It's true, JFK did live in the same building as Capitol Coffee House.

Counter man working

So there we were sitting enjoying our nice tasty simple breakfast when the busy man behind the counter started making small talk. Though I kind of wished he hadn't waited until I had a mouth full of food before he started asking questions, I did enjoy the conversation. It's hard for me to concentrate on eating and thinking at the same time. I love talking to strangers while traveling so I forced myself to try & do both.
Then my husband said the unforgivable. There we were in the city of Boston completely vulnerable, surrounded mostly by men who most likely felt the same way as the counter man. As if baiting the counterman, my husband said to him "You guys haven't had good sports teams." Hearing that said, pleasant counter man stopped dead in his tracks & gave hubby a penetrating glare. "What?, we've always had good teams! the Celtics had some bad years, but they're doing good now." Making matters worse my husband said, "yeah, finally." I could see the thoughts racing through counter mans head as if he was plotting something in his mind. Now realize, up until this comment was made everything about counter man was genial & friendly. He was smiling, his shoulders were relaxed, he kept coming over to chat in between his busyness. Once this comment was made I can tell you that if counter man had any hairs on the back of his neck all of them were standing straight up. Now hubby had two people staring at him in disbelief, not that he noticed.

Knowing very little about sports I do know Boston is crazy over theirs so why would anyone say such a thing to a Bostonian?, in their own town no less! In a slight panic I quickly glanced around the room relieved to see everyone absorbed in their own conversations. Thankfully my husband does speak quietly. Knowing that changing the subject almost always works I tried to do so but to no avail. Counter man wasn't letting go, he was standing firm, staring. Finally he tensely asked, "what do you mean by that- yeah finally?" Hubby laughed with amusement working his charm as always acknowledging how yes, they are doing much better now. I could tell had counter man not been drawn away at that particular instant by having to make toast I am not sure what might have ensued but it probably would not have been good.

When I asked hubby what he could possibly be thinking by making that comment he said, that's the difference between NY & Boston, NY only loves their teams when they do something good then they will cheer you on, while Boston loves their teams no matter what.

Suffice to say counter man did speak with us again before we left. My husband has a knack for getting someones goat and then making them laugh- though it was plain to see counterman remained a little leary.

When counterman saw me taking pictures he smiled then looked at me and very proudly said, "Just in case you want to know, President Kennedy lived here in this very building before he became President, you know, just in case."

At the risk of sounding corny- I have to tell you, I love Boston.

Boston Marathon

After Stephanie's we walked outside the surrounding neighborhood & stumbled upon the finish line for the Boston Marathon. I had no idea it had just taken place the weekend before our visit. I also didn't know it was the world's oldest annual marathon.
I had to take a picture of it of course! Pretty cool huh?

Stephanie's on Newbury Street

So Boston was everything I never expected. It's a small city with beautiful old architecture that seems wonderfully maintained. It was enough for us to walk everywhere around the Boston Park Plaza Hotel where we stayed.

The first day after checking in we ventured out for lunch & wound up at Stephanie's on Newbury Street. I know this sounds crazy, but I picked this place for lunch because I have an adorable niece with curly blond hair named Stephanie & I thought it just had to be good with a name like that and it was. My handsome better half had the soft shelled crab sandwich. I wanted to try it but had to close my eyes in order to do so. It's probably just me but I just think it's too freaky eating a batter dipped mini crab on a bun. You could actually see the complete shape of the crab. It looked as if they plucked it out of the water, dipped it in batter and I imagined- threw it into the deep fryer while it was still moving. It did taste good though-as long as I kept my eyes closed- that is!

I very much enjoyed the Pecan crusted warm goat cheese salad-delicioso.

I snapped this photo thinking of my niece. I love the initial S. It also happens to be one of my own initials as well.

Boston is a beautiful city

WOW! We had a great time. Last Wednesday we dropped our young teenager off at his school so he could travel with his classmates for an educational trip to Boston. And for the first time in 14 years my husband & I traveled alone to another city other than our own(Boston) and stayed two entire nights by ourselves in a beautiful hotel inside the city.

It's good to know that after all this time we still enjoy each others company. I mean, I knew that before we left of course...then again- until you are completely alone without any other distractions or escape routes, how do you really know? After all the parenting decisions, job issues, household responsibilities, family concerns, the daily clutter of everyday life, how do you know you are still there for each other the way you were in the first place?

I think we know because we are here everyday together. Waking up for breakfast, getting ready for our day, attending to what we are committed too. So it is so good to take a break from all that-just to be.

I am already planning our next trip...