[Continued from Day 1]
At 5:00 AM, I stepped outside of my temporary lodging into the New England street. As I soaked in the chilly morning air, I was startled. The temperature, the moisture, and the signature scent of the Atlantic Ocean hit my olfactory nerves, and I was immediately transported back five years ago to when I used to live in Boston, MA. I looked around. It felt as if I were putting on an old cloth stored in the furthest corner of your closet, and it just fits my body perfectly. All the thoughts and emotions started to rush back to my prefrontal cortex. It was as if I were meeting an old friend. It felt as if another persona had been lying dormant, ready to be let out when the conditions were right.
Since there was plenty of time before the seminar started, I decided to go for a walk and explore the little town a little bit. I wanted to revisit the city of Providence, Rhode Island, to see if it had changed at all since I last visited about five or six years ago. I had visited this place for a few hours from Boston as a quick weekend trip. The Rhode Island I remembered was quiet, old, and Victorian. I started to walk towards the residential area, away from Downtown Providence.
Past the Colonial houses, I found a row of small shops near Fox Point. The beauty of this petite town cannot be replicated elsewhere without its ambiance. It’s a town that has survived the darkness, the frostiness, and the loneliness. The history infuses a sense of solemn defiance in the neighborhood.
On Wickenden Street, I found a few brunch restaurants. One of them was Coffee Exchange (207 Wickenden St.). It’s a two-story café, and patrons were already filling the seats in the morning. The line was long, and the barista seemed to recognize their regulars. They had a family-like atmosphere and offered a wide range of coffee selections.
After getting a cup of dark roast drip coffee (it wasn’t memorable), I walked back to my lodging. I stopped by In The Pink (213 Thayer St.), a pink-themed smoothie shop that offered $10-a-pop smoothie. I especially liked a drink called “Hair of the Dog”, which was colored pitch black, yet had a fresh kick of pineapple juice. I’d definitely give it 5/5.
With a smoothie in my hand, I joined the second day of the workshop.
After the workshop, I was invited to visit a local brewery, Narragansett Brewery (271 Tockwotten St.), by one of the local students. My colleague and I joined her at the brewery. The conversations primarily focused on the technical details of career prospects. We sat outside on a small balcony table with an industrial umbrella over our heads. I munched on a large pretzel as we sipped on a beer sitting near the Providence River.
After our beer chat, we parted ways. I decided to take a walk back to the lodging because it was not too far from where we were, and I wanted to explore Providence. I have learned that some people grew up with many animals around them. They explained it as such: When an animal passes away, a new one is welcomed into the family, completing the circle of life. I decided to keep at least a dog and a cat when I can do so.
The dinner place we chose was Hemenway’s Restaurant (121 S Main St.).
As we sat, I noticed two sets of knives and forks arranged on each side of the table. As I stared at them quizzically, I received a quick tutorial on the country club etiquette of using each pair for a specific meal type. Regrettably, upon receiving this tidbit of high-class mannerism, I quickly denigrated to using whatever utensils I wanted to use. I saw a flash of horror pass by the face of my colleague, as if witnessing a barbarianism. I promised myself to acquaint myself with proper dining etiquette later.
The dinner was sufficient and somewhat satisfactory (3.5/5). After the dinner, I decided to take a walk in downtown Providence to digest the food. The city was eerily empty. After snapping a few pictures, I decided to walk back home.
I will continue on with the final day 3.
Ralph with Coffee 
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