On Friday night, my Vermonter train clattered into Brattleboro. As I eagerly (and gracefully, of course) made my way off, I scanned the cars and faces until I heard a loud "NICOLE!!!" and saw Callie running toward me. I had barely thrown my backpack into the backseat of her car before Callie launched excitedly into describing a "parking lot situation" that had happened shortly before my arrival. "And then she said, 'Well aren't you a PICTURE!'" As vague of a compliment as that statement is, most of this weekend was sort of like a picture, in that there was so much I saw and did and heard and spoke that was so good, that I'm barely sure it was all real. It's fortunate I remembered to take some pictures. New Hampshire is one of the most beautiful, fun places I've been. Callie took me to a beautiful field, overlooking Walpole (correct me if I'm wrong, Callie). It was quiet in a way I'd never experienced in the daytime. Crickets and crunching grass, a car curiously rolling by every few minutes, laughter. We went to the local music store, Turn It Up, plenty of times to visit her friends and leaf through rows of records. We visited Burdick's chocolates and had the most delicious chocolate I've ever had. We strolled around Main Street while she told me of the local lore (Jumanji was filmed in Keene, NH by the way). We stood up late into the night talking about everything, and I was woken up by piano music drifting through her living room. It was really a wonderful weekend that was so much fun, and so thoughtful. Thanks for being the best tourguide, Callie (and for letting me sleep on your couch)!
"Why do you get to hold a bouquet, but I don't?!"
Until tomorrow,
Nicole
