One week left

With only one week left I am not entirely sure how I feel. Sure I am happy that I finally will be going back home, two months on the road alone has been rough, but then on the other hand I've grown accustomed to it. I do what I want, when I want, however I want. These past two months have spawned a certain degree of, dare I say, independence?

*originally an unpublished blog post that I decided to publish later even though it was never finished.

Reading, Writing, Motivation

What a week...it honestly felt like it just flew by...where is it all going? It's funny to compare my thoughts and feelings of this place when I arrived here...it is like night and day. I guess I was sick with culture shock for the first week, which isn't surprising since that is how it was like when I was in Boston.

Nonetheless, this week has been a BLAST! It honestly is perhaps the best week I have had on this Magellan trip. I'm almost as shocked as you are....especially after all my posts from Boston and all the amazing things I saw there...how could something here...in the middle of the wilderness top Boston? Well, I think when it all comes down to it, it is that small town culture. 

Let me start from the beginning....

On Monday after catching up on blogging and doing some writing I went to get some lunch. There is a BBQ place in town that I was dying, literally and figuratively, to try. The place is in the basement of a building right off the street...it looks a little like I dungeon from the outside (I may have some pictures somewhere of it). The place was empty, well just about, but to me that is always a bit of a red flag...empty places usually means not very good food. But I proceeded in and ordered some food. I ended up sitting at the bar, trust me, you will feel ten times better sitting alone at a bar than across from an empty chair. 

Anyways the bartender was really nice and since they weren't busy she had time to talk. So that's what I did for my entire lunch break. Another worker wondered over and we all probably sat there and just talked about Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, and Vermont for probably close to two hours. It was great, especially since they gave me the "411" on the town and different places in the area that I had to try or see...One thing we did talk about was...maple syrup! And they just so happened to have a little in the back and I got to try it...Move on over Log Cabin and Aunt Jemima...this stuff was amazing. It was smooth, thin, and tasted a little like butterscotch, and apparently this stuff was grade B...Makes me wonder what grade A tastes like, that means I'll have to investigate! 

While there I inquired about good hair cutters in the area. My hair was getting way too long...I may have been able to braid it, which made it too long in my book. The only problem is, is that I am very, very, very protective over my hair. No idea why, but I already found my barber and having to have someone else touch this locks of curls was going to be heart wrenching....it needed to be done though. So, like I was saying I have been asking around but the places that were being suggested to me just weren't cutting it...they included a "men's salon" which I didn't understand...I wanted a barber....they know how to cut, period. I didn't want anything fancy...I just wanted it cut. One of the workers at the BBQ place suggested the barber shop right upstairs...figuring I had nothing to loose I went in.

At first I was a little concerned. It was a barber shop, but two women were working. Nothing against women, but I had always thought barbers were men. I sat down and waited my turn. They seemed really nice, but I was still kind of nervous...especially when I noticed everyone was paying in cash. You seen, getting cash is hard...there are certainly no PNCs in the area, so getting money out of an ATM means a service charge, and the whole thing is a mess...

The one lady finally finished though and asked if I was ready, as soon as I got up I asked her if they only took cash, she said yes so I said ok I'll go get some, just take the next person and I'll wait. She smiled and said just get in the chair and when I am done just leave something, an ID or a backpack and go to the ATM. She didn't want me to come back and then have to wait in line behind a bunch of more people...She was so sweet and it was such a nice gesture.

All while she cut my hair we talked about Vermont, New Hampshire, maple syrup, you know the usual things a tourist would ask about. She then told me about a bakery that was across the street, which I had seen but never went in. She raved about their "crullers" which are like a doughnut. Anyways, when she was done cutting my hair I went and get some cash to pay her. She did a fantastic job, I was very surprised. I paid her and gave her a tip, which she declined. She handed it back to me and said, "Go across the street and get a cruller." And of course I died inside because it was such a nice gesture. 

The barber shop & BBQ place...

