#ruthiliciousTravels to Witches' Town in Salem, Massachusetts

Happy Halloween, Everyone! 

Some of you might be shocked to know that I don't really celebrate Halloween. And that this "holiday" is not really that important to me. I don't even care about the candies and the costumes are too much for me.

But what I really like and interested in are the witches and the witching stuff. LOL

So when I found out that Massabesic Adult Education was offering a Day Trip to Salem, Massachusetts last year, I signed up and I went on a Day Trip... all by myself.

The VIP Bus picked the Day Trippers up in Biddeford Park and Ride at around 8am. We picked up a few more people in Wells and off to the Turnpike. 

The VIP Bus was decked in spooky decor. Our driver and his assistant (his Wife) were wearing  costumes too to complete the vibes. Our Driver was a skeleton and his wife was a Hipie.

Most of the passengers were wearing costumes too. I wasn't wearing costumes because I don't have one. Or maybe I was. I was wearing my yoga outfit which is my regular outfit whether I'm teaching yoga or not so yes, I went as a Yoga Teacher. LOL

We reached Salem at quarter past ten. The town was already busy busting with festivities. People traffic was so intense. I can count in my hands how many people were not in costumes.

Of course, there were a lot of witches roaming around freely and without being judged or burned. It's their day to shine. While a lot of princesses and superheroes are also in tow and in strollers. Baby human animals of all species were out of the woods in their parents arms.

I went to the local shopping area for witches, of course and I was amazed at the stuff they are selling here. I was in my happy place. Anything that calls for shopping is a happy place for me, anyways.

So I browsed everything from crystals, talisman, potions, tarot and oracle cards, brooms (of course there are brooms there, it's the witches means of transportation), and a lot more that I don't actually know and I don't realize are part of culture of tribe.

I left early and had no time to eat breakfast so I had a fancy buffet brunch in Nathaniel's Restaurant at the Hawthorne Hotel which is a historic place established in 1925 in the heart of Salem, and is a proud member of the Historic Hotels of America.

Anyway, I had a great time having an expensive brunch all by myself and enjoyed the feeling of being in a historic place dining like a queen. I realized that eating breakfast in porcelain dishes and sitting on a fancy chair with big windows behind me made me feel like a millionaire.

I would love to do it again.

And by the way, while I was eating I was asked if I am coming for the Halloween Ball that night. Whoa, so apparently that Hotel is a yearly venue for the Halloween Ball. Maybe someday I would love to do it. I just don't know how I'll get myself to attend it. I'm guessing, by invitation or buying an expensive ticket or getting bitten by a vampire? Who knows?

After my yummy buffet brunch, I went to the Information Center where I purchased a ticket for a 70 minutes Walking Tour. It was a great experience as well. I learned a lot about the town and the historical part of it. Some of the perceived ideas and whatever impressions people had of this town was clarified.

Our Tour Guide was wearing a century outfit of a Gentleman of that era and carrying around a CVS paper bag that holds his water bottle and other stuff. That part got me confused. But he has a good sense of humor and was able to keep my attention intact all throughout the tour.

After the tour, I went to see two of the famous historical landmarks in Salem, the House of the Seven Gables which is Nathaniel Hawthorne's birthplace house and Ye Olde Pepper Companie which is dubbed as America's oldest candy company which is ironically not selling pepper but candies.

I didn't get the chance to see the House of the Seven Gables because the ticket line was so long I was afraid I'd miss my ride home. But I was able to go to the candy store and bought myself the "Black Jack" which you can only buy at that store (I'm guessing) and is basically a candy made of molasses.

Well, I spent the last half hour of the day at the marina where I started my Solo Day Trip waiting for the rest of our crew to take the  bus home. I spent it browsing more stuff at the stores around the area and spying on people some more.

It was indeed an exciting experience and I will surely be back... this time with my family or friends.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!