Boston Day One

We began our journey to Boston early on Saturday morning with a 0515 wakeup call. After waiting briefly in the train depot in Park Ridge, we headed toward Penn Station to catch the 0803 Amtrak Express to Boston. I found the train ride to be surprisingly enjoyable despite sitting across from two very giggly fourteen-year-old girls. The train followed the coast, and I found it very relaxing looking out toward the harbors and the ocean. I passed my time listening to audiobooks while enjoying the scenery. Brandi read and slept. As far as I am concerned, the journey seemed to fly by.

Leaving the train station we were greeted with 25 degree, bone chilling air. As we walked toward what we thought to be our destination. In hind sight I know my mistake.... --G

Brandi's note: Garrett left off the previous draft and asked me to finish it, so....
In hindsight, the mistake was that he entered 198 West Brookline Avenue instead of 198 West Brookline Street into his Blackberry to give us directions to our B&B Clarendon Square. As a result, we wandered the city for an hour and a half with Garrett toting his backpack and my small suitcase. They had assured us it was a five minute walk from the train station, so we were both a bit suspicious about our direction. I was exhausted and must have looked about to drop because Garrett ordered me into a Starbuck's when we finally reached our "destination" and the street numbers jumped from 196 to 200 and it was decidedly not in the neighborhood of Victorian townhouses we expected. Garrett clicked away on his Blackberry in search of the proper location. We exited the building and returned for him to click away some more. I was hungry and tired, so I leaned over and interrupted two guys who were listing off the traits they desired in a man. They were very helpful and soon figured out that we meant to be in the South End. Yes. And that we were decidedly far away from it. They told us where a taxi stand was and we were at the B&B in fifteen minutes.

Once there we were shown to our lower level room that opened out to its own terrace. It was all decorated with an Asian theme.

The innkeeper showed us a map and made dining recommendations in the area. After just a short walk we arrived at The Garden of Eden and enjoyed lots of food. Due to our long walk earlier in the day, I was totally exhausted and climbed into bed for the rest of the afternoon--a precursor to the untouristy weekend we were about to have. Garrett spent a lot of time updating his music list.

That night we attempted to eat at a French restaurant called Aquataine but they were packed. However, the host called their sister restaurant Metropolis Cafe across the street and got us in. We luckily walked past a line of waiting people and were immediately seated. The food was divine.