Plimoth

We'd planned to catch the T to the airport to pick up our hire car, but it was raining. We chickened out and caught a taxi. Pathetic, I know. Daniel's stoked with the car - it's a black Nissan Maxima with a sunroof and NY plates. Very cool and very comfortable. If I put my seat right back, my feet can't touch the front of the foot-space. The rain intensified, which meant that our first driving experience was navigating our way out of Boston, on the freeways, with no visibility. Daniel's driving, but I'm the co-pilot - I hold the Tom Tom, give him directions, calm him down when he doesn't know what's going on, tell him off when he's driving to the left side of the lane rather than the right etc. You get the point. Everything aside, though, he's doing a damn good job of it.

Driving

We'd planned to address the weather conditions as we met them, not buying any gear until we needed it. Well that plan backfired, and the weather had a good laugh at our expense. The rain had arrived for the day, and it wasn't planning on going anywhere. In Plymouth we went aboard the replica of the Mayflower (the creatively named Mayflower II) and visited Plymouth Rock, which I've since read is just a rock - it has been proven that the Pilgrims couldn't have landed there because of the currents.

The highlight of the day was Plimoth Plantation, a recreation of the village the pilgrims created after their arrival. It was, in typical American fashion, populated with actors in character and costume. The American preoccupation with historical re-enactment is a little creepy, and more than a little awkward. I think it's something we need to get used to, because it appears it's going to be very prevalent. However, we did appreciate the fires they had burning within the houses. By the time we bought our tickets it was pouring, and we had a tiny umbrella that clearly wasn't going to withstand the wind. Cue the bright blue tourist ponchos.

Daniel being Daniel

It's a good look, right?

The Village

Looking and feeling like idiots aside, it was an incredible experience and the rain only heightened the atmosphere. Even if we were drenched to the bone by the end of it (Our research tells us that Plymouth received 51mm that day). Our next stop was Newport, Rhode Island, but we made a detour to THE INDEPENDENCE MALL OF AMERICA. Sounds grand, doesn't it? In truth, it's more like the Dianella Plaza than one would imagine, but it's open until 9pm every evening despite the only people there at 7pm on a Tuesday being two very wet Australian tourists.

We drove to Newport in the dark and somehow made it there alive. Staying in a Motel 6 around the corner from a trailer park, next to a Walmart and across the road from an Adults Only Video Store. There's not even a McDonalds in sight. Living the American dream, we think.

The American Dream (Boston)