After a second poor night's sleep, I dragged myself out of bed. I was so tired I could easily have gone back to bed, hunger won out, and Bob and I took the subway to Government Center and walked to the Marriot Long Wharf, through the large knick-knack market area and restaurant development, Faneuil Hall, noting, along the way, that Boston does indeed have grey concrete monstrosities to rival London's.

I take back what I said yesterday about Boston not having grey concrete monstrosities

Isn't it funny how Bob is out of focus on this shot?

After I'd eaten breakfast (Bob had gone out for breakfast at dawn!), we took the subway over to the MFA (Museum of Fine Arts), Boston's enormously endowed main art museum (you know what I mean!) We were intending to see the John Singer Sargeant exhibit there, but as it was sold out until 3.30, and that would be after Bob departed, I bought a ticket for myself for later, and ... well ... we went for lunch - Bob was hungry this time - our schedules were totally out of synch. It's amazing how little time it takes me to adopt new habits, as I went to Marcellos for the third day runing.

I've noticed over the last few days how friendly Boston people are, totally unlike the snooty stereotype. I guess a large part of it comes from the mix of students and blue-collar workers that overwhelmingly predominate the old money types. That mix also probably explains the many great looking men in Boston.

After Bob had left for the airport, I drove over to the MFA again, in my trusty Chevy Lumina. As in New York, locals drive here along the congested avenues in what you might call an impressionistic style. A gentle, innocuous movement of the streering wheel and suddenly you're in someone else's lane. I lucked out in this city of rare parkings spots by finding a place to park right across the street from the museum. The exhibition was gorgeous, but by the time I'd finished, and was outside again in the heat and humidity, I felt completely exhausted.

Culture overdose

After recouperating for a while back at my hotel, I headed over to the Club Cafe, to meet Tom, a fascinating guy I've met through my web site, who lives just outside Boston. On the way over there, I took a photo of a Boston landmark - the Hancock Tower.

The Hancock Tower

Tom and I talked for quite a while over coffee and a bite to eat. He has had such a diverse range of experiences in his lifetime. But I'll leave him to tell his story for himself - I hope to get him to write something for the guest column page.

Talking with Tom

I decided to call it a day after this, so I grabbed a salad, and headed home and wrote this journal entry. And now I'm off to bed. Tomorrow morning, I'll be checking out and heading to Marblehead.