I was told that an after brunch petting zoo was also on offer.  But where, I wonder?  I just can’t see an inch of the lobby that would be animal proof….

My promised in-room fridge was wheeled in shortly after my luggage was delivered.  It didn’t take me long to give it that homely Australian treatment.

Living my dream of being a Money Diary girl for Refinery 29.  Every journal writer seems to vist TJs or Dunkin’ at least once in their diarized week.  I have now done both in one day!  Go,.  Me.

Aside from the usual berries and fresh milk I buy, I also found a bag of six pre-peeled hard-boiled eggs.  I will discuss them in more detail when I finally get around to eating them.  Suffice to say I also had to get a bottle of TJ’s (organic) ketchup and some pepper but it still worked out cheaper and less stressful than having to look for breakfast each morning.

The side wall of a large complex of food outlets including Starmart, the place I shall always remember as the place I got carded at 43.

One thing I learned pretty quickly over my first few hours in Boston is that supermarkets and shopping centres seem to blend into the landscape of the CBD.  There’s none of the floor length windows, mad lighting and massive, almost pulsating flat screens that signify a Westfield from the next suburb in Boston.  Rather, there’s a discrete sign on a wall next to pretty non-descript entrances that lead to escalators that lead to the shops.  As someone who needs both retail and historical landmarks to navigate around a city, it’s made getting my bearings in Boston pretty challenging.

I’m pretty happy with my room.  Aside from my fridge, I have a stash of Le Labo toiletries scented with Rose 31 and….

a kettle!!

I walked through Eataly in search of lunch.  It’s Wholefoods after a gap year in Italy.

The massive footprint of the store is divided up into precincts that offer take away food and drink, fresh produce for purchase or fine dining in relaxed dining spaces.  It was heaving so I didn’t stay long but I intend to return later in the week to get some cannoli from the ground floor cafe.

I got a Rainbow Wrap from Trader Joe’s that not only matched my scarf, it also tasted great for something that’s meat-free and pre-made.

Oh that chocolate frosted Dunkin’ Donut was good.  I’m sure eating it with cutlery added that something something to the taste….

It stopped raining just as I scraped the last bit of frosting off the paper bag so I decided to go to the Newbury Street shopping precinct after dropping off my groceries at the hotel.

Newbury Street is the epicentre of people watching and shopping in the Back Bay neighbourhood.

It’s a tree-lined road studded with brown stoned houses and terraces that feature some pretty stunning little gardens.

 The daffodils are in honour of the recent Boston Marathon.

Pots of them with Boston Strong stickers on their wrapping can still be found with fresh blooms on steps and walls around the city.

Like all shopping districts globally, Newbury Street has its share of national and global brands in its retail mix.  It’s the way of the world whether we like it or not.

In between the Shake Shacks, Lulu Lemon, UNQLO and COS stores there are still a few independents to be found but you do have to look hard for them.

 And, wait for it…

The Halal Guys are in Boston and on Uber Eats!!!

I’m off to explore the city under the close supervision of a tour guide tomorrow.  We will be covering a lot of territory and I’m so relieved I decided to join the tour because I don’t think I’d be able to get myself to even half the places the tour will take us in the whole week that I will be here.