Okay, I awake and it’s still the same day! I’m the fuck getting out of this hotel and going back to Salem for my final night! I pack, check out, grab a doughnut and coffee, arrange my ride to Salem and step outside to wait. It’s fucking freezing!! Sorry about the fucking “F” word so much. I’m just still fucking pissed. Now see? What I said about Salem weather? If you feel a cold breeze and especially a cold breeze accompanied by rain, you’re in for some cold-ass weather! Oh, and it’s cold but I’m on my way to Salem!
And now for the next leg of my trip. I arrive at my new hotel, Salem Waterfront Hotel, and I check in but I can’t get in my room until 3:00 p.m. I’m okay with that. I’m in Salem and I can explore! And low and behold, this hotel sits right on beautiful Salem Harbor. Now how did I manage to do that? I’m so excited so I set off with my camera in tow. I get quite far from the hotel. The Harbor and the day is so lovely, it’s beyond words. It’s cold and in the afternoons here it’s darker in the sunlight and I’m loving it …. walking, walking. And then I feel this rumble and low-grade pain in the lower part of my belly. Oh dear, you know? The food at the Halloween Ball last night somehow didn’t taste right. I suddenly remember this right here, right now. Next thought? You know, I’m here in beautiful Salem taking in the lovely sights of the Harbor and I’m about to shit my pants. Right here in Salem. Now who’d ever thought that? I’m in trouble. I’m a long way from the hotel, I’m not even in my room yet and I HATE to shit in restaurants! So I walk. Walk, walk, walking. Don’t I look normal? Just walking along, enjoying the sights, holding my ass as tightly closed as possible. My, my this is turning into a long walk. Walking, humming, oh dear. How much longer must I go and I sure hope I can find the public restroom in the hotel fast. I hope I don’t have to wait in line. I hope I don’t crap my pants. All these thoughts going through my head. Walking, isn’t Salem beautiful? The pain is getting worse, more insistent. Oh God, I hope I make it! Now I’m praying. The hotel finally. I race to the restroom after I ask where it is, good no line. I enter, tear at my clothes, sit, nothing. Nothing! I mean, for a long time nothing! People come and go, various sounds and smells and there I sit. Nothing. Was it just cramps with no issue? Good! I was so worried and ashamed. Didn’t have to be! But these cramps hurt and I don’t know what to expect. So I wait and just as I’m about to give up, it happens. It’s really fast and it’s over, just like that. Pain, everything gone. Never did come back. I thought I would be sick for the rest of the day. I feel that I’m being toyed with but I got some beautiful photos! ***Mental note: Do not eat at Ball next year.***
I at this point have an appetite. I know, weird. Typical Texan. So I get into my room and then go in search of food. First things first, ice cream! And it tastes rotten and old. Oh my gawd, what’s with this place? I throw away the ice cream and literally run away from it! Oh my gawd! But I’m really hungry and very bewildered at this point. So I walk and walk (again). It’s Sunday night in Salem, the day after Halloween, and everything is closing or is already closed. Hmmmmm, looking around. Keep walking. It’s cold. I’m hungry. I’m alone. Walking. I did A LOT of walking in Salem! And finally, there it is. Brothers Diner! It looks all cozy inside, warm with its fogged up windows. I’m going in. It smells so good! It’s a cafeteria-like place and these guys are treating me like I’m really, really welcome. I belly up to the food bar and create my dinner. Thank you, thank you. It’s so good. Thank you for feeding me. Thank you for being here. While I’m eating, I’m really soaking up the culture of this place. The way everyone talks with their accents and all, I’d swear I’m sitting in some little diner in the Bronx or something. It sounds and feels so New York. I’ve never been to New York but I’m sure this is exactly how it would be. Some character-looking dude makes a grand entrance in the door and throws his arms out wide and announces, “I’m back!” Just like in the movies made in New York. It’s uncanny. I’m getting a very weird feeling come over me like I’m in the Twilight Zone or something and I’m suddenly not in Salem anymore. Oh dear, that’s really scary. Must shake that feeling off! I have found that when you travel alone, you just have too much time to think and my brain’s been having one hell of a good time with me on this trip!
So, I finish eating and I get the HELL back to my hotel room! I go to bed at 9:30 p.m. I’m exhausted and tomorrow is another day here in Salem, Mass! Say goodnight, Janet!
I’ve included a few photos below of my walk through Salem on this day. Hope you like these as much as I did taking them!
This is the original of my 2nd place winner in the Salem Photo Contest (at the top of this page).
House of the Seven Gables on Salem Harbor
Morning Glory Bed and Breakfast on Salem Harbor
Spooky Store Fronts on Salem Harbor
Witch’s Brew Cafe
My Salem Happenings 