States to experience a different culture...right? Yes, that is what I am going to tell myself for now...until I cross the pond.

Anyways, so I walk in and like I said everyone is speaking Italian. I will be honest, I panicked a little bit. When it comes to languages I suck. Spanish is probably my strongest, by a tiny bit (it was useful in Puerto Rico though). My french is at a very beginners stage and my Italian vocabulary consists of pizza, mozzarella, and maybe some other words that are associated with food...oh and "ciao" maybe...though I doubt I am pronouncing it right.

Caffe Dello Sport

Nonetheless I walk up to the counter and explain to the young gentlemen that I am from a far off land and have heard that the cannolis here the best in Boston! Ok, so it was more like "Hey I heard you guys have really good cannolis, could I have one?" The dramatic description creates a more glamorous scene. He asked me what kind I wanted, I probably looked confused because I didn't realize there were different kinds, so I just said that I would take whichever was his favorite...I mean he must know which ones are the best, he looked Italian.

With that he grabbed a chocolate covered cannoli shell and pipped it with the filing. Then he dipped the ends in chocolate chips and sprinkled the top with powdered sugar. Then he wrapped it up and handed to me, then I had to give him money- damn so much for a freebie.

When the cannoli came into my grasp, it was like the world stopped and heavenly light shined down form the plaster ceiling above. Angels came pouring out from all around and a sweet melody started playing. As I walked out the door I took my first bite and BAM! The taste was incredible! It was delicious, it was magnifico!

After exploring the streets a little more I decided to head on over to China Town to get my last bubble tea. I couldn't help myself. If you have not had a bubble tea drink before then unfortunately you cannot emphasize with my need to get one more before I left. So off to China Town I went to get one. This time I felt a little more like an expert when it came to ordering. It always seems a little confusing because the menu isn't very clear and I'm nervous as hell because most of the people there do not speak very good English, and I don't speak their language (so I am just as bad)... But it was successful and I got my fill...

On my return back to Government Center to get the green line I got sidetracked...by a 26¢ (yes that is cents) sign for coffee...

26 CENTS?! 26?! Wait...so a little over a fourth of a dollar...1 quarter and 1 penny for a cup of coffee...COFFEE?!? Am I imagining this?!?!

Now with all that excitement, of course I had to investigate.

At first I was really confused, naturally anyone, anyone who has bought coffee almost anywhere knows that coffee does not cost 26 cents, unless there were some strings attached...would I have to sell my soul to the devil, sell my kidney, give up my first born son to the coffee gods...?! Which one was it?

As I was standing in line this man approached me and asked if I had any questions. Naturally, I asked why the coffee was so cheap. His response was interesting. You see I was expecting an answer like, "We are the coffee company of the future. We are hear to compete with Starbucks and DunkinDonuts. We are a small company that buys free-trade beans only, and we have a direct source to our growers...and we are organic and environmentally friendly..." Seriously though, I was expecting a California hippy-like response that was going to be epic....instead...well it couldn't have been further from what I had thought.

The little coffee truck in all its glory

Instead, and I will only paraphrase this because reliving the disappointing moment will only bring sadness upon me. The gentleman told me that it was a marketing tool...you see the company they were marketing for is Vanguard...some kind of finance company or something like that...and apparently this company only charges its customers, 1/5 of the market average...so as a way to help people understand this concept, they used something we were all familiar with- coffee. From a marketing perspective I think it's a great concept. It is attention grabbing and easy to understand, but as myself and the gentleman learned, I was far, far, far, far, from using a company like Vanguard. Hell I have one more year of undergraduate education left...I am more worry about loans and financial aid then stocks and bonds...but nonetheless he appreciated my question and I definitely appreciated his response.

Nonetheless I got in line and waited to get my 26 cent coffee. As I was standing there...and this is when things got well weird. I usually don't smile at people in the city because well I am scared to...I don't know how they will respond. But this older woman in front of my seemed so nice and polite that I had to. So I smiled and she says..."Honey...you don't look like a coffee drinker..."

Hold up...wait a minute. This woman is passing judgement on me... not a coffee drinker? Little does she know I am a gold card member at Starbucks and have been one since 2011...

So I asked..."I don't?" I'm thinking to myself...ok what is it...the mustache, the long hair, the college student attire...? The Nike shoes?

She simply responds..."You look more like a tea drinker...." What wait!? Let's back the conversation up a second...a what!?

Pardon the language...but just go with it....

Ok yes I do drink tea, but I would choose a cup of coffee over tea. How does one look like tea drinker...does she not see the 70s porn mustache on my face?! Where does one get the tea idea from...

Anyways after that weird experience her and I just chatted for awhile. The line was kind of long so we just talked. I explained my Magellan Project to her, and she was really expressed. She was kind of shocked that we plan and carry-out these projects on our own and independently. She also really liked my research topic and we had a nice conversation about Native Americans attending Dartmouth and also Harvard. It was really nice. She was from the area, and actually worked as a juvenile advocate at the court...or something like that. It was really nice. I forgive her for the tea comment since we had about a 15 minute conversation.   

And with that ended one of my last days exploring or going to different places in the city. From here on out it was library, library, library....

I also mailed out a few postcards today too...here they are:

Each had something to do with my experience here. For instance bottom right is Bates Hall, the place where I have spent many hours writing/researching, top right is the CITGO sign by Kenmore Square...

Lesson of the day: Sometimes just a simple conversation can be the highlight of your day.