Hanukah was actually somewhat tricky this year. Finding proper Hanukah candles is a tough job in Cambridge.
The first night, I figured I would just pick up some candles at the CVS in harvard square. Although they had an entire aisle full of Christmas tree lights, they did not have a single box of Hanukah candles. I know CVS does have a store brand of Hanukah candles though – my mom had just bought some back home. I wonder why the Harvard Square CVS did not want any. I’m sure some Jews go to Harvard.
The second night, Melody and I tried the convenience stores in Central Square. Nobody had any there either. The clerk at Walgreen’s gave me a really weird look when I asked too. I decided not to accuse anyone of anti-Semetism as the last time I went to a synogogue was for my cousin’s Bar Mitzvah five years ago. I’ve really only stepped foot in any religious building for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, and deaths. I’m sure churches and synogogues are not as emotional all the time, but it certainly seems that way to me.
The third night I had pretty much given up hope when Melody came back from Papyrus with some very fancy (and somewhat expensive at $11) candles. We lit them up and also found that they take a really long time to burn, almost an hour. These are not good candles to light if you’re planning on going to bed in the near future.
Enjoying the fourth night of Hanukah. You would be excited if you had candles this nice too.
Sadly, I went home after and did the Hanukah thing there. I only used two nights worth of candles so that means that I’ll have to go get some more candles for the last night next year, assuming I don’t lose them in the meantime.
I also tried to make potato latkes (pancakes) but ended up burning my arm pretty badly when trying to pan fry them. Mixes made from water are challenging in this regard. They tasted pretty good though.
