Since Covid decided to visit us all, it has curtailed our travel time. One of the things that we love most about being retired is traveling. It has now been over two years since we have taken a serious vacation either in the U.S. or across the pond. Spring is upon us, and this is the time of year that we get the travel bug to go to Paris or London and maybe even somewhere exotic. We missed our winter trip to the beach to chase the winter blues away. There is nothing more relaxing and enjoyable than digging your toes in the sand, watching the clouds roll through a bright blue sky, taking a dip in the ocean or the pool, then sitting quietly with your bookbag as you enjoy a nice glass of wine. That, my friends, has not happened for three years now. So what are we to do?
We make other plans, nothing as exotic as St. Maarteen in the Caribbean or Paris in Europe, but still, we are very fortunate to live in New England, where we do have access to many places that can fill most of our needs, the greatest just being somewhere different. To move slowly, be waited on, and entertained by another region's sounds, sights, and foods. Nothing is more perfect for all of that than Boston. What is unique about Boston is that you can pretend you are anywhere. Italy, go to the North End, close your eyes and take in the sounds and the smells of good food and the old-timers speaking in their Italian dialect even if they have been here all their lives. The food is amazing and plentiful, and during Covid, most of the major restaurants were given the privilege to have open seating outside in the summer. In the winter, the inside is cozy with the warmth of fireplaces and the smell of spices and olive oil, fresh-baked bread, and tomato sauce. Desserts are dense and sweet. And people walk the streets all day, all night.
There are many more areas in Boston…French restaurants on Newbury St. The South End, where everyday people live, and the area is now being revitalized. Upscale shops and local diners. Then there is Southie, home of the Irish. Pubs, parties, and tenements where families still live together and gather for meals and dancing. If that is not your cup of tea…try Beacon Hill, where the rich and famous live. Elegant shops on Charles Street…I could go on and on. Every weekend can be filled with inside or outside activities. You have a blend of the old world and today’s modern society. Just spend a day walking in the parks, so gorgeous in spring. But for today, I’m going to take you to just one street where you can move at your own pace and check it out. Come with me to the Brattle bookshop on West St. near the theater district, where I love to spend a day just roaming and looking and then buying.
One of the things that makes Brattle Bookshop so much fun is that the books are both inside and outside the store. The rare and newer books are inside, and it is huge in there, and then all the bargain books are outside. It does take a day to go through them all. You never go there for a quick hit. It’s a slow, lazy day, especially if you are a book lover like me. Being outside is also fun. People pass by, some stop and chat for a minute, wondering if you found anything “good.” On a warm day, the sun shines into the lot where the books are on their movable carts. The Brattle bookshop is the oldest and largest used bookshop in America. Jim and I used to go here when we were dating back in the 60s. It was a great place to hang out, and it didn’t cost you anything to look. We almost always did find a book we wanted for our reading “in the car” days. You can read about those days here. Whoever had money on any given day paid for the books, and sometimes we shared the cost.
The outside space was cool with all the old, original red brick. It backs up at one end to the tenement buildings back fire escapes. It gives you a feel of how this neighborhood is configured. The front of the lot is right on West Street, where other shops are located. This is where you get the best deals and some great local conversations.
This black and white gives you a feel of what it might have been like in 1825 when the bookstore was first established. It has now been in the Gloss family since 1949. This outside space is great for just seeing what you see. The store claims you can get 10,000 books for 1.00 each or one book for $10,000.00. So you see why you can spend an entire day here.
When you have had enough of standing on your feet and your eyes are blurry from reading the back covers of those book, have no fear, refreshments are very close by, actually within walking distance. You can take in a nice movie at the ole Paramount theater and then stop in for a drink at the Jack Daniels store, which is right across from the book store.
While you are there, you might want to check out the Massachusetts Bar Association building. Just in case you are ever in need of advice on finding a good lawyer. West St. also has many other options, but I hope this gives you a sense of how to move around Boston into areas you might not be familiar with. It’s not crazy busy over here, and if you are lucky, you might even find a parking space.
I’m enclosing a youtube video here that you might like to check out. It is quite interesting. Just click on the link. Brattle Bookstore
I hope you enjoyed my little tour of the Brattle Bookstore. Boston has so much to offer, and people get stuck going to the downtown, touristy areas. Sometimes it’s good to get away from the tourist area and see how the real people live. West Street is an area like that, and there are so many more. Hopefully, as I travel in and out of Boston, I can share more of Boston's unique places. Maybe someday we will also branch out to Cambridge or Somerville…I am so fortunate that Boston is less than an hour’s drive for me. I hope you continue to come along with me when I go. Happy Spring. Let’s hope we have more travel and less covid this year. By the way, I think every vacation deserves a stop in a good bookstore. Don’t you?
““It’s such a great city, visually. You can’t get that kind of look in Canada that you can get in Boston: the old-brick historical buildings, the winding streets, the old but funky neighborhoods like Southie and Somerville. You can’t get that elsewhere. It’s a very unique place in that way.”
““Boston is actually the capital of the world. You didn’t know that? We breed smart-ass, quippy, funny people.” — ”
