#gettingaround

Hi All, 

Moving to college is overwhelming and for some of you, moving to a new city might be as well. Northampton is one of the smallest cities I have ever lived in but has by far the best charm. I thought I would share with you some of the tips I’ve learned from exploring Smith’s backyard this last year. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: In this post I will often be mentioning PVTA buses. These buses are free for 5 College Students if they present their OneCard (which you will receive at orientation on the first day) to the bus driver. Click here for the link to bus schedules. 

1. Nearest mall

Hampshire Mall - 367 Russel St. Hadley

Whether you’re first moving into Smith and need more hangers or you want to go see a movie or buy storage bins at the end of your first year, you’re going to want to head to the Hampshire Mall. The mall has a bunch of stores like Target, Trader Joe’s and Bed Bath and Beyond which will most definitely give you what you need. Click here for the Mall’s directory! To get there from Smith you can take the PVTA Bus B43 which will take you there in 30 minutes top. It might sound like a lot of time to be sitting on the bus, but I promise you, after you’ve done the ride as many times as I have, it really doesn’t feel like that long! If you want to get there quicker, Zipcar, Uber, Lyft and a friend’s car are always another option!

2. Nearest CVS

90 Main St. Northampton

CVS has been a vital part of my Northampton life, I go there at least once every three weeks to pick up my meds, grab snacks and things like toothpaste/shampoo etc if I’m running out. From Duckett House CVS is a 10 minute walk MAX and if you are just too tired to make that walk, the PVTA B43 bus has a stop one block up from CVS so you can cut your walk time in half. 

3. Help! My phone broke! Where do I go? 

AT&T - 140 Main St. Northampton

Verizon - 180 Main St. Northampton 

Apple Store - 50 Holyoke St. Holyoke

First of all, DON’T PANIC. Like every city, Northampton has all the resources to help you fix your phone. If it’s a technical difficulty like your service provider isn’t working right, Northampton has two providers who have stores downtown - Verizon and AT&T. So, if you’re lucky enough to have one of them as your provider you can stop by their store which is only a couple minutes away from Smith. If the problem is an Apple related problem, the town of Holyoke (where Mount Holyoke College is located) has an Apple store which you can use to fix the problem. Getting there is a little more of a hike, it takes at least an hour by bus (R43) but Zipcar, Uber and Lyft are available if you don’t want to take the bus. Or, you could ask a friend to drive you there if you know someone with a car! 

4. Nearest train / bus station

Northampton Train Station - 170 Pleasant St. Northampton 

Peter Pan Bus Terminal - 1 Roundhouse Plaza, Northampton

If you plan to go to a big city for the weekend, like Boston or NYC, chances are you will be leaving out of one of these two places. Northampton has a train that takes you directly into NYC Penn Station in about 4h30min. Depending on when you’re planning to take this adventure, it could cost you $40-80 round trip. The cost is why most Smithies choose Peter Pan Bus Lines as their preferred mode of transport. The bus will take you to NYC Port Authority in 4h and to Boston (South Station, Copley Sq, Park Sq or State House) in an average of 2h30min. Peter Pan Bus prices are pretty unpredictable, depending on if you’re traveling at a peak time (like October Break) the cost could be between $40-60 round trip. I have gotten tickets for Peter Pan for $40 round trip though, so I would say: plan ahead to make sure you get the best price. 

5. Best coffee shops

Woodstar Cafe - 60 Masonic St. Northampton 

Haymarket Cafe - 185 Main St. Northampton

Shelburne Falls Coffee Rosters - 273 Main St. Northampton 

If there’s one thing that you won’t miss while being in Northampton is coffee shops. You can find plenty of Smithies at any one of these three coffee shops which are an average of a 5/10 minute walk from the center of campus. Each of these three cafe’s have such different vibes and so it’s up to you to find your favorite one. My personal favorite is Woodstar because it’s filled with natural light and yummy desserts to snack on while studying. Remember, there are so many coffee shops in Northampton that these three are not the only options! I just picked the three I know that most people tend to go to. 

I hope that helps,

Here are 5 reasons why golf is the thinking person’s pastime. Moving about on a large grassed maze and plotting the strategic pathways of a small white sphere, as it seeks to visit eighteen holes of golf in the least number of strokes is a thinking person’s pastime. This is no off the cuff performance. This is no mad charge up a rugby field. This is no micro-managed pool table. This is life at large upon the big stage; equipped with fourteen sturdy clubs with which to do battle with a largely unseen foe. Practice swings are the stuff of wishful thinking. The only real go you have at it must be strictly counted each time on a scorecard kept in pocket.

