#Greenmonster

​Now that I have made the decision to return to sunny California, it seems my entire life is revolving around the big move. The best part about this fact is that the SigO and I have been hitting some bucket list items as we enjoy my final days in New England. (Note: I am sure I will be back to visit, but not planning on living here again. Sorry my New England friends but snow and this little beach girl are like fire and ice!)

Recently we realized that I had NEVER been to Fenway Park! After living in Red Sox Nation, this was definitely something we needed to correct before I moved on. So one Friday evening, we joined some friends for a night of fun with a great view of the game!

Fenway Park, Boston, MA

Ironically, I discovered that the fabled Green Monster was merely a big green wall so despite my desire to see it, I found it sparked no desire to take a picture of it! (For those not in the know, you can see a sliver of it on the far right side of my picture.)

Unfortunately for us, the Red Sox lost the game against their arch rivals, the Yankees. However it was a fun game to watch and I was especially excited whenever Big Papi was up at bat. (For no particular reason, I just really like seeing David Ortiz. #dontjudge)

The energy in the stadium was electric too. Fans were shouting, we did the wave multiple times (who actually starts these things?), people were singing "Sweet Caroline" (so good so good!), there was a bouncing beach ball...And every few minutes random men dressed in bright yellow shirts head up and down the stairs screaming about popcorn, peanuts, water, and cotton candy for sale. ​

Note to my fellow vegan peeps: Eat before you come to the stadium as there is not much in the way of meal options for us! I heard a rumor about vegan sausages and, even though I don't eat them, went looking for them so I could report on their existence. Alas, they may exist, but I couldn't find them! Scroll down the post though for an amazing ETHIOPIAN restaurant which has delicious vegetarian/vegan options in Boston! We ate here before the game...

​If you've never been to a baseball game, I totally recommend it. (Question to my California peeps: Where should I go see a game in Southern California? Anyone have any preferences?)

For some reason, watching the game, made me feel like I was enjoying a lovely old fashioned type of entertainment...hence the film noir style picture I took below:

Fenway Park

Now, if you have the chance to see a Red Sox game, I highly advise spending a little extra time in the great city of Boston. Prior to the game, we decided to walk around the Newbury Street area which has fun shops and good eats. However we also thought it would be fun to cash in another bucket list item and try some Ethiopian food together. ​

In the interest of full disclosure, I had Ethiopian food years ago when out with some friends - including an Ethiopian student I went to school with in Los Angeles. I loved it, and have wanted to eat it again since watching a Samantha Brown video where she went to an Ethiopian restaurant in Washington D.C. 

PS - Samantha Brown, if you are reading this: a) I think you rock; and b) Don't you want to do a travel show called "Samantha 2" or "Sam and Sam rule the World" or....well perhaps the name of the show can wait...but you get the idea, right?

​We went to Lucy Ethiopian Cafe located at 334 Massachusetts Ave in Boston. What a fabulous place! Filled with bright and colorful pictures; plus a charming board teaching you how to say different words in Amharic (an Ethiopian language). The server was incredibly patient with me as I tried to thank her for her help by saying "Amesegnalehu!" (Good intentions but epic failure on pronunciation on my part.)

Lucy Ethiopian Cafe

Sharing the language

The food was phenomenal. The SigO ordered Lega Tibs (a hot beef dish with onion, green pepper, jalepeno, tomato, garlic, and rosemary in a awaze sauce) while I ordered the Addis Combo (red lentils simmered in a spicy hot sauce, split peas cooked in a garlic and ginger sauce, and spinach simmered with potatoes and simmered in spices and herbs). Both meals came with Injera - a type of bread you use to eat the meal instead of using silverware. (Trust me when I say this stuff is DELICIOUS!) To drink, the SigO ordered a "Berz Be-Berele" which is a traditional honey and sparkling water drink (fabulous). I ordered a Peanut Tea which tasted like dessert in a mug. (And shoutout to the staff for veganizing it for me by subbing out the milk for a milk alternate!)

Lega Tibs

Addis Combo

Berz Be-Berele and Peanut Tea

End result? Happy tummies, two items achieved on a (very long and constantly growing) bucket list, and a beautiful day in the city of Boston! 

Do you hang out in Boston? What are some of your favorite stops? Feel free to share! May you too enjoy this fine city...with smiles!