Boston by Proxy

Calypso has gone to Boston to nanny my cousin's son for a week or so while my cousin the chiropractor is going through some intense training for software allowing her to go paperless in patient records. 

Calypso has never been to Boston before and she is a brand newly licensed driver.  She drops my cousin and the boy off at work and school then drives back to the apartment for an exciting day of cleaning and cooking and errand running.  Today was her first day there.  She called me in freak-out mode after becoming very lost on the mile and a half trip back to the apartment.

A meme which has been distributed widely may explain why she got so lost.  The frustration of being in unfamiliar surroundings was augmented by the angst new drivers default to so easily.

She confirmed that she did in fact feel as if the city was flipping her the bird....and I don't mean Larry has taken up gymnastics in his retirement from basketball. As an aside, I vastly prefer getting around Boston because it's a short city as opposed to NYC which is very tall...meaning when I walk around Manhattan I feel like I am walking through canyons and not being able to see the sun is disorienting to me.  Boston feels more like walking around neighborhoods. 

She was nervous about having to find her way back in reverse when afternoon came around.  I suggested she google a map and take a walking tour noting landmarks and such so she'd feel more confident.

I am sure by the end of her time there Calypso will be feeling more confident but in the meantime this is the impression of the city which she posted on FaceBook.

Lessons and Observations in Boston:
1. Everybody drives a Prius.
2. Bicycle lanes are not for driving in. Oops.
3. If you smile to someone while walking, the best reaction you'll get is confusion. At worst, they'll walk as far away and as quickly as possible, and somewhere between the two is a grimace.

Being full of encouragement, I added in a comment, "4. There are few public toilets so don't take walking tours if you are very pregnant or have a small bladder."

Fortunately, Calypso is neither pregnant nor bladder impaired.