I mean lets break down the situation, young kid walks into your shop, hair looks like a mop, doesn't know what he wants, so you the barber have to kind of figure it out for him, then it takes you forever because there is so much hair, he is talking to you the entire time while you're cutting it, and then he has to go across the street to get cash...but you still refuse the tip so he can go buy a cruller....She might be the greatest woman in the world (behind my blood relatives who are women). Of course I couldn't let her not have a tip, so I said, "I can't, you did such a good job, and were so polite and talked to me. Listen if yo don't take it, I'll have to buy you one too and bring it over" to which she replied, "Honey, I'm on a diet, I'm going on vacation" to which I responded, "You look good, now I'm leaving it right here..." It was such a great time and I was really impressed with my experience.

I eventually did try the cruller. It was delicious, here's a picture:

Heaven

On Tuesday I met with a professor here at the college who is doing a digital humanities project on Samson Occom. She is transcribing his manuscripts in the Dartmouth archives and also scanning them so they can be available to view online. Many libraries and also historical societies are starting to do this because it preserves their materials and also makes them available to people who may not be able to travel to the society, etc. Anyways, I met with her and one of her research assistants in the special collections library.

Having the opportunity to observe her work was really cool. They showed me how they transcribe the manuscripts and also what the online database is going to look like. Of course I had to ask questions, such as why are you doing this, how do you make editorial decisions about transcribing...etc...etc. They asked about my research so I explained what I was doing and also information about the Magellan Project. The research assistant, who is a senior here, said she was jealous that W&J had such a project and Dartmouth didn't...Mark a win for the small liberal arts college from Pennsylvania. Whoot! Whoot!

While there I learned a lot about the project, I was really impressed with how large it was and how many different people were involved in it. The project was not just limited to English majors or professors, but included ITL (technology people), American studies people, and also a student who majored in the classics. It is certainly an interesting web of people who are strung together to work on the project- very cool! I also had the opportunity to get up and close with some of Occom's journals, which is what they are currently transcribing.

Having someone just ask questions and seem interesting in my research is really heart-warming? I say that because you pour so much energy into a project, yet, to the average person Wheatley and Occom mean nothing (sorry guys so offense but its true). Now I'm certainly not saying you aren't capable of understanding my research, but lets face the facts, you don't really care so much about the research as much as you are happy that I am doing it. Does that make sense? You are happy, that I am happy, because I am doing something I like...I mean it makes perfect sense. Here's a perfect example, I had a friend who completed a Magellan project in Boston last summer, she was a chemistry research assistant,  I think...anyways...when she explained her project I had no idea what she was talking about. I mean I understood the basics, but I have very limited knowledge of chemistry...so I was more happy that she was happy, than excited about her research...I hope that makes sense...it's not a bad thing...but sometimes when you meet someone who can understand your work, it exhilarating because they get you.

Back to the meeting...so the professor and I talked so more about Dartmouth and its relation to Occom. I was curious as to how it saw him, and the college's relationship with Native Americans. It was a very interesting discussion, and then we talked about things that I should do while I am here...specifically things I should see. Apparently there are really famous murals here that I have to see...so needless to say you will probably see them in a blog post soon. Also, since our meeting was so short, it only lasted about an hour, the professor invited me to dinner so we could talk more about my research, etc. It was a very nice gesture, probably the nicest offered to me this trip.

Looking out over the first floor of the research library...

As for my research...a lot of things have been working out really well. They are definitely coming together and I am starting to see a clear picture of my work. I still have an uphill battle, but I'm getting to the top, slowly, but I will make it.

General pictures...

Lesson of the day: Keep your head up- things will always turn around!

  

Where am I again?

Hello! Hello! You are probably thinking, probably not but let's pretend, where has he been? Yes unfortunately I haven't been avidly blogging like the past but that is because I think I am still trying to get used to my surroundings. So this blog post is going to be a mash up of things from that last few days.

Life in New Hampshire and Vermont has been really interesting. It is much different from the city, which isn't really a surprise since these towns are much smaller. So I guess now would be a good time to address what I am doing in NH/VT since I think some people are a little confused with where I am.

