Day 7 (September 22) - Downtown Boston and whale watching (D.S.)

At 6:50, we gathered at Oak Grove Railway Station to embark on our journey into Boston. After a brisk 20-minute ride, we arrived and strolled over to Boston Common, a picturesque park located in the heart of the city. We then proceeded to explore the historic downtown area of Boston, where charming brick houses and quaint shops replaced the usual abundance of Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks.

 

After approximately an hour, we had some free time to explore Boston on our own, and our first order of business was finding a place for breakfast. Fortunately, our teacher recommended a delightful spot called George Howell. We split into groups, but to our pleasant surprise, about half of our class and our teachers had the same idea, making it a well-justified choice. The experience was truly remarkable.

 

Once we had all enjoyed our meals, a few of us decided to spend the remaining minutes at the park before regrouping. At noon, we boarded a boat at Boston port for a whale-watching adventure. For many of us, it was our first-time whale watching, and the excitement was palpable. However, we were also aware that spotting whales isn't guaranteed, so we tried to keep our expectations in check.

 

As the boat picked up speed, the wind on deck intensified, creating a "lying-in-the-air" sensation, which we fully embraced. For nearly an entire hour, we reveled in the exhilarating ride. That is, until we spotted the whales: a mother and her calf. The calf displayed playful movements, leaping out of the water, and splashing its tail, providing us with an incredible spectacle. We followed them for an hour before making our way back to shore. Once back on solid ground, we had to hustle to return to Wakefield promptly.

 

At 6 pm, the Hawaiian-themed football game commenced, and we all sported Hawaiian shirts or leis in the spirit of the event. Wakefield football games have a unique tradition where someone dresses up as Moses and "parts the Red Sea," which refers to the student section. This time, to everyone's surprise, Alex was chosen to play the role of Moses, adding an extra layer of fun to the evening. Despite our limited understanding of the game's rules, the football game proved enjoyable. Moreover, the backdrop of a beautiful sunset enhanced the overall experience. All in all, it was a successful evening and a rewarding day.