25th Reunion - DAY 1

For a minute there (OK maybe for 10 minutes) I thought I might miss my flight to Boston. After dropping Charlotte and Olivia off at RIS (Avery was walking to the Zoo with Morris this morning to meet his class for their field trip to the Bioparco), we hit incredible, stand-still traffic on the GRA. Josh made a few aggressive maneuvers, and fortunately the traffic started flowing again – there had been an accident.

Even the Alitalia agent who checked me in for my flight told me to hurry up as the flight was closed. Still, I was at the gate at 9:20, right on time for boarding, for my 10am scheduled departure time. In the end though, we sat on the plane for some reason for an hour and half and left at 11:30am. Go figure.

Upon arrival, Logan airport seemed dead. I quickly walked through immigration, received my luggage (always a relief) and hopped in a cab for Cambridge. I must have gotten out of the cab just as quickly because left my cell phone in it. I spent the next two hours trying to track down my phone (no answer), or one of my college roommates so I’d at least have a contact number if the phone was found. By 5pm I gave up, and returned to my dorm room.

I’ve really moved up in the world of Harvard; my roommates and I were assigned the top floor at Weld -- one of the best located houses in Harvard Yard. It couldn’t have been a nicer set up, with views over-looking the commencement address being given by Justice Souter. While the bathroom is down the hall, my quarters are roomy and very comfortable. This was a long way from my freshman year dorm. (Twenty-five years ago, I had been assigned to one of only three dorms that were located outside the Yard -- like well-outside -- AND, I had a triple. That's right, 3 girls in one bedroom!) One by one, Paula, Mary, and Kirsten rolled in from commencement exercises. Rachel had been taking a nap (some things never change). It was great to see all of them. Later, Mary Jane would show up; she ended up with the bed in the living room -- just like old times.

Tonight’s dinner was served under a tent near the Science Center; trouble is that it’s hard to actually eat and talk to people you haven't seen (in at least 5; if not 25 years) at the same time. No one was sitting at any of the dozens of tables. Everyone was happy making connections with former classmates.

After the dinner, we all walked to Saunders Theater for the Class Talent Show. I was wondering who in our graduating class had talent. Apparently, many of my classmates at least think they have talent -- 3 hours worth of talent. Seriously, many are in fact gifted singers, and the MC, Rich Appel was really funny. But, there were definitely a few bits I could’ve done without. Conan wrapped it up with his TV (Legally Prohibited) band. I had been expecting comedy; who knew he could sing and play guitar?!?

After the show, everyone was let loose for drinks and, thankfully, more food in another tent inside the yard. Thus far, the 25th reunion event seems really well-organized. The student workers are extremely professional and helpful. Was I that mature and well-spoken at 20? The student porter who helped me up to my room is leaving for Rome in 3 weeks, and will be studying Italian in Abruzzo on a Harvard summer school program. What a coincidence. I tipped him in euros!