First a geography lesson, here is New Hampshire and Vermont:

I am staying right in the middle of the map, in the Hanover/Lebanon area. I conduct my research at Dartmouth College, which is located in Hanover, NH, however I stay in housing in White River Junction, Vermont. So technically my project is taking place in two states- BOGO! (buy one get one free)

An average day for me is as follows...Monday thru Friday I get up at 6am and catch a bus at around 7am. I have about a 30-40 minute bus ride to Hanover, NH where Dartmouth is located. While I am on the campus I do research in the library, read scholarly articles online, write portions of my paper, and blog (since I have wifi). At around 5pm I have to catch the bus back since it only runs from morning to early evening. Once I get back I make something to eat and go to sleep so I can start all over. 

Here are some pictures of the town:

Train station- Amtrak etc

Formerly the town Post Office

WRJ (White River Junction) is an old railroad town. The tracks run right through the town and are still active, very active in fact. I hear probably 4-5 trains come through daily. As are many RR towns in recent years (not that recent but you get my drift) it is pretty rundown. It reminds me a lot of my own hometown back home. From the pictures and just the layout it appears it used to be the happening place back in the day, but no longer is that the case. All the basic necessities for life have moved elsewhere, meaning there isn't a grocery store in the town, or anything like that. The only thing that is left are a few cafes, pizza shop, hair cut places, a frame and yarn shop (ya I don't understand how they have any business), and some offices. In order for me to do almost anything I have to take the bus, so I rely very heavily on the public transportation system or I have to walk 10-15 minutes to somewhere close to the town.   

Hanover on the other hand, the college town home to Dartmouth is a small functioning country (not really, but it has everything). It's not a surprise but like any college town there are students that have needs so of course there is going to be economic stimulation so there are plenty of stores and places to eat. The town is really nicely kept, great sidewalks, clean streets, new places, and traffic lights. The college campus is beautiful. It actually reminds me a lot of Harvard, and even W&J. It has that old colonial look with plush lawns and brick buildings with large columns. Here's some pictures of the campus:

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity

So what are some notable things that have happened to me in the last few days...well let's see.

One is certainly the unexpected fire drill that the hotel preformed on the Fourth of July. I was sitting in my room doing some work and I heard this loud buzzing. I cracked open the door and realized that it was an alarm. I assumed it was the fire alarm...but I mean what do you do? Yes obviously get out of the building but does one use the fire exits? Is it a drill? Should I act like it is real? These are the questions that anyone, anyone would have in an office building, a hotel, even a store...is this real? So I walked down the main stairs to the lobby where there were people just hanging out...sitting in chairs talking...so then I was confused. Is this a fire drill? I smelt burnt food, but I didn't really think anything of it. The lady at the desk informed us that the dispatcher would prefer we relocate to across the street....and I am thinking "What the hell does that mean?".....is there a fire? Yes? No? I don't know? Then some firetrucks came and firemen got out...So I am thinking, ok there is a fire...great...just my luck...and then ten minutes later the fireman comes over and interrogates us about who was cooking in the kitchen...of course no one answers...hell I hadn't even been in the kitchen yet. So after that we just went back in.

Apparently, just for clarification, there was not a fire but someone burnt food in the oven causing the alarms to go off.

My first experience on the free public transport bus was terrifying. Honestly though I felt much more comfortable on the subway in Boston than the small bus. I have no idea why, I think it might be because the subway stopped a lot, people didn't talk, and I could always get off anywhere and walk...where as in my new situation I can't. The bus travels over long distances and I can't just get off anywhere. 

As I said my first trip was terrifying. How do I use the bus...do I pull the string...what times does it come....I mean all these questions were bouncing around my head.     

Inside of the small bus...

I actually tweeted from the bus on my first trip. Here's a peek for those tweeterless people.

I felt that way for multiple reasons. I won't go into all of them, but I think you'll start to understand why I felt this way as I explain a few other of the incidents that happened. But on this first ride I was just very overwhelmed. I didn't know exactly what I was doing or where I was going. Everyone on the bus seemed to know each other and they talked the entire ride. It was like a barber shop or a gossip place...all these people did was complain about other people, talk about things happening in the town like flooding, or other stuff. It was like being stuck right back into high school. Then this older woman sat next to me. She was a sweetheart but I don't know if she was all there and I felt obligated to talk to her. She was really hard to understand and kept telling me that she hadn't been to this town for four months because she broke her hip, I think. So that situation freaked me out...but it wouldn't be the only one.

