Downtown Crossing

When you're alone and life is making you lonely

You can always go -- downtown

When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry

Seems to help, I know -- downtown

Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city

Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty

How can you lose?



Downtown by Tony Hatch

Ninth stop: Downtown Crossing



Downtown Crossing, neon signs and all, is certainly a world onto itself, though perhaps not as idyllic as the song suggests. With the year-round lights and bells that toll on the quarter hour, Downtown Crossing has a continual night before Christmas frantic atmosphere, which might explain why many consider it the are of Boston that most resembles New York. An urban Mecca, it also harbors one of the largest commercial districts in the city. Clothes, shoes, music, books, jewelry, ties, llamas, movies; you want it, it's here. Well, maybe not the llamas, but everything else. Basically, if you're one of those people who wear sunglasses inside a mall, come here. It's an outside version of the Cambridge Galleria, and you won't look stupid for wearing SUN glasses in a place where the SUN don't shine.

I could talk about other pet peeves I have, like the boys who thought it would be just a swell idea to start a band in my dorm with loud drums and bass blasting from the room right below me--but I bet you'd rather hear about what great and unique shopping opportunities abound around here -- like Filene's Basement (426 Washington St., 617 542 2011).

When an aunt of mine first heard that I was going to school in Boston, she just said five words to me (okay, she said like 500, I'm cutting it down for dramatic effect): "Filenes's Basement on Saturday morning". The first original discount store, that stores like Marshalls and TJ MAXX are modeled after, was still a madhouse come Sunday afternoon.

With discount everything from earrings to socks to Gucci men's sandals, this place is rocking with sales. What's more, the merchandise is both affordable and quality. In the Vault, in the basement of Filenes's Basement, are designer names of the kind that you read about in celebrity magazines at over 50 percent off. A Prada tank top could be yours for only $199.99!

However, if you've come for serious shopping, as opposed to gratuitous ogling, then you must under no uncertain terms proceed to H & M (350 Washington St., 617 482 7001). A Swedish company, its styles are both trendy and typically fresh to the US scene. Moreover, H & M has clothes in virtually every color as well as sizes that give leeway at both ends of the scale. However, as inexpensive and trendy as it is, there are usually significant lines for both dressing rooms and register, so only come on a day when you can handle the crowds.

In terms of other standout stores, it really depends on what kind of store you're looking for. As for me, I have been obsessed with the idea of getting turquoise converse since October when I went to New York and saw kids hitting the streets in the normal black ones. Why turquoise you ask? Shoes the color of the sky man! And yes, I am completely sober and serious.

So, I decided to take a lil' trip down the street. First there was DSW Shoe Warehouse (385 Washington St., 617 556 0052). The store had some generic sneakers as well as various sandals, boots, and heeled shoes. Basically, it's an 'upscale' Payless, which is conveniently located a few stores down (367 Washington St., 617 451 1871). Either way, no Converse! And definitely no turquoise shoes. Sadness.

Macy's (450 Washington St., 617 357 3000) was certainly no parade, although they did have everything else a typical department store would have, like bathing suits, lingerie, suits, and sweaters. Meanwhile, Footaction (381 Washington, 617 451 0190) was basically a dilapidated Foot Locker, who's name had been cut and pasted. Finally, I'd reached what looked to be the end of the street, and was about to give up all hope when I saw the window display: Foot Paths (489 Washington St., 617 338 6008) had Converse. Bouncing with a childish glee, I entered the store. There were purple, blue, navy, black, striped, flamed, red, and white Converse. But, to my utter dismay, no turquoise.

Thus, my faith in commercial America gone, I walked with heavy feet to the local Barnes & Noble (395 Washington St., 617 426 5184), perhaps the only quiet place in the entire area. And even then, you could still here the drums that were being played outside. It's an intriguing feeling, to be surrounded by such bursting activity after being so removed on our suburban campus.

So what, you may ask, is the moral of this story? Buy shoes online? Well, yes, but there's more. The more, is just that sometimes it's nice to go out and get that big little city feel in a little big city.



So maybe I'll see you there

We can forget all our troubles, forget all our cares,

and go Downtown

Things'll be great when you're Downtown

Don't wait a minute more

Downtown

Everything's waiting for you