There's a moment of silence on Boylston Street that blows in through the window on the breeze from the Charles River. It arrives around 4AM, just after the last of the night time people has left for home in the last taxi. The traffic lights are blinking yellow and the streets are almost empty.
After a night of lively sounds, the silence wakes me up. I listen to the quiet, then the day starts to flow. First I hear the rubber thump of the early morning runners, then the homeless guy arrives and starts yelling about eggs again, and the trucks pull in with their beeping and clanking to deliver another load of fresh shellfish to the cafes across from the hotel.
Last night we ate ambrosial crab cakes and sweet oysters and drank California wines at the Atlantic Fish Co. We didn't order the Loire Valley wines because the price for a single glass was three times the price for an entire bottle in France. We laughed, and we thought about how really, really good we got at drinking that amazing local wine from the little Vival store in Monts-sur-Guesnes.
We laughed, and we thought about how cheaply we will be eating very soon, back on our patio under the shady trees, looking across the hot dusty valley up to our beloved cowboy mountains. It'll be pinto beans for us for a long time, after the big splurge of this once-in-a-lifetime vacation.
Vacations are so much fun. You plan and think about those special few days and when it's over, you save for the next time cause it was just too much fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic trip you have had, Clairz!! It will be worth having beans for dinner for a while! I loved being able to travel in Europe -- my husband was in the military and we spent a year and a half in Germany and a year and a half in Spain and was able to travel to so many places in the the three years we spend there and I loved every moment! I also love your photos!! Thanks for sharing the fun -- and the last night in Boston!! Hope you have a good weekend!!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Looks like you had a wonderful time. Glad you were able to do this and glad you will be glad to get back to New Mexico. Does this make since? Wonderful photos that make me want to visit there.
ReplyDeleteYou are so fortunate to be able to make that trip. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful description.
ReplyDeletebtw, I can't wait to see all the pics and hear all the stories of your French Adventure.
What a city. I will always remember my short visit to this city. I loved the street performers near the University district.
ReplyDeleteI think 4 a.m. is when I'd like those streets... when they are empty... before the day comes awake. Your photos capture the mood perfectly!
ReplyDeletePinto beans, LOL... you may need a Micaceous pot to cook them in!