I took the bus to Hanover and just walked around the town. On the ride home though the bus slowed down at a stop and there were these two people waiting- a man and woman. The driver slowed down, threw open the doors, yelled out "[Name] you are too drunk, you're not getting on the bus" then slammed them closed and sped away. Here I am sitting there freaked out...because I am thinking what the hell just happened. Then the people behind me are talking about it, and I start to think of the worst case scenarios. What if they are pissed because that was their friend and they attack the driver? If it happens, where are my exits? Can I jump out of a moving bus? Do I call 911? Would they let me go? I mean typical Dave freak out moment. Nothing of course happened.

On my most recent ride I overheard some of the passengers talking about what I think were hard drugs. It was hard not to hear, and honestly I didn't want to listen but I couldn't help it...they were talking loud and I just overheard. From now on I put my headphones in and turn my music up really loud...pray a little...and just hope I make it to the next stop. Ok, so I don't do that...and the bus rides are not that bad...I do not feel like I am in any danger but that is honestly what has happened.

Sometimes, yes I feel very uncomfortable but I think that just comes with new places. Rest assured reader, if you are concerned don't be, all is well. I am sure things like this were occurring when I was in Boston, but I just didn't know.

My research has been going really well, and I actually contacted a few professors here about their research and field of study and I got some really cool replies. One professor is working on a project that involves Samson Occom and she said she would meet with me, and another professor who unfortunately is not on campus said she would correspond with me over email and answer any questions I had. It's really nice to see faculty members who want to talk to undergraduates and hear what you are working on. It's motivational because here is someone in the field, a scholar, who is taking time out of their day to hear you talk, or ramble on, about your project...it makes you feel important, good, like you are actually doing something right. I tip my hat to these professors, thank you!

Here is the library I have been held up in doing research:

No idea what this is...it looks like Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer 

Lesson of the day: Reach out to people, you might be surprised at what happens.    

The Struggles

...would be the title of the movie or book about my life. That or maybe the Trials and Tribulations of... would be more appropriate...either way...it would be something about overcoming challenges. Maybe that should be the pseudo-name of my Magellan Project....Struggles: the Journey North. That has a good ring...perhaps I'll publish a memoir once this is over.

Leaving Boston [which there will be a Boston post as a review...I just haven't gotten around to it yet] was unbelievably hard. I think the city knew I was leaving, so it decided to make my last 48 hours there a living hell. Before writing this post I was thinking to myself, is it starting to seem like you always complain about things? My initial response to my own question [oh great...now I have reverted to talking to myself...yep being alone has finally caught up with me...off to the looney bin] was yes, yes you do but, but, but that is ok. Because in the end, this blog is an outlet for me, a way to cope with all of these challenges and struggles. I may seem like I complain a lot, but what you don't see is the smile or grin that comes across my face when things just don't go the way they should. It is weird...and it is something that only started recently. I guess it is my way of looking at the bright side of something, or finding that silver lining...but while I will complain I take each moment here as a learning experience and even though sometimes things such...I am glad they happened because I can grow from them....

Ok, enough of the deep philosophical early morning life discussion. That's enough of a emotional aside for the day. Back to the story...

As I was saying...my last 48 hours were complete hell. For starters my checkout at Emmanuel College was one sheet of paperwork away from being a catastrophe. Apparently when I checked-in, through no fault of my own, I didn't complete the right paperwork. It was because I was temporarily in a different room than I was assigned so there was some...confusion? In the end I was packed and ready to leave, I had already called the cab and it was just a few minutes from arriving when I went to the front desk to inform the girl that I was checking-out. She said I needed to fill out some paperwork, which I figured I would have to, since being an RA at W&J I knew the ropes.

She flipped through the files over and over until she finally asked me if I even filled out papers when I arrived. I told her that I didn't think so, then she was confused, I was confused...the guy she called was confused. At that moment, as we are all standing in the lobby, my taxi arrives...awkward. I told them that I had to go, and the guy just handed me a sheet of paper and said to sign it...in a hurried fashion I scanned over it and signed it. I grabbed all my stuff and left....or so I thought.

