Salem was cool, but not as bewitching as we'd hoped. We have heard that the month of October brings out hoards of freaks in costumes, live re-enactments of witch trials in the common, and a palpable supernatural air that settles over the quaint little town north of Boston during the most haunted month of the year.
Yeah, not so much. It's a pretty town and all, but it's a modern small city like any other. The attractions were very pricey and VERY lame, and something about seeing Ye Olde Hot Dog Vendors and a long line of bright blue Porta-Potties located next to the Witch Museum detracted from the ambiance we'd been expecting. Oh well - we still had fun with our little group of friends, and the kids got into character and delighted passers-by who were also looking in vain for something eery.
On the way to Salem we passed a liquor store with such a funny name that I had to lean over and take a picture immediately. I know many of you have seen a pic of this place floating around on the internet, but FYI, they really do exist in the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts!
Yes, I'm talking about Bunghole Liquors.
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No word on whether they sell TP |
Moving along.... The coolest part of the day (aside from our time spent in Ye Olde Pub drinking Ye Olde Pumpkin Ale) was wandering around in a 300 year old cemetery.
The worst part of the day was forking over $25 for our family to wander through the world's WORST wax museum.
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We had no idea that Gerard Depardieu was involved in the Salem Witch Hysteria of 1692. |
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Nathaniel Hawthorne doesn't look so good. |
We made the best of it, right up until Mark got arrested and thrown into the slammer.
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I have always suspected him of witchery. This just confirmed it. |
I was shocked to learn that one of my ancestors was one of the first female pirates in Salem.
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Arrr, keep ye hands offa me booty! |
Later we enjoyed some time in a local eatery before taking a haunted trolley ride and seeing a little show. The kids had a ball.
Then we went back to our hotel and fell asleep at 9 PM, because we're all party animals like that.
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Fangs for the memories! Ah ah ah! |
Have a lovely Thursday, my friends. *mwah*