Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Today’s our last day in Massachusetts (booo!!) and since we only have one day to explore Boston, we’re just giving ourselves a little taste of the city for when we come back someday. No real to-do list, just good old fashioned exploring.

When we first arrived here I had the impression that the city was super concrete and industrial, but I am glad to say I was very wrong. We arrived at Boston Commons park and walked through massive green weeping willows to get to Commonwealth Avenue and Newbury Street, the shopping district in Back Bay. I swear I could have spent the whole day just here, not even for the shopping but just for how stunning it is. The 200 year old renovated brick brownstones are modelled after a French boulevard from the Victorian era, and so well preserved that many of them seem like they’re basically new. The whole area is lined with trees, decorated with elaborate floral displays and brimming with eateries, bakeries and shops.

It was raining off and on, and fairly chilly, so we figured a few hours at a museum or two was just the ticket, however Boston really did not want us in a museum today! We tried three different museums, the first was booked solid, the second was closed and the third had a lineup so long we would have been waiting for half the day just to get in!

Instead we wandered around the Boston Public Library, peeking into the famous Bates Hall and admiring the incredible architecture and art. All over the library elaborate murals and frescos covered the walls and ceilings. Pauline was particularly excited to see the John Singer Sargent mural cycle from the late 1800’s, The Triumph of Religion, which took 29 years to paint. The cycle decorates the walls of a vaulted chamber while gilded wall edges shone with the light coming in through the skylight. I just cannot believe this is something people can do.

Still in awe from the paintings, we walked through the rain over to the wharf for some lunch and of course a slice of Boston cream pie. Somewhere along the way we realized we were at the American Revolutionary site of the 1773 Boston Tea Party, which was such a wild thing to just stumble across. Oh right. That little event!

We walked all the way back to the hostel to pack before our little dinner and movie date! On theme, we ate at the Green Dragon Tavern where the American Revolution was planned, guns and quotes and paraphernalia covering the walls. Weirdly, there was also a massive collection of police patches lining the wall. No revolutions to see here Mr. Sheriff Sir!

Also on the theme of our ‘plans being thwarted’ today, the theatre screen was broken for the movie we wanted to see! We refunded our tickets and made our way back to the hostel, chatting and snacking on popcorn.

I had a lot of time to reminisce on the whole trip today, and I just think that Salem was such a wonderful place to go. As a town it is beautiful and welcoming, as a tourist attraction it is exciting and busy, as a Halloween lover it is spooky and energizing. Yes, it’s extremely packed this time of year. No, the food isn’t amazing. Yes, it’s practically impossible to find a bathroom. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Would I come back to Boston to properly explore? 100%.

I have to be up at 1:30 AM for my ass o’clock flight, so Pauline and I hugged in the dark of our hostel room and said goodnight and goodbye (cry). We’ll be back together in some random corner of the world before we know it.

Until the next adventure.

Sav