I hadn't grabbed all my stuff, in fact I left a piece of my iPhone charger in the room, and I had a bit of a mishap with the taxi. That is a story I just cannot tell because as much as it pained me at that moment, reliving it would be like putting myself through a paper-shredder. Take my word for it, the "mishap" was horrible and embarrassing.

[Flashback]

Ok, so I forgot to mention...the night before I was supposed to catch my bus I read over my tickets. My ticket to return to Boston on July 31st- Check....my ticket to go to Hanover, NH on June 1st- Check....

JUNE? NO! Instantly I began to panic...I kept looking at the ticket...hoping, nay praying that the 6 was going to change to a 7 and all would be well. If you're not catching on...accidentally or irresponsibly I purchased a ticket for June 1st, instead of July 1st...which was a big deal since I was supposed to get on a bus that next morning.

I immediately bought a new ticket that night because the bus website made it seem like there weren't any refunds or date changes... But then the next morning I decided to call just to double check...apparently...the tickets were good up to 6 months...so I guess I didn't need to buy another.

WHY!?! WHY!?! WHY!?! Must companies make it unbelievably difficult for their customers. So the point of not putting something like that on your website is...for paranoid people like myself to get trapped and buy another ticket...probably not but come on guys...the same thing goes for the taxi incident- which we shall never speak of  - could have been avoided had their been more information provided for the customer... At this point I am starting to loose faith in our capitalistic business ways here...they seem way too aggressive.

With a new ticket in hand I arrived at Boston South Station to board my bus. I got there probably an hour to an hour and half early just because my luck was already terrible, so I figured I should probably play everything safe. I first went to the wrong part of the station...I was in the train part for awhile until I realized that there was a "bus" section across the ways...so I dragged myself over there.

I may be playing the mellow-dramatic card here...buuuuut I have never been somewhere so dirty. It sounds terrible to say but I am being 100% honest. The bus station was one of my most filthiest places I have been in Boston...far worse than any of the subway stations...or the streets. It was dark...dirty...crowded.

Arriving so early didn't help because I ended up waiting forever. I went to the terminal that was for the bus I was taking but it was the only terminal that didn't have chairs or anything. Thirty minutes before our scheduled departure, the bus was still not there. A group of people arrived and we were all standing there starring aimlessly out the window...

Back of the "bus" even though it was a "coach"

The bus did arrive right before the departure time. I figured that there would be plenty of room since it was just coming from the airport...I thought to myself, how many people could honestly get on at the airport?

My reaction upon entering the bus...

Apparently a lot...and it didn't help that just like when I boarded the train people ran to get in line and I didn't make it in time so I was one of the last people to board...Something that I thought was really interesting was that I have talked a lot on this blog about chivalry.  

Lets break this down- chivalry: courteous behavior, esp. that of a man toward women: their relations with women were models of chivalry and restraint. 

Ok so "that of a man towards women" so what is "that of a woman towards men"...so I couldn't find a word but I did see that someone described it as "lady-like"...well let me tell you, the bus had none of it.

I needed a window seat because I tend to get car-sick at times. It really depends on the day, but I wanted to play it safe since luck was not in my favor. Every window seat on the bus either had a person in the seat, or a backpack...I ended up just sitting next to a backpack until a guy came and I had to get up and let him in and sit back down in the aisle seat. More on the fellow later, but the woman in front of   me and in the seat next to me seemed, seemed like they were going to have the same problems. They both were sitting next to backpacks in aisle seats like me.

It wasn't until we were probably 10 minutes into the movie that the driver put on, Cinderella, why he chose that I have no idea because everyone on the bus was at least over 20...couldn't we have something a little more enthralling than a unbelievably children mind distorting Disney propaganda film...it wasn't until 10 minutes into this that I realized that these two women lied! LIARS! They both placed the bags on those seats to make people, like me, think they were sitting with someone when they weren't! How dare they!

And then to make matters worse they sat in the aisle seats still....who does that?! At this point in my 48 hours of hell, I was in no mood for such trickery. And it didn't help that my seat-mate...had was apparently having some hygiene problems...As soon as he sat down I smelt a foul smell, but I figured it was the bus...nope it was him. At about halfway through the trip he leaned over and informed me that he had been on three planes and thus he apologized for the smell....

