Boston

 I left NYC on a day pouring with rain which always makes the travel day a little less fun. Nevertheless, I got to New Haven for a quick pitstop overnight. It rained almost the entire time I was there, but I did get a run in, had a reasonable look around Yale and it also featured my first Chipotle experience. For the record, far better food that I expected.

It turns out, I have inadvertently picked travel dates that are chasing ivy league college graduations around which certainly explains why the accommodation costs were high in the east. I’ve followed graduations of NYU, Yale, Boston University and Harvard so far! I poked my head into the Harvard event whilst I was there, unsurprisingly I can confirm that American’s go wayyyy harder on their ceremonies than Utas does. I feel robbed. The Yale event was so big that they had police blocking off the streets and security at every entrance. I can confirm that Yale is the most beautiful school I’ve ever seen, and I have major envy for all Yale attendees and alumni. If I ever feel a need to study again that will be my first pick (and no doubt first rejection).

Given the rich running history with Boston I had been sure that this would be a city I would enjoy. I also speculated it would been a great place given it’s one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. My expectations were high. But still, I hadn’t set them high enough. I could stop writing right here and end with I love Boston. But that wouldn’t be good blogging.

Boston isn’t an enormous city (around 650k) so it’s less hectic than others. Despite being smaller, the amenities of the city are great (IMO anyway, the locals don’t seem to know how good they got it). The city is full of old (and beautiful) red brick buildings that are to die for. I could have strolled around Beacon Hill forever, it’s so stunning and surprisingly quiet given it’s essentially in the middle of the city. If I ever have more money that I know what to do with buying a holiday home in this suburb will top my wish list. The parks (Boston Common and the Public Gardens) are beautiful, and I spent several sunny afternoons filling in time lazing and people watching here. In the days leading up to Memorial Day (public holiday to commemorate military service personnel) Boston Common was adorned with hundreds of small American flags – over the top for sure (like everything in this country) but nevertheless a rather spectacular display that stopped me mid run to gaze at.

I almost didn’t bother going to the Public Library, because I thought... it’s just a library honestly how good could it be? Fortunately, I decided that it might be worth a look. The Library is stunning. The more well-known reading hall is quite spectacular, photo’s look great but don’t do it justice.

If day-time Boston was impressing me then night-time Boston was an absolute serve. The night-time city lights are just something else here. Dreamy. I became much more of a night owl that I usually am chasing the city lights every night! This wasn’t a bad thing, it led me out to different areas for dinner each night, so I got a good look around and ate differently. Speaking of eating, the food here was off the charts; from italian in the North End to pubs in Cambridge I feel like I got all the food destinations in! I found eating nutritiously much less of a task here than other cities, salad bars and meals that include vegetables were much easier to come by. Paired with a good deal of running and I’m physically feeling the best I have since landing in LA. I did treat myself to a cannoli from Mike’s (a dessert institution in Boston) on my last night. I had to line up down the street to do so but as I have no responsibilities, I had the time.

The coffee here has been almost Australian level good (I know, this place just keeps getting better). They even know how to make a flat white which seems to bamboozle the rest of this country, which I find absurd given all the 10000 options of coffee-somethings you can get at Starbucks. If you like a coffee that isn’t a litre in volume I recommend ordering a Cortado if you’re in the States. It’s a smaller, stronger latte – bigger than a piccolo but smaller than a regular coffee.

And the running. If you follow my Strava then you will already know I have been frothing the running here! My highlight is running along the Charles River, this is the quintessential Boston run and it’s stunning. The river path is, firstly, a really decent flat path (my cooked ankles were not at risk here), and it’s incredibly beautiful with foliage and river views, cute foot bridges and parks. You can easily get a 15-18km run in and it’s lovely the whole way. I also went out to Arnold Arboretum and really enjoyed the peaceful scenery. There are plenty of paths around Boston Common and the Public Gardens but do avoid Sunday afternoons as its full of people. I also did a hike in the Blue Hills Reservation. I tackled the Skyline Loop which was a moderately challenging rocky hike. Not runnable as most of if is rock scrambling, but there are plenty of options for trail running here too if you consider flat city runs boring. I did also manage to find a public track which lead to a very cup filling session! I’m embracing road running but my heart is still with the track. Ultimately, running in Boston is as good as you’d imagine. I did have a look at the marathon finish line too, didn’t attempt the course though (maybe one day when I live here in my fancy house in the most expensive neighbourhood in the world hahahaha).

As I had a decent amount of time here it gave me the flexibility to venture out of the city. I spent a day in Salem learning more about witches (lol) and the witch trials – really interesting. I really wanted to meet some Wikkans, sadly I did not that I know of. The city of Salem is almost 400 years old meaning the history is pretty incredible. I also visited the famed ‘House of the Seven Gables’ which again, is a 397-year-old building on its original footings. Quite amazing. Whilst I had heard of the novel, I didn’t know anything about the story, the author, nor the long history of the house - it was well worth the visit. On a particularly warm spring day here (30C) I even got out to the beach! Got nothing on Australian beaches but there was sand and water.

I continue to be asked for help on subways. I’m starting to think it is me.

I have been experiencing a strange occurrence lately of people mistaking me for someone they know. I have been a Brooke and a Miss Adams and some other person called me a movie star but that might have been different. I always thought I was relatively unique in appearance (remember how someone thought I was Persian ha) but perhaps, in-fact, I look just like everyone else.

For anyone that has been following my IG and also NBA might have noticed the overlap between my time in Boston and the NBA Playoffs which are currently featuring the Celtics. For those curious, pubs/bars/restaurants/the hospitality industry goes off on gameday. It’s a sea of green everywhere. It’s very commonplace to go watch the game in a public venue rather than at home. For those not following NBA, Celtics are closing in on (apparently) the best comeback in history, so things have been hectic. Men in bars love telling me things about NBA I didn’t ask about. I do usually watch the games, but I try to find a quieter bar with less aggressive customers.

It has taken five weeks, but on my second last night in Boston I finally got asked the question I have been dying to hear:

“Would you like fries or tatter totts with that?” Welp stick a fork in me, I am done. Finally got my totts and they were phenomenal.

I have still been making my way around using cash only. This, at times, has been a nuisance but all-in-all I am managing. I’m already getting sick of explaining to various operators that I can’t use a card or pay with an app! If I could I would, but I can’t so I shan’t. It has, however, forced me to be really financially accountable so I have been living very economically. I can’t wait to have my cards back again in a few weeks! There are just so many things that can’t be done without an online booking or payment these days. It meant I’ve had to find mostly free and easily accessible things to do (no boujie wine trips haha). Big picture, no big deal I am still on the trip of a lifetime and grateful to be so. I mostly enjoy moseying about seeing what’s what anyways.

I’m sure you will also be pleased to know that despite staying in a hostel I have been sleeping well. I’ve had a bunch of interesting roomies here including a girl who has recently moved from Ukraine to the USA to flee the war. She came to Boston alone and was ready and rearing to hit the clubs by herself the moment she arrived! I adored her independence and spirit.

I’ve loved my time in Boston, it’s jumped straight to the top of my favourite US cities list meaning Chicago has big shoes to fill! I will soon be able to deliver the verdict on deep-dish pizza and lobster rolls! Can’t wait!