Fourth of July story...

We spent the fourth of july with a bunch of foreigners.

Yep. That’s how we spent our fourth.

Lemme start from the beginning. I had to work when originially they had told me I had the holiday off. So I sit around, and sell four books in five hours. Finally they let me go when I called and told them they were losing money by paying me to be there. Head home, grab Erin and we head to check out the situation with the Boston Pops/fireworks show around 4:30. So we get there and i’ts PACKED – by 5:30!! So we end up getting a sweet spot by the edge of the water. There was a swatch of grass, then the sidewalk and we were right on the other side of the sidewalk. Perfect view of water and skyline.





Erin and I were completely unprepared for the long wait (the concert started at 8:30). We hadn’t brought a blanket, water, books or iPods. So we amused ourselves by people watching. We also ended up chatting with some people around us. Things got pretty interesting when two guy from England sat behind us. The guy they sat next too quizzed them on all things England – it was pretty interesting to hear their thoughts on America, the ‘08 election, sports and so on.

It started getting really really crowded around 7:45. People kept sitting behind the first swatch of grass and started taking up the sidewalk – one layer at a time. Soon all between Erin and I and the first swatch was a few feet of sidewalk – barely enough for two way traffic. When the Boston Pops played the 1812 Overture and fired off a few fireworks everyone sitting behind me and Erin realized they wouldn’t be able to see the fireworks due to the trees (well duh people). So they all rushed up and took up what little was left of the sidewalk. It was crazy. It was worth it though to hear Neil Diamond sing “Sweet Caroline”. Everyone was rockin it! The fireworks were pretty intense too – it was about a half hour long and had some fireworks I’d never seen before.

Getting out and home was a pain, but it was totally worth it. Next year we’ll just have to plan better.

Other highlights

The Englishman singing “God Save the Queen” to the tune of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” during the patriotic sing a long at the top of his lungs.
Realizing that I was watching a celebration for America surrounded by the English (ironic!), really annoying Spanish teenagers, Saudi Arabians and even some Frenchmen.
Watching an older brother scoop up his little sister who was tripping over her pink blanket and hear her giggle, “He’s carrying me like a princess!” Awwww….