.....
.....
.....

One of the most awkward moments and conversations of my trip, the subway conversations still take the cake but still I could have died. It wasn't that I am being dramatic or yuppie...but it was just weird. He even made an awkward laugh at the end...like something a used car salesman might say at the end of buy a car that is going to breakdown on the way out of the lot...If I only had the memory gun like on Men in Black I would be set.

The scenery on the ride was amazing. Once we got out of the city and populated parts it was beautiful. Huge lush forests covering large mountainous hills... signs for moose crossings. Large ravines and huge pine trees towered over the landscape. I wish I could have gotten a picture but the windows of the bus were tinted and it was have been futile. Before I knew it we were pulling into Hanover, New Hampshire. It surprisingly didn't feel like it took three hours...I mean it actually did but it felt a lot shorted (thank God).

I got off the bus and needed a taxi. The people at the place I am staying at suggested when I was planning this trip, to go into the hotel where the bus dropped me off and ask if they could call me a cab...now what is wrong with this picture. I didn't see it at first either...but think about it...

Person walks into Hotel A and asks for a cab to Hotel B... Opps. It may not seem like that big of a deal but this area is really small...It would be like going into Starbucks and asking if they have Dunkin Donuts or if they could tell you where the nearest one was.

Luckily the lady at this hotel was unbelievably kind and called a cab for me. I didn't sense any awkwardness until she asked me where I was going and I blurted out the name of the hotel, and then she just kind of looked at me and relayed the message to the cab company. I would have loved to stay at this place though, it was right across the street from where I am doing my research but it was an actual hotel, and not interim-housing like I have...not to mention it was unbelievably expensive.

Anyways, I waited about a half hour for this cab to arrive. I kept looking for a yellow taxi...I mean the name of the company was [name has been removed to shield the innocent]...so how could it not be a big yellow taxi....well it wasn't...

I am not lying when I tell this story...all truth.

An old red, rusty van pulls up to the hotel. It had a faded taxi sign on the top and tinted windows. In my mind I am saying, repeatedly, please please please please not today...I can't handle anymore bad luck. Please don't let this be mine. Now earlier I had saw a nice looking white taxi so I figured that it wouldn't be mine.

Just to make sure I approached the front window and who did I see?? No other than....

BEN FRANKLIN

I'm not joking. Literally good ole Ben returned from the dead and was sitting in the front of this van. I mustered out..."Is this taxi for David?" to which Ben replied, "Yep, throw your stuff in the back and get in..."

At that very moment a piece somewhere inside of me died... and I will never be able to get it back. What it was I don't know...a piece of my soul... or heart... or spirit... I can't tell you but I felt it. I pried open the door and jammed my suitcase in and got in the passenger seat. And that's when that thing happened...yes don't pretend like you don't know what I am talking about...that thing...

I may seem like I complain a lot, but what you don't see is the smile or grin that comes across my face when things just don't go the way they should. It is weird...and it is something that only started recently. I guess it is my way of looking at the bright side of something, or finding that silver lining

Yes I just quoted myself in my own blog post...but I smiled. I may have even chuckled... it was that beautiful moment when you realize you aren't living, unless you can laugh at yourself. So with that smile on my face we drove off. It was also at that moment when I realized telling someone you are a history major, or researcher, instantly makes people think you know the history about everything. This man started talking to me about Southern history the Anglo-Saxon history....followed by I think Alexander the Great...I mean we covered a lot of history...and while yes I knew a little about each of those things I was no expert.

After what felt like it was a longer trip than the bus ride we finally arrived at the hotel and I basically ran out of the cab. My trip got much better after that. The hotel check-in went very smooth and it is actually a nice place. Very old but I'm not surprised and I kind of like the old look to it. The room is small but just enough room for me.

Here are a few pictures of the place:

Washington & Jefferson College published an article about the Magellan Project, citing a record number of applicants this year! Check out the article and find out more about the Magellan Project and other students' projects! Click Here to read the article. 

Lesson of the day: You aren't living, unless you can laugh with yourself.