We've been in Boston for over a month and a half now and as a consequence to the fantastic location we live in (yeah I can brag because it true) I spend about 45 - 60 minutes driving to and from work everyday (up to 10 hours a week). What makes the drive more interesting is that have I resort to speeding like every other driver which leads to the following observation about MA drivers. The majority of them SUCK, maybe more than the ones in Vancouver except there's a lot more anger and rage present here.
Besides the fact that Bostonian's drive like selfish dickheads (when in doubt or confused they just press the horn), they also like to ignore traffic signs, so traffic on the highways tend to move about 15 miles (~25Km) over the limit, this fluctuates as high as 25 miles (~40Km) in the fast lane. As you can imagine coming from Australia I was a little cautious to embrace these speeds but your only other choice is to become a traffic bottle neck resulting in angry drives around you (more horns!!!)
This leads me to a very amusing incident I witnessed driving to work the other day. The traffic was moving ~15 miles over the posted limit (45) when I suddenly realized a cop car in my rear view mirror... I changed lanes but didn't slow down as everyone was on par speed wise. To my surprise the cop proceeded to pass me so I decided to pull in behind him and observe everyones reaction to his presence. It was amazing, it was like he wasn't even there!. Looking ahead I could see cars pulling away since they were OBVIOUSLY traveling even faster than I was but the cop didn't seem to mind.
I was blown away by the fact that the traffic was so undeterred by the cops presence. Eventually we came to a stop at a set of traffic lights (I was still behind the cop car) when suddenly I saw his lights turn on... so I started to scan the horizon to see who did what in order to get his attention. I couldn't see the problem at first until I realized that of all things he was pulling over a J walker! lol.
In case your wondering, automated speed cameras impede on the US and Canadian constitution so they are illegal in North America and you actually have to be busted by a cop in order to get a ticket for speeding.
I hope everyone is well.
It's hard to find a good coffee here but beer, wine, spirits etc are irresistibly cheap and taste GREAT, cheers,
j
Hi All from Ev,
An update from me my friends, after a few more bangs and notes from psycho downstairs, we and even the real estate agent had threatened the owner of the apartment to no longer have anything to do with this place.....so for now...we think some action has been made by the building management towards Hannibal Lecter downstairs... he either got the hint or got hungry and ate himself....let's hope...we have peace for now. Otherwise I would like to point out that however critical my last post was I am not a pessimist. I enjoy living in such a historical part of this country, its architecture and its quirks however annoying and nonsensical they may be at times enrich the experience, on the whole I wake up with a smile......however......until I think of how much of an ordeal it is to have a descent cup of coffee here. But before I go into this further a little bit of history.
Jarek's and my relationship is almost 11 years old and so too is our almost daily tradition of a cappuccino and a chat. It took years to find the perfect and reliable coffee joints in Melbourne, same goes for Vancouver. But nothing has challenged our coffee relationship dynamic more than Boston. First and foremost Starbucks is out of the question.....so ........where do I start...the concept of receiving what you really want is such a task here...it often becomes the first obstical of the day...before we have to take out a map!! We have tried...believe me...we have given many a place a chance and been dismally disappointed but none more so than one Saturday in Beacon Hill. This was a cafe that was recommended by the best of Boston Review and with a glimer of hope we entered the old italian cafe and ordered a cappucinno. We ordered a cappuciono, we received a bowl sized mug of luke warm watered down expresso (if you can call it that!!!) on a saucer with a ....... TABLESPOON.......My only thought was of a Mr Cappucciono somewhwere in Italy turning in his grave....but there is some relief..almost every morning before work Jarek and I drive to Cambrdige where a cofee house called 1369 have heard Jarek's plight and make a "european style" cappuccino for us. Its great coffee and worth my walking back home for 30 min afterwards while Jarek drives to work.
In the next week or two our friends Chis and Bec are flying in from the UK for a visit and Jarek is flying out to Poland for 2 weeks. It has been 16 years since he last visited his family there and all I can say is I feel sorry for his liver!!!! :) Meanwhile while he is gone I am looking forward to a little solitary trip of my own exploring Rhode Island, Nantucket, Cape Code and Martha's Vinyard (where they filmed Jaws)
Hugs to you all from far away.
E
