Just spent about 15 hours flying and airporting to spend about 35 hours celebrating in Boston. Well worth it! Compared to LA, Boston is perfect for walking. And totally screwed for driving. They sell Bumper Pads to prevent damage when bump-parking.
I’ll have a whole piece on public transit in the next couple of weeks. Let’s just say there’s lots of room for improvement in the Customer Service metric. But, sadly, there is no hope for the customers themselves. Most, if not all, are rotten travelers. Which makes their basic humanity suspect. I’ll point out some superstars.
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If you have a hot take or a cold-stone gripe, let it be known. If you're an expert in something, share that knowledge. I’d love to host anyone as a guest essayist. On any subject or topic. If I piss you off, let me know. Confrontational conflict resolution is healthy. Effective interpersonal relationships begin with breaking down barriers to openness and honesty.
But I digress. Boston is the best place to eschew the chain hotel and stay in the neighborhood. To be sure, my first stay in Beantown was at the Wharf Marriot. Pretty ok!
But the latest stay was at a historic old house called Beacon Inn, in the Commonwealth, #2. With so much going on, my photo documentation was pitifully weak this trip! So these are from Bookings.com.
But I booked directly with Inn, live voice each phone call. Early check-in if possible. Cute little lobby with a Keurig and some croissants and bagels. Private baths in each room. It was just perfect. Parking is available. Yeah, in Boston!
Little did I know that when I booked it, I wasn’t the only Leczel in the house. The Oldest had already booked a room. Serendipity, you old rascal! We had a wonderful stay.
Everywhere I walked in Boston, I saw flowers blooming. In the most formal spaces and the most surprising places. It was great for my soul.
This was a great weekend. The Youngest is leaving one chapter and entering a new and exciting one. She is well-equipped for this endeavor. I wish her Godspeed on all of her travels.
Slow down, pause a moment, and notice all the beautiful things in your life.
Ric
"If I piss you off, let me know. Confrontational conflict resolution is healthy. Effective interpersonal relationships begin with breaking down barriers to openness and honesty."
Yes, please. The world needs more of this. Not the passive-aggressive nonsense that seems to have flooded every corner of our lives. It might be confrontational, but I've always seen /constructive/ conflict as healthy. Necessary, even.
One of the reasons I've been an enthusiastic supporter since the days of Dooly's Den is that we have so little in common. I'm constantly amazed by how much I learn from you.