Alan Ilagan

Back in the sunlight, we walked along the wharf, passing the throngs of people waiting to board their boats for whale watches, or to take the fast ferry to Provincetown.

I think this is where a quick scene in The Departed was filmed. Personally, I was more interested in the seagulls, and finding a serviceable place for fish and chips, which we found just around the corner.

Following lunch, we passed this carousel. You gotta love a merry-go-round ploppped right in the middle of the city, bold colors against a brilliant blue sky.

Another bright spot on this sunny day was the fire-engine-red of this well, fire engine.

Andy headed back to the condo for a pre-dinner siesta, while I turned toward Downtown Crossing to get a little retail therapy. But first we walked past City Hall.

It may not be all that much to look at, but they issued a very important certificate to us a few months ago, so here’s to all the good work that goes on there.

Around the corner, the past and the present collide, as modern skyscrapers frame historical buildings.

And one of Boston’s most notorious sights, the parking ticket. (I’ve only seen one or two of these on my own vehicle, which is pretty good for coming here for over fifteen years).

I soon found myself in greater danger, however, as the end-of-summer sales were in full swing, and my plan to save some money was put in serious jeopardy. A pair of Mark Nason boots was marked drastically down to $120, with an additional 50% off. That is insane, and normally I would buy them just for the principle of the savings, but I refused. (Only one in about fifty of Mr. Nason’s styles really appeals to me, and this was not one of them, so the refusal was less about will-power than simple preference.)

It was more difficult to say no to the Tallia items on sale at Macy’s. Jackets and suits were an additional 65% percent off the end-of-the-season sale prices, and I had my eye on a linen jacket that would have been a nice, albeit unnecessary, addition to the wardrobe. Still, I stayed strong, making my way through Downtown Xing relatively unscathed.

Back closer to home, the shops at the Prudential Center were my final hurdle, but after being so good earlier, I rewarded myself with one bottle of cologne, the new Artisan fragrance from John Varvatos.

In all the years of passing through the Pru (it has provided a sheltered walkway on many a rainy/snowy day), I never got around to checking out the gardens in the middle of the courtyards. Today I paused and walked outside, where no one else was bothering to look either.

In the shade of the buildings on all sides, dark-loving plants grew happily, including this anemone. Ferns and hosta offered a cool, green backdrop, and there was even an expanse of emerald lawn.

Hidden gems of not-so-secret gardens like this are what makes exploring Boston so fun. Sometimes they’re right in front of you – all it takes is a moment to stop what you’re doing and look around. Anyone who thinks you can’t find peace and quiet in a city just isn’t trying.

Taking the back way home, I pass this pungently-scented tree on Follen. I’m not sure what it is, but the pink plumes caught my eye in the afternoon sun. There is time for a shower before dinner, and after cologne-shopping a shower is a welcome necessity.

Next: Dinner at Rocca.