Allie #4

This weekend, I decided to explore Boston more than I ever have. Before this weekend all I knew was the Prudential Center and Northeastern campus. I never explored Boston or did any research on it before committing to or even attending Northeastern. With a few friends, I took the famous T to go from rock climbing in the South End to Chinatown, in the rain. We then enjoyed some amazing dim sum and got bubble tea. Did I mention that this weekend, specifically the day that we went to Chinatown, was Chinese New Year? There were red lanterns hung up everywhere, and, as a Dim Sum lover, I had some of the best Chinese food that I have ever consumed. We ate more food between the four of us than tables of six or ten did around us. At some points, the waiters were throwing plates of food that we did not remember ordering at us and everything we ate was absolutely delicious. 

The next day I met up with an old friend from elementary through high school who goes to Boston University. I gave her the mission of showing me around some parts of Boston. She took me to an amazing ramen restaurant off of Newbury street. Amid catching up with each other after not seeing each other for the entire first semester we waited in line for what was to be the best ramen that I have ever consumed in my life and it was literally fifteen minutes away from my apartment. I had no idea how close I was to this amazing ramen, what else was I missing out on? Then my friend and I went to the Boston Public Library and did some work. Again, this was something that I knew existed but had no idea where it was or any intention to go to it. I am so glad that I went. I am currently writing this blogpost in a large room with church-like intricate ceilings. They reminded me of Europe in a way that I have not encountered since I left. The historical part of the library had beautiful paintings on the walls and, again, European like marble stairs where hundreds of people were silently studying.

The unusual part of my experience at Northeastern so far is the fact that I never ventured far beyond campus, and frankly, I knew nothing about the city that I have chosen to be my home for the next four to five years. It’s honestly weird to me now that I have had no urge to explore Boston before this point. I chose Northeastern simply because of the NUin program and because I enjoyed the admitted students’ day. I had no clue about anything to do with the university like the hockey team or the lack of a football team until after committing. Upon my arrival at the Boston campus until this weekend I never really saw Boston, and even though I haven’t seen the majority of the city I know that this was the perfect city, even if at first I had no clue what I was getting myself into.