Boston

Last week, I went on my first work trip of the year. In the past, I’ve been known to work too much and spend too much time on my laptop. This year, I’m determined to travel differently. I’m going to be present, and give myself a chance to prioritize people and places. What better place to start, than Boston?

Boston and I have a storied past. Needless to say, it’s complicated. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the city this time around, and especially not in January. I preemptively invested in Patagonia gear - partly because I’m frivolous, and partly because it packs well. On this trip, I tried to give myself as much grace as I could. I didn’t overbook myself with meetings. I didn’t travel in the middle of the night on the first flight in and last flight out. I stayed walking distance from the site of my training. I, under NO circumstances, would rent a car and be forced to experience whatever “rotary” of hell Boston roads belonged in.

On my first day, I dropped off my bags and started with a latte (my love language). I ended up walking through the Boston Commons, and naturally gravitated towards the state house. Fun fact about me, I’m a sucker for a good state house. I didn’t take a lot of photos this trip, but I couldn’t help but grab my camera to grab a photo of the gilded dome in the first image. Something about the sun reflecting off the dome called to me, and I was in no position to decline the call.

Once I was done soaking up the sun and the state house, I walked to the Athenaeum, ready to sit down and respond to some emails. I discovered that it was closed to the public on Mondays. Channing, Boston resident and the recommend-er of the Athenaeum, described it best. “It’s hard to be elite and exclusive when the elite and exclusive are being elite and exclusive.” Poetic, really.

I recently read somewhere that happiness is not getting what you expected, but rather, having things go better than expected.

I didn’t mind missing out on the Athenaeum, because the best thing happened next. I got lost.

I can’t tell you the last time I got lost. I’m the person that relies on google maps more than my right hand. That day, I confidently walked to the wrong destination. Instead of going to the Boston Public Library, I walked to the Boston Public Market (opposite direction). Instead of being disappointed and blaming Boston for being hard to navigate (to add to our complicated narrative), I decided to be present and get even more lost. I put away my phone and google maps, and wandered around the North End. I went from side street to side street, marveling at the freedom of my feet. I had nowhere to go, no direction and no urgency guiding me. I ended up finding another coffee shop (I told you it was my brand). I responded to emails. I read the pre-reads for my training. I was able to write for the first time in a while. I was productive, because I was happy - my day had gone better than expected.

The rest of the trip followed the same theme. Things continued to go better than expected. I met with friends, colleagues, and former students. I met new people in my training, and I was inspired by their stories. I drank a lot of coffee. I learned, constantly - from my training and myself. My feet carried me with confidence. I got lost a couple more times (Boston really is hard to navigate). Don’t worry, I found my way eventually. Poetic, really.

I’m happy to have added this chapter to my Boston story. It almost makes up for all the parallel parking from the trip before.