trouvaille

the hotel

(that's Wren in the photo!!)

- wren -

She just gets more and more beautiful as we walk. The slow way she speaks, like every word she says holds importance, and maybe they do. The light Irish accent that seems to come and go. The way the soft green in her hazel eyes sparkles, like stars on chestnut wood. She walks slowly, as if taking in the entire world, as if whatever needs her can wait for her to get there. I have to slow my pace to match hers, but I don't mind. Not if I can walk with her.

I recognize the hotel from the pictures on the travel website. The hotel looks old, but not in a cheap or dirty way. It looks nice, elegant. It towers over me and I can't help the sense of dread that makes my stomach sink. I really don't want to leave the enchanting lady beside me, but I know it's time for us to part. Maybe I could- no, I have to go. My backpack is heavy, and I'd really like to set it down and just explore, seeing the city for what it is. Getting to know Boston from the inside out. Discover all of the inner working of such a historic city.

Which unfortunately means leaving her.

"Well, I guess this is my cue to leave. I'm Wren by the way." I smile, handing her a business card with my number, name, and website.

A light blush paints her cheeks and she looks down shyly. "My name is Saoirse."

"It was nice to meet you Saoirse, thanks for all the help! You should text me sometime. I hope to see you again soon, hopefully it's not because I'm lost again."

She laughs and the sound is light and airy. Her shoulders shake and her nose scrunches as a blinding smile appears on her face. I can't help but smile and laugh with her, her happiness infectious in all the best ways.

"It was nice to meet you too, Wren! Boston's a big city, but maybe we'll meet again." She waves with a smile as she walks away, her gliding walk making the sidewalk look as if it were made of ice.

Gods, I hope she texts me. I'd love to make a friend in this unfamiliar city. I may not stay for longer than a few weeks, but I'd still like to keep in touch if possible. Making friends in new places is always fun, and can be extremely helpful. Plus, having a guide (especially a cute one) would be pretty useful right now. This maze of a city won't be easy to navigate, so having a local  help me through this would be nice.

I walk into the hotel, quickly making my way to my room, ready to relieve my aching back and sore feet, even if only for an hour or so. I make it to the room with ease. It's pretty, and it's clean. About all you can ask for in big city hotels. I set my stuff down, and settle in, which has become easier after years of traveling. At first moving around was exhausting and could feel lonely, but now I can settle fairly quickly and know how to enjoy my time in enchanting cities like Boston. I'm grateful that I'll be here for a few weeks, before moving on to Yosemite National Park to do another special on the ancient trees there.

I  get comfortable and find myself thinking about tomorrow. I really hope I do well in helping with Ben's class. When he asked me to come by and teach a class on photojournalism, I couldn't say no. While this definitely isn't my first foray into teaching, it's the first time I've helped such a close friend and I really can't afford to screw it up.

I don't want to embarrass him. Apparently, it took some cashed-in favors for me to even be allowed in the building to teach, so making a fool of myself definitely isn't on my to do list. His students have no idea I'm coming, which could be a good thing, or it could be disastrous. I've worked on a good number of projects, and have received positive feedback each time, so hopefully students will be excited to learn. However, I'm not exactly famous, so I doubt they'll be thrilled to have to sit through someone their age teaching them.

I sigh. There is really no use worrying about it any further. What happens, happens, all I can do is be prepared. I'll just go over my notes for tomorrow, and then head out to hopefully find a good lunch place.