This made me laugh, I don’t know whether that poor lady considered you the worst or the best tour participant she had that day! What a neat find, where do you look for ideas for places to tour?
Thanks Renee! I like to think I wasn't a complete jerk and, as I said, trying to be a bit playful and respectful. She did have a job to do and she was fantastic. Though that doesn't mean that later in the day she broke into a "liquid lunch" and told the other guides "I win the weirdo pool for today...pony up!" :) For this specific book project I researched around slightly lesser-known destinations and unique finds that are about an hour from Boston. I wanted to keep the travel radius manageable--things you can do in a few hours, a half day etc. I had caught images of The Crane estate on Instagram over the last few years and had always done that "That place looks bananas..gotta check that out." And the book gave me a great excuse! But honestly, there is no shortage of interesting, hidden finds all over New England. Thanks again! I'm really honored by the support :)
I love that you were so good channeling Amelia Earhart! I would venture that most people alive today i.e. the gamey public which you so accurately described, don't have that much knowledge of her (apart from the movie The Aviator where she was played by Cate Blanchett, or Gen X people who learned about her back in school).
It's actually pretty cosmic for me that you wrote about touring New England rich people estates from the 1920s, and in particular Amelia Earhart! You mentioned the Vanderbilts - my hubs has an aunt based in that region so one time when we went to visit, I wasn't too averse to her driving us to Newport RI so we could see as many of the mansions as possible. It was pretty interesting and obviously very opulent with beautiful grounds, in particular The Breakers! I think I know the answer already 😉 but didja ever see them?
Thank God we didn't have to role play like you did though 😆 Cuz my Cornelius Vanderbilt impression is not too good, unlike the guy that is always a guest on the CNN New Year's Eve ball drop with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. To me it never gets old, I laugh so hard every. single. time.
But the main thing that I identified with is that I HAVE ALSO ROLE PLAYED AMELIA EARHART. Well, I dressed up as her! My family is legendary for our themed parties, so one time for my Lola's birthday parties, the theme was 1920s since that was the decade she was born.
The other women in my fam busted out their flapper dresses and suchlike. That is not my jam at all, yet I didn't want to be a party pooper either by not getting in the spirit for Lola. So I had the great idea to come as Amelia! I already had swim goggles, a brown leather jacket, khaki pants, tall boots, and a scarf. And voila! The party was very fun btw 🥳
Thanks again my friend for rekindling those fond memories ❤️ And I cannot wait for your photo book!!
GAHHHHHHHHH!!!! SAMESIESSSSS!!! Girl..I think Amelia is STALKING US!! Do you have the impulse to take flying lessons? Me neither. Sorry Ames--we suck, but we will definitely channel you every damn chance we get. That is truly incredible. Also: please write something about your family's "legendary" themed parties! Way to bury the damn lede!!! Palms under chin I am LISTENING! I'm so happy you visited the Newport Mansion....holeeee smokes. Those places. It's been a few years since I've been down there, but I always enjoy them..the other other OTHER half lives and everything. Um, I will say that even when there is no "suggested" role play involved in the tour, I usually end up adding in my own facts and colorful anecdotes to whomever is unlucky enough to be with me visiting the place...usually my partner. I'd be all "Here's something other tour guides won't tell you. The Breakers was initially named for a horrible baked BEAN fiasco involving 500 gaseous guests in 1897..." I AM the horrible public. Now get off this thing and give me 250 words on those parties, Marmi!!! :) X!
OMG I just snorted out my morning coffee through my nostrils at your Breakers bit!! OK my friend, will whip up something on our famous themed parties. I (and even though they did all the work and are glad the one in January was the last one, my cousins as well) really miss them <3
HAA! You are kind. Well, they may have to: "We don't want another one of THOSE in the group.." :) I should have told them that I'm available for their next murder mystery party :)
This sounds like so much fun! The only thing that could've been better is if it had turned into a murder mystery halfway through. :D
YES!!! I had a few moments where I thought “What if Amelia was also a detective....hmmm?” 😉
This made me laugh, I don’t know whether that poor lady considered you the worst or the best tour participant she had that day! What a neat find, where do you look for ideas for places to tour?
