There is a place in Baltimore, Maryland that
still retains the forgotten charm of years gone by. Deep in the heart of old
downtown Baltimore you can find this spot, amidst the
twists and turns of one way streets and around the clamor of the throbbing
heart of the city. Aunt Rebecca's Bed and Breakfast is
about as authentic a place as you're likely to come across; the innkeepers, Joe
and Becky, are terrific, the space is open and sprawling, the furniture and accouterments
are classy and classic; from the antique and peeling claw foot tubs to the epic
doors which lead into each room, there is never any doubt that you have taken a
step back while never losing your grounding in the present day. At Aunt
Rebecca's there is Wi-Fi, there is cable, and there are facial scrubs for
women's makeup. Aunt Rebecca's also plays host to warm conversations, classic
furnishings, twisting stairwells, and the radiating effervescent charms that
are missing from corporate commercial everywhere America.
Many people don't understand the diligence
required for winding cuckoo clock so that it works properly. However innkeeper
Joe will gladly detail his regimen for keeping his cuckoo clock in staunch
working order. While in the first floor common areas, this was a twice-hourly charm
that always kept you aware that you were either right on time or one half hour
late!
The sleeping arrangements when we were at Aunt
Rebecca's required my wife and me to take up separate beds. We have shared twin-sized
mattresses in the past but this was years ago; before she had tired of my
irregular nighttime breathing and before I had stopped embracing her nighttime
jimmy-legs. However both of our beds were comfortable and besides some sleep
talk of my dear wife, all had a pleasant and restful night. We were on the
third floor due to some repairs being done on the second floor bedroom. The Wi-Fi
was not as strong as one who's constantly connected to the Internet might have
liked on the third floor but I always could have descended two flights for free
and easy surfing.
Because we were on the third floor, our private
bath was actually out in the hallway. This was no problem because the other
couple that was there with us, two very nice, husband and wife teachers, had
their own in room bath attached to the bedroom. The bath itself was fairly
grand in scope and had the afore-mentioned claw-foot tub, which rocked a little
when you stepped inside of it. I felt like a showering surfer! However, once I
got my bearings about me, all was well.
Breakfast was served on the main floors
grand and sweeping dining room. This dining room and the attached front room
had all manner of kitsch along the walls and appeared to be from the life's
collection of our cheerful innkeepers. The theme this month was Easter. The
dining area housed a beautiful chandelier and sat six. It appeared as though
there might have been the possibility of an added middle to this dining table
which could have extended it in the event there were more guests, but on this
morning it was just the four of us and innkeeper Joe.
We were served piping hot coffee and juice and
doting innkeeper Joe was constantly asking if any of us needed a topper.
Breakfast consisted of a starter grapefruit. I'd watched my dad eating
grapefruit growing up but had never taken to it. However this grapefruit tasted
fresh and strangely inviting despite my unfamiliarity with it. Then it was on
to stuffed French toast and Canadian bacon; true simplicity but decadently
sweet to a fault.
The conversation and company was what really
stayed with me after this morning and what I'll most remember about my
experience at Aunt Rebecca's Bed and Breakfast. This appears to be the norm at
Aunt Rebecca's so if you're looking for a spot to hunker down in the center of
Baltimore proper, look up Becky and Joe at Aunt Rebecca's Bed and Breakfast and you'll be on your way to
special memories all your own!
No comments:
Post a Comment