After a perfect day at the beach with cherished friends, I headed towards Boston...or more specifically Jamaica Plain (the locals call it JP), to meet up with a fellow Couchsurfer named Lesli.
Lesli sounded really cool on her profile.
She's a pastry chef who is into antiques, and knows Boston well.
She sounded way cool on the phone, and seemed really laid back in my "fly by the seatness".
I arrived late-ish....9:45pm, or so....and she was welcoming and kind to me even though I got there so late. She was nice enough to drive me around the city, and on this drive I would take a photo that would later become a birthday gift: A night shot of the Boston skyline from Cambridge.
Her house was comfortable and full of deliciously selected antiques. The room I stayed in reminded me of my room when I was little. It had a gorgeous white wrought iron bed and was doused in high end bedding. The breeze came through my window as I slept like a baby....
Driving in, I noticed a mythic looking cemetery....which was ultimately a highlight in my Jamaica Plain exploration.
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Sugarplums danced in Lesli's beautiful and silent house, only to wake up to the richest, most delicious cup of French press coffee, and a homemade pumpkin muffin....covered in pumpkin seeds. THANK YOU, LESLI!!!
Lesli told me I would really enjoy the cemetery. She mentioned how peaceful it was to walk around.... It looked so spooky when I was driving in at night, but I was totally up for it after my recent brushes with the paranormal, and my desire to see at least part of the area on foot.
The walk was all goodness.
Flowers, flowers, flowers. 75 degrees. An unforgivably perfect day.
My walk through Forest Hills Cemetery was one of the most surreal, and pleasantly sobering walks I have ever taken. It was truly astounding how long these tombstones had been there....
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Lesli was nice enough to let me park my vehicle at her place the next night while I would stay in the virtually free ($60. a night + points) hotel room I had acquired with Starwood points.
The Sheraton on Dalton St. was very clean, well preserved, and couldn't have been in a better location.
My friends were staying at The Colonnade across the street...and we were RIGHT next to a great little Dive bar- Bukowski Tavern, and if "beer only" isn't your thing: a sparkly bowling alley (blacklight/underground/full bar)...Kings Bowling Billiards and Lounge is RIGHT next to Bukowski..... Not to mention the best deal on parking I've seen (Thanks, Tam). ($15. if you move it in the morning, $30. Max.)
Tam and I joined my friends from Austin at the wrong JJ Foley's (in the South End) .....first.....then, took another cab to the right one in downtown crossing. The gang was there celebrating my friend's 40th birthday, and his brand new engagement. Cocktails were had, laughs were laughed....and after a T fake-out (it wasn't running after almost everyone paid)...we hopped in a cab with someone who knew the same people as my Bostonian Birthday friend. A late night dip in the Sheraton pool ensued, followed by a photo session at The Christian Science Center: an undeniably handsome spot for snapping late night photos.
The next day, Tam and I headed to Provincetown, MA....at the tippy tippy tip of Mass.
The drive through Truro was cool and worth the trouble. I saw my first real historic lighthouse, and it was definitely awesome. As in: awe inspiring.
The disappearing cliffs of Truro are upsetting and lovely.... When I stared at the cliffs, I wondered if the sea would eventually consume the lighthouse......
Provincetown, MA was the Madonna-loving, shopping, culinary, artsy gay area I had hoped for..... Tam and I had delectable seafood items and a couple of margaritas by the sea. It was pretty much perfect, thanks to Monica at The Surf Club. (They have terrible reviews on Tripadvisor, but...go on a Monday, silly---and ask for Monica!) Fried clams and Lobster Quesadillas are both excellent choices.
The drive back, Tam drove the whole way (thanks again, Tam)....and I was lulled to sleep by the road---but we made it to my car and I spent one more night in the nice hotel, following a free line of bowling thanks to Kenny. Kenny, wherever you are---thanks for letting the 4 of us join you gratis..... I will dream of rolling balls and pounded pins before I get up and schlep it to Portland, Maine.
Pictures coming soon.......
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