Flashback to Winter 2012: I attended LinkLove Boston in 2012 for work, and decided to head up to Salem ahead of time with my co-worker Claire and my two friends, Lane and Annastacia. It was #2. on my 100 list, Visit Salem. We were disappointed by the lack of actual magical, or actually, exciting things happening there. It is very much a tourist trap and we didn’t have much fun figuring that out.
“A few weeks ago, I challenged the Universe. Interesting to say the least, and there’s not much I want to elaborate on. However, writing is my outlet, and at the end of the day, it’s the one thing that can make me feel better. In life, unfair and complicated things can happen with little or no explanation. You can try to make sense of it, try to figure it out. At the end of the day, when you test the Universe, it’ll test you right back. Push you to your limits. Challenge your strength.
I like to beat life to the punch. I try to figure things out as they happen, try to anticipate conflict. It’s a big reason why I’m really open to spirituality. I try to understand life. I believe in signs, I believe in miracles. I believe that everything happens for a reason. It’s one of the reasons I was so excited to visit Salem, MA. For those who aren’t familiar with it, it’s known for the Salem Witch Trials. It’s a small, cute, New England town, home to psychics and mediums.
I visited before my conference in Boston. On the recommendation of a friend, I booked two nights at the Hawthorne Hotel in downtown Salem. It’s named after Nathaniel Hawthorne, and has played host to countless celebrities and politicians. Supposedly haunted and definitely spooky, the Hawthorne Hotel is a historical part of the town. Although I was greatly anticipating a Slimer-like being pigging out on room service in the hall, I didn’t see or hear anything out of the ordinary. Regardless of the tales our ghost tour guide told us, the ‘haunted’ room across the hall was quiet, the staff was polite, and the breakfast was expensive.
Salem itself was adorable- but definitely more touristy than I would have hoped for. Dunkin Donuts on every corner, condominiums on every block. Could have been the off season, could have been some bad juju, but I don’t think I’ll be venturing back anytime soon. However, I am glad to have crossed it off the list. There are certain places and experiences in life that you don’t want to miss out on. Salem was one of those places for me.”