Visiting Maryland

Day Trip to Baltimore

We planned a week of vacation in September 2022 to go to DC. First to attend my husband’s medical school reunion at Marriot Hotel, which was to last 3 days and 2 nights. We have attended these soirees quite a few times. They are well-organized affairs with a social gathering of old friends who come to attend the meeting from all over the United States and their origin being, of course, Hyderabad India. The food offered for breakfast and lunch usually is continental and western style, but the dinner is usually an upscale gourmet Mughlai meal with Hyderabadi favorites which everyone enjoys. The meeting was scheduled to start on Friday, 16th September, and to end on Sunday, 18th September after breakfast, etc.

We left home at 6 am on Friday for our flight at 9.30 am. On our way to the airport, we got an email informing us that the American airline flight will be 15 minutes late. We got there, checked in, got breakfast, and settled down in the waiting area only to be told that it was further delayed to 12 pm. There was no further information for another hour, and neither was a sign of the incoming aircraft. When I approached the desk and insisted on information, at the check-in counter, the customer service agent reluctantly told me that it was due to a maintenance issue. We accepted and decided to wait only to get another update about a longer delay until 5. pm.  At this point, we decided that we should cancel the flight which may eventually be canceled. Since we didn’t want to waste time waiting in line, I went to the check-in counter and asked them to have our luggage pulled and to cancel the flight. A great idea! She told me to go to another service center which was right across from them. When I approached, there was only one couple in line. The guy behind the counter knew what he was doing and took care of the issue in less than five minutes. Our flight was canceled, and he issued us a luggage release ticket with clear directions about how to proceed. We went to the luggage room and got the luggage. We were, luckily, in time for a scheduled Boston Express back to Tyngsboro-a quick trip to DC and back. We got home before 4pm. 

But that was not the end of our problem, As the trip was to be continued for an extra one week with our daughter and son who live in DC and Fulton MD, they did not like the idea that we canceled, and were, potentially, not ready to take on the hassle of the same magnitude the very next day. After some deliberations, Jaffer got back on the task of rebooking the next morning. We got a late afternoon flight and instead of National Airport where Tazeen was going to pick us up, we found a flight to BWI which meant Ashfaq would have to pick us up. that worked out well because Tazeen had already decided on a day trip to Delaware with a possible overnight. 

Anyway, Ashfaq was happy to pick us up.  As we got home around 6.30pm Tazeen called and informed Rana, our daughter-in-law, that she was getting back around 7 pm. Rana had a great meal ready, Tazeen also joined us for dinner, and we devoured a scrumptious meal. Tazeen decided to spend the night with us and spend the day with all of us in Baltimore sightseeing. The only problem was that Rana couldn’t join us because she had to be with the kids. Again, she treated us to a delicious spread, a meal to remember when we got back. We all inhaled it as always. Thank you, Rana.

The next day was Sunday the 18th of September, we all left after our breakfast to go on to Baltimore for sightseeing as planned. The art galleries were currently showcasing collections of art from Africa. Since we were breezing through, we were able to see only a selection of African Art, and Oceanic art- in other words, we scratched the surface.

Baltimore Museum of Art:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen:

There was a restaurant on the premises called Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen where we decided to have our brunch. Their menu sounded delicious, and it was.

• 

• 

After the brunch, we headed out to visit the inner harbor. It was a perfect day for the outdoors. Due to time constraints, we did not plan on any water sports or boating. We Walked around the harbor to enjoy its vibrancy and scenic waterfront views. There are beloved museums all around the inner harbor. The historic ships docked along the pier are now floating museums. There is a wealth of information and unending activities to be had in the museums. There is a massive selection of restaurants with a vast choice of food for you to take a break from your exploration. It could offer die-hard tourists days of exploration opportunities. Although there was so much to see and do, we only had enough time to watch the fun around us. What we experienced was a drop in the ocean. We got home, had dinner, and spent a relaxed evening before driving back with Tazeen to stay with her family for the next few days. 

Inner Harbor Area:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

More to come.