Chapter 15 Origin of Boston's North Tour

Two months ago, someone sent a letter to my "Philadelphia for Kerry" mailing group, introducing an "Asian Pacific American for Progress (APAP)" organization, hoping to attract More AAPIs are participating. I was very interested in reading it, so I followed the introduction in the letter and came to their website: I joined this APAP, and then I started to receive emails from them irregularly.However, we Asians are quite considerate. We only receive an email in about two weeks, unlike the email group of Kerry supporters in Philadelphia, who can’t wait for as many as ten letters every day, and sometimes even quarrel with each other.

In June, APAP announced in a letter that they would hold a training class in Boston to provide basic skills training for Asian-Pacific Americans interested in political activities, taking advantage of the Democratic National Convention (Democratic National Convention) held in Boston.The Democratic National Convention will be held from July 26 (Monday) to 29 (Thursday), and the APAP training class will start from July 24 (Saturday) and end on Tuesday, which lasts for 4 days.Due to the sponsorship of the host, students only need 25 US dollars to participate, and for working people like me, it is only 50 US dollars. Accommodation, all breakfasts and some lunches and dinners are also provided.At that time, I just felt that I was inexperienced. I wanted to help Kerry in the election, but I had nothing to say. Wouldn't this cheap and high-quality training course be a good place to start?So signed up immediately.

The first two days of the training class were weekends, and it was held through an organization called Democratic Grassroots Activities Institute and Network (hereinafter referred to as GAIN). A Rock the Vote concert last Sunday night.Monday is APAP's own event, and you can go to an Asian party in the evening.Tuesday is a free event, but APAP recommended an event called "Revolutionary Women's Conference" (RevolutionaryWomenEvents). This is because the Democratic National Convention is being held in Boston, and various organizations under the Democratic Party are also taking the opportunity. I think this event has some Female political celebrities such as Hillary Clinton and former Secretary of State Albright attended, and they only paid 10 yuan to register to participate.

The rest is to buy air tickets, prepare clothes and so on.Fortunately, I just went to Boston two months ago, so I know better.Of course, on the other hand, I just drove there last time, and now I bought a plane ticket to make a special trip, which seems to be a waste of resources.However, my understanding is that the last time I went there was for fun, and this time I went to learn Buddhist scriptures, so let’s take it as a travel note to the North. Two days before departure, I suddenly received a letter from the Kerry Campaign team (Kerry Campaign), saying that Kerry himself will come to Philadelphia next Tuesday to hold a rally It's better for "pushing".), calling on us to actively participate.This kind of event is free, of course I really want to participate, but unfortunately I am attending the "Revolutionary Women's Conference" in Boston next Tuesday, and it is too late to change my ticket, so I have to give up regretfully.

The road to Boston was not smooth.According to the original plan, I arrived in Boston at about 8:00, took the subway and bus to the destination Regis College (Regis College), just in time for APAP's brief welcome meeting at 9:00.But due to the storm, the flight was delayed for 4 hours. When I landed in Boston, it was already 12:35 in the middle of the night.I came to the service center at the airport and asked if there was still a subway. The service staff told me sympathetically that the subway stopped at 12:30. "Are there no special shifts during the Democratic convention?" I asked with a glimmer of hope.Before I set off, I received an email from the booking website, warning that due to the huge passenger flow of the Democratic Party Convention in Boston, many shifts and schedules have been changed, and we need to prepare in advance.Maybe, the subway runs overtime too?

"No." The service staff said firmly.But she still took out a subway map to me for reference. I had no choice but to pay more than 50 dollars out of my own pocket and take a taxi.It was 1:30 in the morning when I finally arrived at Regis College due to the long queue for the taxi.Fortunately, the organizer was still waiting for me there, and when I finally arrived, he gave me a warm hug when he came up.I thanked them, signed in quickly, and asked guiltily: "I'm probably the last one?" "No, there are four more behind you!" "Oh," I laughed, "I don't feel so guilty now!"

The next morning, I met one of them in the restaurant and she told me that they stayed until 4 o'clock last night.In comparison, I slept for four or five hours, which is too much.Regis College's accommodation conditions are still very good, each room has two beds, but because there are not many people who come, most of them can occupy a room by themselves, so although this sleep is short, the sleep is quite solid of.