Arriving in Cambridge

I arrived on Tues afternoon and friend, Jim W, picked me up at the airport. I ran into another friend, Lisa who is off on a new life adventure, in the bathroom at Logan--love that small world stuff.

My first adventure was getting up early on Wed am., leaving the house about 7:20, I walked to Harvard Square and to get coffee at Peet's and then down by the Charles to watch the folks out crewing. I was sitting on a bench by about 7:45---it was hard to find one as the litter was every where. Then I noticed a number of people rolled up in blankets sleeping. Soon 3 police cars quietly pulled up on the lawn, and started waking the homeless sleepers. As that scene unfolded, a dump truck and a van from MA Corrections pulled up. Out jump about 6 guys in lime green "Community Crew" t-shirts with Dept of Corrections in smaller print.

It was impossible not to notice the police were white (I noticed one exception), all the vehicle drivers were white and the clean-up crew?? all African American or Latino. I realized that here, in miniature, is why I'm here. After 150 years we are still struggling to develop a society where everyone can thrive. In fact, it is getting worse in so many ways. The big shift in me, however, is that in the past, I would have blamed the Caucasians. Now I see we are all stuck in a system that creates these inequities. No easy answers in how to get out of it but we must move forward NOW. OK, enough soap box for one day.

I'm settling in beautifully. It's only been three days but somehow feels longer in a good way. Perhaps with communication so easy, I don't really have to experience the loneliness when calling long distance was expensive and email didn't exist. I got wired yesterday with phone, computer and cable TV so busy checking in with everyone.

My apartment is a small one bedroom and just the prefect size. I need a bedroom to close the door when the mess gets too much (or if I want to entertain, throw all the mess on the bed and shut the door.) I'm loving getting to know the family who owns it. I had dinner with them Wednesday eve and know I will love being here.

I notice the odd mix of voices internally: the 'starving student, better not spend much money' or the 'Yes, I want to down size BUT not make life hard, so of course you can buy that!' So I have a good bottle of gin (it's hot here!) and a cheap, 4 cup coffee maker. Perfect.

I'm hoping to learn to use my new camera over the weekend and add a few pictures.