Monday, May 7th 2007
Birthday Getaway
Last weekend I was back in Boston for my friend Saya’s birthday. We spent Saturday with her folks in Peterborough, NH. I love her family and I love where they live. The backdrop is green, lush and secluded with lots of lakes. This is where Stoneybrook Yogurt was founded, born out of one man’s desire to create something beneficial for the consumer and kind to the animals. We all joined forces to create a Mexican inspired feast; tacos with lime chicken, rice, beans, roasted veggies and an impromptu cilantro sauce that Saya whipped up.
The next morning was the highlight of the trip, Montreal. We dropped JD at the train station and headed north. I love, love Montreal. I’ve always thought of it as a little Europe in my backyard, the city smells of the continent. It is in the attitudes, looks and general disposition of the people who call this lovely metropolis home. Saya knows her way around the city since she lived there for many years. It was such a nice way to see something new; through the eyes of somebody who knows it and loves it just as much as you.
Hearing the native language of French spoken was also a treat. Such a beautiful language and Saya speaks it with finesse and confidence. As we walked around I would ask how to say something in French, I would study it in my head before proudly exclaiming my new word. It usually would become “the word” until something else caught my eye.
Saya reached a break in a grueling week of sewing, cutting and more sewing. She, like me is a little arty and crafty. She makes extraordinary bags of all sizes that she sells to the boutiques around town. Fun fabrics, some from Senegal, they are original, whimsical yet remain functional and sturdy. You can see some of here work here.
Needless to say she was looking forward to some no obligation existing. I was all too happy to oblige. We took naps, ate, saw her friends from the old days and just hung out with no where to be and no where to go. The weather was not the greatest; it was gray and chilly with a very shy sun. It was that way all weekend until the morning we left; it was bright and clear all the way back home to Beantown.
It’s good to be home after a fun-filled weekend far away. I will be here for 12 days before I have to go to Vancouver on the 17th for a dance gig. Looking at the calendar I realize that I have not been home for more than 7 days in about a month or so. No complaints from me. That is definitely one of the perks of my job!