The Waiters Day Off
by Andy Strauss

It was 1974. There were 26 of us. The most of any one age group ever. We piled in two vans. Our destination was Boston. I believe that one of the vehicles was driven by my counselor, "Chick" Lebowitz. The other may have been with Sherwin Baer behind the wheel.

I remember being stuffed in the place usually reserved for luggage. I was with three other small guys. One wise guy had the bright idea of having a Chinese fire drill. Although there may have been stories about this occuring it never did.

I remember visiting M.I.T. and how impressed I was with their library (very impressed considering I hated reading). They basically let us loose on beantown. We were more or less on our best behavior.

The one thing I will never forget about this day was that it was August 8 which was the day Nixon resigned. I distinctly remember listening to his speech outside a McDonalds on the immediate outskirts of Boston at night.

Looking back I realize how lucky we were to be able to go on such a trip. I remember being told by past waiters how their days off consisted of trips to very local spots. Either they were being nice or they wanted a break from our mischevious antics.