Hogwarts- Like, and Sleeping on a Stranger’s Couch in Boston, Massachusetts

As a Harvard Business School- HBX newest student, I visited my campus, even as an online student.

It was 4 am, and I was completing my online assignment before it was due when I accidentally clicked on the HBS homepage, that’s where I noticed an open house invite the next day at 1 pm.
Unconsciously, I went to google and instantly searched “NYC to Boston bus rides.”
I ended up with two-way Megabus tickets for three days in Boston within 5 minutes for the next morning.

Then fear tried to hit me; I found my mind telling me.
“What did you do? Are you crazy? who even does that?” I shrugged it off my shoulders and shocked my head as it was no big deal, and there’s nothing to worry about.

Suddenly I stopped for a second, to hear what was going on inside my mind now, with a shocked face,

it was questions like
“Why three days? Where are you going to stay? What are you going to do?
Mmmm.. did you forget your mom? What she’s going to say?”

I quickly waved my hand and said, “Naa, I got this; no worries.”

My face reactions quickly switched, and I moderately yelled;
“Oh, my god. where am I going to stay?” I worriedly mumbled.

Two seconds later, I noticed myself on Couchsurfing, where I remembered a friend of mine mentioned it when I wanted to head to Europe and was fearing hotel prices.

My mind restarted thinking about the horrifying things my host would do to me if I decided to use Couchsurfing!

“How can you trust a stranger? why would anyone host another stranger in their house unless they’re crazy and want to kill them or kidnap them in their sleep?”

“Nooo mind, chill!
I’m sure I’ll be fine, besides..”
looking at a small pocket knife that was given to me from an outdoor travel event two days before,

“.. I got this” while holding the tiny pocket knife in my hand.

But don’t worry, I know I would never use it.. but safety procedures aren’t a bad thing!

So my journey began.. of course, from NYC subways! to catch the Megabus headed to Boston at 11:00 pm!
And, of course, I was let down by the MTA, just like every other New Yorker out there when they’re in a hurry and need to be somewhere urgent!
(my biggest fear at that moment was;
“what will happen if you missed that bus, Salwa? What? No adventure, No Boston, No Harvard business campus, No Snapchat update, No CouchSurfing, I guess there’s no use for that pocket knife now! oh, Mann,
Should I go back home now? It’s Sunday, and there no transportations now back to my house; who the hell lives in Staten Island without a car,
damn it, I can’t get home until morning, when buses are back in session,
oh well, I guess you can wait for that train, that’s not coming anytime soon..”

Then the train finally arrives!

“Ohh, Never mind.
We got a Megabus to catch!”

After I ran like 20 blocks like I stole something and running for my life, to catch the bus before it leaves at 11:45 pm (as stated on my ticket)

The bus left two hours late… but I bought Gyro so I wasn’t as mad as I should be 😀

The bus was 7 hours long ride, and of course, I used Snapchat every time after I woke up from those minibus naps to check on my geo-location; who wouldn’t!

Anyways, I got there at 7 am (I told my host that I’d get there at 4 am, Oppss!)

I stayed in downtown Boston, where they call it Little Italy!

And this was three blocks from me!

You know how I’m a Solo traveler!! Yaaay

So I kind of has to ask people to take pictures of me.. Like all the time because selfies are so overrated!

So that’s the result!

It’s a beautiful mess, I guess… Like me! Lol

I’m now going to leave you with my excellent Snapchat story to watch… Enjoy

See how my regular 24 hours in life goes!! Yep. It’s insane; I do more than what others do in 3 years in 24 hours!!  ??

My Harvard Business School visit was great. I learned So Much!!

by the way, HBS and the regular Harvard University have a bridge-to-cross between them (it’s incredible!! it’s in the video)

Harvard University looks more like Hogwarts! Yeah… Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!!

But HBS looks more realistic like a 21st-century school!

Now let me show you a couple of pics from my visit!

I had to share my food!… You know!!

Going to more touristy things…

I got on a Boston trolley.. and stuck my head in one of those maps!

I couldn’t decide this .. or rent a bike!

I had to go with the trolley because the tour driver guy was making funny jokes, and I follow comics anywhere! I visited the Public garden that was built in 1837!

I visited the Public garden that was built in 1837!

I (we) almost got attacked by some ducks and geese! While riding the boat. It’s in the video!

You know that moment when you have a front seat empty but debating if you should sit in it or not!! Yaay.. boohoo now you have people blocking your view while you sit there thinking if you should sit in front or not!!

Note to self: Act first, think later.

Anyways;

I got a ferry ride across the harbor (saw Donald Trump’s private jet!) and when the ferry stopped and let people out (if they wanted to!)

I took my note to self from earlier and decided to get off too, you know! Instead of going back!!

I had no idea where I was on the map!

But it turned out to be a navy territory!

It was fun, I guess!

It’s all in the video!!

Then, I decided to explore that area (I had no idea where I was)

I walked a few minutes down, and I saw a Korean War memorial!

Again, when you let strangers take pics of you!!

Ohh, that’s a good one! Thanks, stranger.

Now, you can’t do all that exploring in one day. You need another 24 hours!!

Look at video #2 (Snapchat Story! it rained too!!)

Thank you, Boston.. I’ll be back!

😀