Now usually I’m not the person to go and travel, but I wanted to try something new and different this year. I decided to do some pre-planning and go on a trip outside of South Dakota all by myself! Let me tell you about my trip over to the East Coast of the US!
Once I was done with my classes the day before spring break, I headed home and started to pack. I’d be gone from home for a total of six days, so I had to make sure I had all the essentials: money in my bank, my laptop so that I could work on projects, and enough winter clothes to prepare me for any storm.
My flight was pretty early in the morning, which I wasn’t too fond of. But, I was still able to wake up and get in a good breakfast before heading on my flight. I was ready for an entire day of sitting around and waiting!
My flights went pretty well. I had a long layover in Chicago so I got some homework done while waiting for my flight to Boston. That airport is so big, I’m always worried I’m gonna get lost while I’m looking for my gate. I managed to find it though, after the longest 10 minute walk of my life!
Around 5 P.M. is when I landed in Boston, MA: the first destination in my spring break trip. I came here to visit some of my friends from high school who are currently attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT for short). As soon as I landed, I already had some troubles!
Neither of the friends I was staying with were able to pick me up from the airport! So, I had to problem solve: I took public transportation! Now, I’m from South Dakota, where everything is farm land in any direction you go. Boston was much different. There is lots of trams, buses, bikes, and cars everywhere. My friends explained how to use the different bus lines to get to where they were staying. I can now say that I feel pretty confident taking a metro train, even though my first time I got lost and was trying to get to my destination for an hour and a half, haha!
I arrived at my friends’s place: a smart-people house. They cleaned up a room for me to stay in. My first night there they showed me around the place and I went to bed soon after. I was tired, and needed rest for the days to come!
The next day was probably my most favorite day in the entire trip! My friends and I started out the morning by visiting the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, which was a totally cool place. I snapped lots of pictures that I will put into my portfolio, so be sure to check them out! Later that night we went out to eat at this delicious hot pot place that is quote “much better than the Sioux Falls hot pot”. I haven’t tried the one here, but I already believe it. I ate soooo much food that night. We finished off the night with a late-night tour of MIT as well as some “hacking” at campus!
The last day in Boston was a fairly fun day. My friends and I walked along the Freedom Trail, which is a brick path that has tons of historical marks on it. I also snapped lots of photos here that will be in my portfolio! Another memorable thing from this day was trying my first cannoli at Mike’s Pastry: super yummy!
Also on the last day: I did something I’ll probably never get to do in my life ever again. I went to Harvard University!!! Isn’t that super cool? I didn’t go inside any of the buildings since it was late when I got there, but the 20 minute bike ride over to their campus was 100% worth it.
The morning after I packed up my things, said my goodbyes, and headed back to the airport. This time getting around town was much easier as I was understanding the public transportation much better now. I gave myself plenty of time to get the airport so that I could get through security easily, and I wouldn’t be late for my flight out of town.
I headed on a flight to New Jersey, which is where my layover was. I have never been to New Jersey before, but now I can say I have been there!
After a few more hours of flying, I landed in my next destination: Rochester. Whenever I tell people Rochester, they automatically think of Minnesota due to its proximity to South Dakota. But, I flew out to Rochester, NY to visit my mom. She took a couple days off work at her blood bank to explore the town a bit more, since I had only been there a few times.
We went to a lot of cool restaurants while we were there, like this diner located in the car of a train. I also got lots of souvenirs! I also made sure to take some pictures here and there, but I mostly went there to spend time with my mom. She visits me often, but I don’t get too many opportunities to visit her.
After a few quick days in Rochester, I flew home. I wanted to have some of my spring break at home to relax and rest, so I made sure to give myself some time to do that. I said goodbye to my mom, headed on the planes, and arrived back at home with no issues!
And that was my spring break! I’m so glad I got the opportunity to travel, even if it was outside of the state. I made a ton of new memories, got lots of cool photos, and connected with friends and family!
TC