Thanks Renee! I like to think I wasn't a complete jerk and, as I said, trying to be a bit playful and respectful. She did have a job to do and she was fantastic. Though that doesn't mean that later in the day she broke into a "liquid lunch" and told the other guides "I win the weirdo pool for today...pony up!" :) For this specific book project I researched around slightly lesser-known destinations and unique finds that are about an hour from Boston. I wanted to keep the travel radius manageable--things you can do in a few hours, a half day etc. I had caught images of The Crane estate on Instagram over the last few years and had always done that "That place looks bananas..gotta check that out." And the book gave me a great excuse! But honestly, there is no shortage of interesting, hidden finds all over New England. Thanks again! I'm really honored by the support :)
I love that you were so good channeling Amelia Earhart! I would venture that most people alive today i.e. the gamey public which you so accurately described, don't have that much knowledge of her (apart from the movie The Aviator where she was played by Cate Blanchett, or Gen X people who learned about her back in school).
It's actually pretty cosmic for me that you wrote about touring New England rich people estates from the 1920s, and in particular Amelia Earhart! You mentioned the Vanderbilts - my hubs has an aunt based in that region so one time when we went to visit, I wasn't too averse to her driving us to Newport RI so we could see as many of the mansions as possible. It was pretty interesting and obviously very opulent with beautiful grounds, in particular The Breakers! I think I know the answer already 😉 but didja ever see them?
Thank God we didn't have to role play like you did though 😆 Cuz my Cornelius Vanderbilt impression is not too good, unlike the guy that is always a guest on the CNN New Year's Eve ball drop with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. To me it never gets old, I laugh so hard every. single. time.
But the main thing that I identified with is that I HAVE ALSO ROLE PLAYED AMELIA EARHART. Well, I dressed up as her! My family is legendary for our themed parties, so one time for my Lola's birthday parties, the theme was 1920s since that was the decade she was born.
The other women in my fam busted out their flapper dresses and suchlike. That is not my jam at all, yet I didn't want to be a party pooper either by not getting in the spirit for Lola. So I had the great idea to come as Amelia! I already had swim goggles, a brown leather jacket, khaki pants, tall boots, and a scarf. And voila! The party was very fun btw 🥳
Thanks again my friend for rekindling those fond memories ❤️ And I cannot wait for your photo book!!
GAHHHHHHHHH!!!! SAMESIESSSSS!!! Girl..I think Amelia is STALKING US!! Do you have the impulse to take flying lessons? Me neither. Sorry Ames--we suck, but we will definitely channel you every damn chance we get. That is truly incredible. Also: please write something about your family's "legendary" themed parties! Way to bury the damn lede!!! Palms under chin I am LISTENING! I'm so happy you visited the Newport Mansion....holeeee smokes. Those places. It's been a few years since I've been down there, but I always enjoy them..the other other OTHER half lives and everything. Um, I will say that even when there is no "suggested" role play involved in the tour, I usually end up adding in my own facts and colorful anecdotes to whomever is unlucky enough to be with me visiting the place...usually my partner. I'd be all "Here's something other tour guides won't tell you. The Breakers was initially named for a horrible baked BEAN fiasco involving 500 gaseous guests in 1897..." I AM the horrible public. Now get off this thing and give me 250 words on those parties, Marmi!!! :) X!
OMG I just snorted out my morning coffee through my nostrils at your Breakers bit!! OK my friend, will whip up something on our famous themed parties. I (and even though they did all the work and are glad the one in January was the last one, my cousins as well) really miss them <3
YAY!!! Can’t wait!! 💥♥️
Brilliantly fun, wish I'd been on this tour, looking forward to the rest!
Thanks Shire! I don't know if Anna agreed, but I like to think I gave HER a good story to tell as well! :)
Absolutely! There will never be a more apt Amelia, they should just retire the card now, only to be revived upon your return. 😋
HAA! You are kind. Well, they may have to: "We don't want another one of THOSE in the group.." :) I should have told them that I'm available for their next murder mystery party :)