I took a risk in February. It was a last minute decision to go to a podcast show one month after my previous trip. I wasn't sure if work was going to let me take off but I decided to go for it anyway and explain that I had already bought tickets. Truthfully I was nervous and didn't buy them straight away. First I had to figure out expenses and that was quickly adding up as I looked at flights. For a ticket at this time it was going to be around $400 just to get there. Talk about crazy. 

So with determination I kept searching. I looked at so many sights and did the match as I went. I had even asked my dad if he would be interested in going since he also liked listening to the podcast with me. I gave him a few days to think about it and I had hoped he would say yes. I hadn’t been to a big city by myself and I was nervous about this new system in my experiences. I tried to tell myself that he would go with me and that things would be better then I feared. Turns out, it was what I feared. He said no since we had just gone on a trip and it just so happened one of his favorite bands was doing a show not to long after the podcast and that's was what he wanted to spend his money on instead. 

Feeling saddened I kept my head up and hoped that I would gain some courage and for a bit I had convinced myself I was going to go do this trip and it was easier then I was fearing. Yet work had stopped me and I got left with the idea of me spending more then what it was worth. Letting it go I sat on it for a few days trying to convince myself it wasn't worth the trouble. 

Then a new episode came out and I threw myself back into the search. I only have one life and missing this would be a terrible decision on my part. I decided to use expedia and I found a way to spend less. Picking a cheap hotel, plus a plane ticket there and back I realized that it was better to fly out if Atlanta then where I'm from. Formulating a plan I sent a text to someone I hold dear to my heart and asked if they could help me on this trip by letting me stay with them. They had just moved there and I wasn’t sure what they would say. I was scared that it was too late to ask and it would fall through. My spending for this trip easily could have been doubled but thanks to an ok, I got a place to put my car and to sleep for a night. 

With everything in place I saved my cash, prepared my quickly beating heart and set out to Atlanta. It had been a while since I had been alone on a trip and it was so exhilarating to be driving once more to a far off city. It made my heart smile. With much communication and determination I arrived later than expected. Yet I was OK. I had made it to the first stop. With much tiredness in me, I quickly made my way to the bed and fell asleep for the night after a wonderful welcome from my hosts. It felt like ages and unfortunately we didn't have much time while I was there. 

The next day came quickly and we were on our way to the airport. My stomach was doing flips the whole way and the excitement was pouring over. I hadn't flown by myself before and I hadn't been on a plane since I was in middle school. I was ready to experience it again. With butterflies in my stomach I made haste to my boarding station which just so happened to be all the way at the end and the very last terminal. I let out the breath I was holding and met two strangers with their child. They were sweet and we're telling me about visiting family in Boston. They didn't expect the heat and humidity in Atlanta but had enjoyed the time away. They now we're going to their mothers and we're excited for the sudden snow there but also not happy about the cold. 

Sadly we didn't get too long to talk and we had to board the plane. Quickly settling in, I got to experience that feeling of takeoff. I remember being jealous of the person at the window. I wanted so badly to see it with my own eyes but I sadly got the aile seat. So I had to look over shoulders and I definitely got looks. With only a two hour flight my excitement was quickly cut off. Once we had landed I felt myself smiling and this caught the attention of three other souls across from me. We talked about snow and how for their friend it was her first time. To them if was ridiculous to hear her saying how pretty it was and how she was excited. Little did she understand the coldness it would bring to her warm skin. 

With all of us waiting we said our goodbyes and we're off the plane moments later. I quickly found my way outside and it was now 40 degrees. It was snowing and cold. It was like nothing I had seen. White everywhere I looked and people putting their heads down and trudging on. They probably have seen it all their lives but to me, it was a new paradise. After half an hour I met my driver. He was from Boston and was learning an ancient language to go to his home country. Very kind man who was loyal to the job and loved his wife very much. He knew Boston well and told me its history as we drove downtown. He gave advice for me to go see certain things and to enjoy my time, although he wasn't sure if I would with all the snow around. With much exuberance I told him I would enjoy it either way. He then said his goodbyes and left me to myself at the hotel that was a mile from the convention. Heading inside I checked in. Got my key and heading up to the sixth floor. Once inside I realized why it was cheap. Just the basics inside. A heater, a shower, TV, and a toilet. All you need in a tiny space. 

In the little time I had I headed out to look around. With a little bounce in my step I hit all the places I could walk to and got some dinner. They had a wonderful Raman shop that sold real Raman bowls with large salads. They seemed interested in me and my appearance as I was wearing a heavier jacket then people who were used to the cold and snow. They seemed to like watching me for a bit and then they would move on. Once I was done I walked to the town and meet two women who were taking photos. Smiling I said hello and without much thought we started talking. Quickly I gotta asked the question "are you here by yourself?" And with a smile I answered in a way they weren't expecting. 

"Why of course" and both ladies eyes got wide and a smile broke out on their faces. "I wish I could do that" and the other girl nodded and looked at her friend "we've been wanting to travel, it's funny we were talking about it a few days ago" and with those words we jumped to quick conversation about my traveling and I saw the sparkle in their eyes. I was inspiring. I was an example of a new generation unfolding. It made them nod and say "I want to do that" and that reaction was just the beginning. Once the girls had left I ran into an older lady with her new puppy. He didn't have booties yet so she had to carry him over the salted road.  I smiled as the puppy happily wiggles in the snow. She smiled at me and started a conversation about the snow and salt. With much happiness the older lady talked with me for an hour and made me realize that good people exist. It's just that you have to listen.  She heard all about me and seemed happy to have company. After a bit I got introduced to a fellow who was going to college not far from there. We all chatted and once they went inside I parted ways. I went back to my hotel and after much wrestling I realized I wanted to work out. It had been days and I was craving a run. So I looked up gyms. The closest one was a mile into town. With determination and quick thinking I packed a bag and used my GPS to lead me downtown. 

Boston is pretty at night but being alone in a big city and a woman made me hurry a bit more. It made me worry about being noticed or followed and I wasn’t sure if it was because of the stereotype if cities or if it was my imagination. Either way I quickly got to the gym and made my way to the treadmill. So many people were there and it was nice to be surrounded by other hard working souls. Three miles later and a sweat to show my hard work I walked my way back to the hotel and bustled my way to my room where I took a shower and passed out. 

The next day I spent wandering the city and enjoying the air. I bought souvenirs and some warmer socks. Once I got to the show I was so excited that I'm sure my heart was going to flop out of my chest at any given moment. This was it, I was going to hear and see the Lore podcast live. The lights dimmed and the voice came over the speaker. He said a hello and gave his intro and came to the words the officially start the podcast 

"I'm Aaron Mankie....and this is Lore"


 

The whole event was like a fairy tale. He sounded like he was coming out of a book and it seemed so surreal to be there. I saw every moment and witnessed the beginning of a beautiful start for this podcasts progress. I even got to meet him afterwards and he was so amazing. I even bought cds of the classical music and the entire time he was genuine. I could tell he loved his job and he loved his stories. That just was so wonderful and it may have only been a few days of experiencing Boston but, it was enough to make me smile. It was so cool and I want to go see more. Boston is so rich with history and I just want to see it all. 

I want to see its beauty in more refined detail. Someday Boston, someday.