Something's Brewing in Salem!

On our way back from Nova Scotia we decided to break the drive up a bit more so that we wouldn't be so tired and spent when we had to return back to work.

So on our way to Nova Scotia it came to me that we were going right through Massachusetts! When we had cable I was always watching the Travel Channel and all those Paranormal type shows. That was how I found myself in Scotland nearly 10 years ago now. I would get ready for work and have the travel shows on in the background and next thing you know I had to live it for myself!

I guess we can thank shows like Passport and Globe Trekkers for this one too! I have had a fascination with the Salem Witch Trials ever since I heard of them. This was my opportunity to go and experience Salem for myself. Fortunately for me my husband is a willing participant. LOL! We decided on our way back we would drive as far as Bangor Maine the first day and then the next day drive 4-5 hours to Salem, Massachusetts. Come to find out that Salem was also a major contributor for the spice trades as well seeing as they are right on the water. It reminded me a lot of some of the small fishing communities in Nova Scotia. 

There were a lot of large colonial style houses and then you would see quite a few of the what I call Puritan times type houses. I have no idea what they are officially called. But if you have ever seen the Crucible than you would know what I mean. Paul had booked us at a really nice hotel on the water. I was happy he didn't book us at the most haunted hotel in America which was only a few blocks away. We unloaded our stuff and took off on foot to explore the town. I must admit a lot of it was a tourist trap but when you can find those honest to goodness hidden gems it makes it worth it. The town is filled with new age shops, everything from Christianity type shops, to Angels, and of course Occult shops. In there would be sprinkled with herbalists, and healers. I couldn't help but feel some people were cashing in on the whole "Witch" thing. We went to the Salem Witch Museum to get more about the history of what actually happened in 1692. It was very interesting. There were in total 19 woman hung, 1 man was crushed to death because he refused to confess to being a witch. There were over 150 woman and children jailed and forgotten about after all was said and done. A real shame. It was all started they think by either a fungus from wheat that can cause hallucinations and erratic behavior and just some general people accusing their neighbor with whom they  had a personal grudge with. What ever the case it is a heart breaking story of one woman that really struck me. 

Her name was Rebecca Nurse, she was an elderly woman who was also def. Some the the village girls accused her of being a witch. She was thrown in jail and then when she was there they still accused her of traveling in their dreams and threatening them so they chained the poor woman in her cell. Finally as she was standing trial they originally found her not guilty. The same girls accused her again and told them to re-tri her. When they did they found her guilty. She was def and too old to defend herself  at that point so she was sentenced to hanging. Which at the time was the punishment for a Civil crime which is what they considered this to be. Not only that; it was said that all of the others that were jailed they had to pay for being in there so most of them when they were allowed to go free couldn't pay their debt so they were kept in jail. 

After that we walked our way over to the oldest cemetery in Salem where a passenger from the  Mayflower was buried as well as the Judge who found all those women guilty was also laid to rest here. Along with some  other dignitaries. Now I consider myself to be a sensitive person. Meaning I can feel strong empathetic energies about things and have been known to have some paranormal experiences in the past. Once I stepped foot inside the cemetery and started walking around and got this terrible sense of nausea, and heavy feeling on my chest. This was not a place of rest let me tell you. There is some bad mojo going on there. Based on the law of attraction I can see why. A place like Salem attracts people that might be looking for something. Some good and some not so good. Not all of it is bad, but there is bad there, so you have to be careful if you are open to these sorts of things or have a healthy curiosity about this type of thing. Be aware of this, and look for the good.

Right next to that is the Witch Memorial. All of those accused have since been cleared of their charges but only in death did this happen. Quite a shame once again. You walk around and you see their names and date of death, and it really hits you. This is no fable made up to scare you, these were real woman and men who lost their lives because of petty judgement and in some cases ignorance. We see this type of history repeat itself time and time again. Maybe people aren't being hung for it but how many times have you judged someone for their appearance or their personal beliefs that may differ from yours?

This place has a lot to offer and if you are into history or have a healthy curiosity for the unknown then I would suggest you check it out. Like anything there is good and there is bad. Even my husband who in no way buys into any of the woo woo stuff, felt a vibe around this place. We walked into one shop that appeared to anyone else like a normal souvenir shop but I walked in one door and out the other. I can't explain what was going on there, but the owner or who I think was the owner gave me a very uneasy feeling. A bit later we walked past another shop, I had read about it online and was interested to see what they had. The woman that owned it was hardcore let me tell you. She screamed gypsy! But in a good way. As soon as I walked in I felt welcomed, safe, and guided. The complete opposite of the previous place. You can tell this woman is willing to help those who want it and not just in it for personal gain or cause harm. When we walked out and I didn't say anything to Paul about any of the feelings I had been getting. He looked at me and said "Wow, that store had a great vibe! Not like that other place, that place just felt weird and not cool." I smiled to myself and agreed.

We continued to walk through the town and found a really lovely place. My dream place really. If I was to ever do a shop I would love to take it in this sort of holistic direction. The lady sold nothing but herbs, and teas to help with whatever ailed you. Of course for me to become and herbalist requires a lot more schooling and I am not ready to take that on just yet. Maybe I will just live vicariously through those who already know what they are doing. The smell of the shop was amazing and comforting. We actually found ourselves going back there after our walk about before heading to dinner. Once again you never know what you might find waiting for you.

For dinner the hotel we were staying at recommended this restaurant called Green Land. Oh my goodness it was amazing!!!! I don't get excited about food and very seldom will I eat dessert, but this place made me do it! I had the asparagus, wild mushroom fettucini. Everything they make there is in season and local. Which means you pay a bit more than at say the guy next doors place but totally worth it. Paul had some sort of pilaf type dish which was also very good. But he kept starring and at my dish longingly so I eventually gave him some of mine. Dessert was homemade wild berry and chocolate chip bread pudding. To die for! Seriously so good. Once again if you are in the area I really suggest you give this place a chance. You won't be disappointed.

Another stop worth checking out, which sadly we arrived to late to take the tour is the House of Seven Gables. It inspired the novel of the same name. Was built in 1668 and it is said that each gable represents a marker on a compass. Anyway we walked around the outside and it was quite something. It over looks the water and even the street running along side of it has some really interesting houses that were built around the same period.

Once we got back to our hotel we got ready for bed and they had put us in a room that had two beds in it cause it was the cheapest. So all our stuff was on one bed, but the room had a terrible smell. All day we kept the window open and when we got back however many hours later it was still there. It was odd. I started to get anxious for some reason around 10pm and was ready to leave. Paul convinced me to try and get a few hours sleep since we had a 10 hour drive back the next day. I reluctantly got under the covers, and must have finally dozed off. Until midnight when the alarm clock in the room decided to go off. Twice! We tried to figure out how to turn it off since we didn't even touch it in the first place! As I was going to the bathroom I noticed Paul's inhaler was on the second bed and I thought that was odd so I put in on the night table in case he needed it. The next morning I get out of the shower and Paul says to me "Did you move my inhaler?" I looked at him and he looked at me and I said "Why? Where is it now?" I kept thinking please tell me it's on the night table and not on the bed again. Cause that would freak me right out. Oh and the room still smelled and the window was open all night. Paul said "It was on the night table. But I moved it to the second bed." "I said oh okay good, I moved it yes." Both of us sighed in relief at that moment. LOL! Had I been thinking I should have just played it off but I was already freaked out by the smell that wouldn't go and no it was not us, and the fact that we had already had a strange trip. LOL!
All in all a great experience I am glad I did it. I doubt I would go back there since there are so many other places I need to cross off my Travel Channel inspired list.