The Somerville Community Path

 The walk to Davis Square is a mile long, past rows of Victorian houses, convenience stores, and various offices. Half of the journey takes place along this trail, known as the Somerville Community Path, which I stumbled upon during the first day in the neighborhood. Our section of the path begins at Cedar Street and leads straight to the Davis Square T. Every day, the path is filled with pedestrians, cyclists and dogs alike. It is fairly well lit and seems well occupied throughout most of the evening. What a pleasant discovery it was to make! When I studied abroad in Berlin, there was nothing more enjoyable than all of the city's parks and meandering pathways. Not to mention I have just come from Mount Desert Island, where every day I lived amidst Acadia's natural splendor. Thus, the Somerville Community Path is a much appreciated addition to the daily commute! 

SoWa Vintage Market

Last year when my best friend was finishing college in Boston, she left me an enthusiastic message about the SOWA Vintage Market, which I stored somewhere deep in the back of my mind. At the time, I had no thought of moving to Boston and thus had no particular reason to remember her recommendation. That is, until just recently. So this morning, when I decided to visit the market, I knew I would enjoy what I found.  

The market is located inside of a old, brick warehouse in the South End of Boston, in the SoWa arts and media section. Every Sunday, the market opens its doors to the public and invites vintage lovers to search for antiquarian treasures. 

 I went around 10 am, just as it was opening. Vendor after vendor sold rows of vintage clothing, trinkets, and accessories. I went with the hope of finding a small kitchen table, but alas was unsuccessful. That's not to say the market didn't have its share of furnishing, which it most certainly did. I just didn't find the perfect piece I had in mind. 

But for a girl with a vintage sensibility and an appreciation for lace, oxfords, and satchels, the market was a little slice of heaven. Because I had many errands to complete today, I didn't linger and peruse as I would have liked. Something to look forward to in the future! 

Since I absolutely needed a small table for the kitchen, I drove south to the mothership: Ikea. The last time I visited Ikea was two years ago, when I was studying abroad in Berlin. Perhaps it's because I visited Ikea often as a child, but there is nothing more more comforting and exciting than a return visit. I bought something very simple but utilitarian-in time, I'll be able to retrieve my beloved gateleg table still waiting for me at my mother's in Maine. 

Perhaps it's an odd juxtaposition-

spending the morning sifting through vintage goods

 and the afternoon amidst cool, Scandinavian design, 

but it was a perfect way to spend the Sunday.  

A Found Apartment and A Russian Bazaar

After several weeks of mounting stress, a place has finally been found in Medford, about a mile away from Davis Square. Move in date is tomorrow or Saturday and what a relief.  After meeting with the broker and signing all the proper documents, we decided to visit one of Sergey's favorite places, the Russian Bazaar on Cambridge Street. Though it is advertised as a "international food store," all of the employees spoke Russian and as far as I could tell, 80% of the goods were Russian items. After finding a parking spot a few blocks away, we strode up to this colorful building with wide eyes and hungry stomachs. The sun was setting and it was nearly packed with Russian customers buying their daily (or weekly) selections. For a moment, I felt as if I had returned to St. Petersburg, a city I once visited with the same curiosity. 

Here is a selection of the items we left with:

-A generous supply of chocolate

-Dark Rye Bread

-Blinis filled with sweet cheese and meat 

-Vegetables: marinated pickles and mushrooms; Korean style carrot salad; Olivier Salad;  Venigret Salad; Eggplant caviar 

-Fish and Meat: Chopped Herring; Salmon; Shashlik 

And other things that I've forgotten as well!  

Everything was delightful. 

It was an exciting, if not unique way to begin a Boston life, by entering a tiny Russian world. 

The Bazaar is located at 424 Cambridge Street in Allston.