The List Of Why Golf Is Strategic In Nature

- You cannot blindly & without strategy whack away at golf. - Every second or third or fourth chance etc. costs you strokes in golf. - You must learn from your mistakes. - Plotting your path is an essential element in the game of golf. - Getting even with your opponent is harder in golf than any other sport. The golf course is your opponent.

Five Reasons Why Golf is the Thinker’s Game

You may wear gabardine or tartan knickerbockers. Or you may prefer hot pink shorts and a Lycra top. Alternatively, you may follow a more conservative route and dress in slacks with a bright white belt. On your head you may wear a cap or a pork pie hat. Sun visors are so passé. The Tam o’ shanter suggests another era altogether. Upon your feet you will likely don some soft spiked shoes to give you better grip. You may choose to wear a single glove on your non-preferred hand. Despite these eccentric foibles in dress, you are quite likely to profess traditional views about the world.

Conservatives Are Attracted To Golf On This Basis

Your opinions about men and women and whether they should play together are firmly held. Gripping a shaft is considered by some sexes to be a masculine pursuit, but familiarity with this important task has often led to better levels of communication. Golf accessories are numerous and very popular gifts. Tees that falsely claim to do things differently, magnetic ball markers, shapely pitch mark repairers, gizmos that enable restricted participants to fetch the ball out of the hole without doing their back-in are all widely supported.

Corporate Golf Days Continue To Be Popular

5 reasons why golf is the thinking person’s pastime. Promotional golf items are extremely popular with corporate businesses who wish to brand each and every ball, shirt, bag and cap. Associating the thinking person’s game with this company or that is seen to be a step in the right direction. Golfers, we are reliably informed, spend more money on their pastime than most others. They may even purchase a motorised buggy to transport them around the course. This vehicle is equipped with multiple orifices for clubs and balls, cups and sand buckets, GPS devices and hand held laser beams. Golf is an obsessive niche pastime and its adherents spend large chunks of time and money perfecting swings and putts. Passionate discussions about greenkeeping and their speeds are not infrequent indulgences to be heard voiced aloud inside bars at the nineteenth hole.

“A recent study showed playing golf affects plasma lipid profile and glucose metabolism more positively than walking. But what about the effects of golf on our most important organ, our brains? “

- (https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/building-brain-capital/202311/stop-handicapping-your-brain-capital-play-golf)

“Golf is a great game and there are millions of people who can attest to that. Some 66 million golfers teed it up around the globe in 2021. It is a game played most obviously with the hands and arms holding a club and swinging it at a small ball. The physical dimension of golf demands great timing and exacting accuracy off the tee and ground toward the target, whether it be fairway or green. Mastering this outer manifestation of the game is no easy task. There is another aspect to golf, however, which is characterised as the mental game. Perhaps, a game within a game? Golf and the Glass Bead game could be a worthy comparison for those familiar with the idea from the novel of Hermann Hesse.”

- (https://www.golfdom.com.au/golf-the-glass-bead-game/)

Robert Sudha Hamilton is the author of The Stoic Golfer; The Golf Book; How To Play Golf; Money Matters and America Matters: Pre-apocalyptic Posts & Essays in the Shadow of Trump.

NOW AVAILABLE AT APPLE BOOKS & GOOGLE PLAY BOOKS

©GolfDom

Introduction: Navigating Gandhinagar is easy and convenient with various transportation options. Whether you're a local or a tourist, this guide will help you get around the city with ease.

🚖 Taxi Services

Convenience: Taxis are a great option for quick and direct travel within Gandhinagar.

Booking: Easily available through local taxi stands or ride-hailing apps like Uber and Ola.

🚌 Public Buses

Budget-Friendly: Gandhinagar’s public bus system is an affordable way to get around.

Routes: There are several routes covering key areas, with buses available throughout the day.

🚲 Rent a Bicycle

Eco-Friendly: For short distances, renting a bicycle is a great way to explore the city while being environmentally conscious.

Availability: Many bicycle rental services are available around popular tourist spots.

🚗 Private Car Rentals

Comfort & Flexibility: Renting a private car provides comfort and flexibility, especially for tourists exploring the city.

Services: You can find car rentals through local agencies or online platforms.

🚶‍♂️ Walking

Walkable Areas: Gandhinagar has several walkable areas, including parks, gardens, and markets.

Explore at Your Own Pace: Walking is a great option to soak in the sights and sounds of the city.

✨ Travel Tips

Traffic: Be mindful of traffic during peak hours, especially near popular spots.

Safety: Always wear a seatbelt in cars and taxis, and be cautious while walking along busy roads.

Apps: Use ride-hailing apps for convenience and better fares.

Read More: Local Transportation Guide of Gandhinagar