We had Emily’s friend Emily G. visit from North Carolina this weekend. Confusing, I know. But we had a great time showing her around and got to secretly enjoy some touristy activities. I had the pleasure of showing Ms. Emily G. around Cambridge and Harvard, where her overwhelming intellectualism was right at home.

Riding the subway was a new-ish cultural experience for our guest. By the end of her visit, she was a pro.

Touristy adventure #1: trolley tour.

Yes, we went on a trolley tour, and we enjoyed it. We actually learned quite a bit of history. This first tour guide we had was a little whacky, but she showed us a lot of photos during the tour. Apparently this portrait of “Sam Adams” which appears on the beer labels is actually a portrait of Paul Revere. The only portraits that existed of Mr. Adams were of when he was quite old, so they used this one of Mr. Revere instead. Other fun facts: Boston is 70-something percent “reclaimed land” – that is – land that got hauled in on tractors to fill in swamps; also, it is called Beantown because it used to export quite a bit of molasses, which is used in Boston Baked Beans (that one’s for you, Jessica and Nancy).

Emilys in stereo on the trolley tour

Touristy adventure #2: the Prudential Tower. Ah, the Pru. The 360-degree view from the 50th floor here is great. The audio tour is fun too, except for when some kid is going nuts with another audio exhibit behind you and drowning out the audio tour – that really only happens fairly rarely though.

View from the top of the Prudential Tower

Last, but not least, Emily G. also celebrated the first half of her birthday with us, so we woke her up with a candle in her birthday pancakes.

Emily G's Birthday Pancake

It was so great to have Emily G. stay with us.  We now feel we are sufficiently warmed up for future visitors….so you had better get your commenting fingers ready!

** We are aware that many of you are awaiting an update from our recent trip to Italy…it is coming – we are working hard on it and organizing a whole lot of pictures just for you.   Keep checking and soon there will be an epic post that will whisk you all away to Italia!