The first time, I met her at Starbucks. We sat on a couch together and talked for two hours.
The next time, we met at the same Starbucks, on the same couch, then went out for a bit to eat, then went for a two hour walk around town.
Now she’s expecting me to come up with something else. She won’t drive into town much closer than that particular Starbucks, and as I don’t have a car, I’m not so willing to go out of town much farther. I don’t want to keep meeting at the same place, or in the same neighborhood. We’re not at the level where I should be buying her dinner. I don’t know of any bowling alleys in the area, plus I suck at bowling.
Are there any parks or zoos or art galleries or museums or historical houses in the area?
Check out the prices–if you aren’t at the point of buying dinner or you are cheap, not all parks, zoos, museums, etc. will be in your price range. Or you may not want to spend $10 for two hours in a museum where one could spend the whole day. But that’s where I’d start. Give you something to look at and discuss a little.
I was going to suggest the Harvard Natural History Museum or the M.I.T. Museum, but they’re more expensive than I remember ($9.00 and $7.50, respectively).
It’s a beautiful day for skating on the Frog Pond.
Ditto on the art gallery hopping suggestion (private ones, that is).
It’s something The Boy and I did when we were just getting to know each other - grab a coffee in an arty part of town, then stroll through the various galleries and see what’s on display. It gives you something to talk about (or laugh about, if it’s really pretentiously awful) and it won’t cost you a penny. This assumes there are some within walking distance of this Starbucks, obviously.
Too bad it’s winter. My standby fun El Cheapo dates involve flying kites or picnics in the park, but you’ll probably get frostbite trying those out in mid-January.
The Frog Pond is open until 9:00, weather should be cloudy.
Or go to dinner at Bartley’s near Harvard Square. It’s cheap, and if the decor doesn’t give you something to talk about, nothing will. Good neighborhood for walking and browsing.
Oops, I waited too long to get back to her. She was expecting me to get back to her last night, so she made other plans. Oh well, thanks for all the suggestions.
Actually, Saturday afternoon gives you more options. Why not go wander around the North End, or Beacon Hill? Go to Castle Island, or even, if you’re feeling daring, George’s Island.
I’m still trying to find something that doesn’t require her to come into the city. It may be possible to talk her into it, but normally she doesn’t like to get any closer than Brighton.
