Today I actually had a few sensible things to do: fix internet connection at home, get a clock-radio (that docks to my iPod), rent a bed. To do all this I needed to do some research, which took me about an hour. Then the plan was laid and about to be executed. But with a degree in management I should know that no plan lasts longer than the first shot… uhh… subway stop.

Massachussets Avenue: Stupid thing about this place is that to order anything I need to go to the store physically and show my passport to ID myself. If I had a social security number it would be a lot easer. But I’m not eligible for a SSN. So to get internet access in place I needed to go to northern Cambridge. I had memorized the map fairly well and noted which streets to take. All I had to do was get on the redline outbound (away from downtown) two stops to Porter square and start navigating from there. Now the Subway part was easy. I find myself an experienced T’er now. Finding the right street however wasn’t so easy. I kept my cool and moved towards north. I knew I would at some point find my street to my left. Basically I kept walking and walking. Too bad I hadn’t checked the length between the street at the map. I mean, the distances might have been kilometers for all I knew. So basically I kept going, looking for my street. One more, one more. I noticed the very nice buildings around me. They seemed a bit pretentious. Suddenly, a deja-vu feeling flushed over me. I’ve been here before! That’s right, I was in the middle of Harvard Square. Instead of walking north I had in fact moved south. And do keep in mind that Massachussets Avenue is one of the longest streets in the country! I will never again claim that I’m a master navigator. Taking the T to porter (once again) I found my street in the opposite direction pretty fast. Now it was “only” a two kilometer walk into nowhere and back. But the internet and cable deal was secured.

Circuit City: Next part of my program was to get to Circuit City in East Somerville. That’s the neighboring town of Cambridge. But in order to get there I needed to take the T down to dowtown Boston and switch subway there. Once I arrived my destination I had to start walking again. Only problem was that East Cambridge wasn’t a pleasant place. I was glad I didn’t walk there at night. 10 minutes later I arrived Circuit City without much more trouble. My clock-radio, wireless router and webcam with a mike is now secure. From tomorrow on I’m on skype. I took a taxi back home…

The Paramount: I met up Øystein later on with the inevitable question of where to eat. I was about to prepare some pasta at home but part of me wanted to go out to eat. As we walked towards Central Square (which, some of you might have understood by now, is our local “downtown”) but no place got our appetite going. We decided to take the T towards Boston. Then I remembered a thing from Lonely Planet: Charles street (heading from longfellow bridge down to Boston Common) is a cute little street with many restaurants. We decided to try it and we never regretted it. Five minutes later we found a restaurant with American cuisine with an Italian touch to it. I had a BBQ Steak Tip while Øysteni had an Atlantic salmon. Two exceptionally good meals for only $40 + tip (and the very friendly and cute waitress got a lot for her excellent recommendations). The place is called The Paramount and I will recommend it strongly. Charles street was a very nice street with small boutiques and antique stores. I can’t wait to show it to my mother who loves such places.

Top three quotes from the Boston cabdriver:

  1. Close yer eyes, you didn’t see this
  2. My transistors broke but I think we’ll be alright
  3. You don’t mind me stop to check under the hood, do yah?

Tomorrow I get my first visitor. Tove Lise, a former colleague and maid of honor to my dear wife, has a two-week east coast experience and decided to check out Boston as well.