Boston, where every step is a journey through history. Boston, steeped in the building of a nation. Boston, where a red light is a suggestion.
We loved Boston.
We spent time in the various historic cemeteries, including the Granary, site of many historic figures’ graves including Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere, as well as another Mother goose who also told children’s stories.
We saw Old North Church, the oldest standing church in Boston, and the location of the “one if by land, two if by sea” signal, of Paul Revere’s midnight ride.
We spent time in the sun in the harbour (and along with everyone else on the dock, were inadvertently part of a family spat over whether “Harold”, who was “just mean” was going to get onto the boat with his wife or not. The mystery remain unsolved as the argument moved out of earshot.)
On the harbour we were also treated to an amazing street performance of dance. It was an engaging performance by a group who referred to themselves in their patter as “Black men dancing”. They were fit, artistic professionals who put on an incredible show of dance and acrobatics.
Of course we did a harbour tour and hopped off at the Naval Base and took the opportunity visit USS Cassin Young, a destroyer which served in WW II, surviving kamikaze attacks, and USS Constitution, Old Ironsides. It is still considered an active part of the US navy and is sailed regularly to ensure that status remains valid.
And what do you do in Boston but indulge in seafood, including chowder. It was amazingly good, but my seafood chowder experience at Farris’ Oyster Bar was still superior. We ate at the Salty Dog on the harbour, and at Legal Seafood down from our hotel and had remarkable experiences. I had PEI mussels at the Salty Dog I had ordered the local mussels, but the server said that i should have the PEI mussels instead, that they were better. I found that an astonishing thing to be told in Boston. However, they were excellent and I enjoyed every bite.
The meal we had in the Legal Seafood restaurant was astonishing too. I ordered what I thought was lobster with a couple of clams and a couple of mussels. It arrived in two separate table-sized platters. The stuffed lobster was great, but I couldn’t even begin to finish what came to the table. At the end, when the server took back a nearly full platter she said that it was the biggest item on the menu.
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We walked and walked and walked and walked, and loved every step we took. But the most telling walk we took was through the Holocaust Memorial near Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. Built by 3,000 survivors, stark glass towers guide you through the monument, filled with quotes from people who experienced the Holocaust.
We took in a baseball game too. I know I mentioned it before when I was talking about people we have met, but the game itself was remarkable. There’s almost an aura around Fenway which even a non-believer such as me could feel. The Red Sox were firmly in control for two and a half innings but then things just fell apart. Oh well. What was interesting to the Philistine in the crowd (me) was how technology is used in sports. Within seconds of a pitch the type of pitch and the speed of said pitch are posted in a dozen places around the field. The ads around the field changed every 30 seconds or so. The stats for every player coming to bat were posted while he was at bat. Interesting use of technology.
We’ve lived in four cities over the years and what we have seen in every case is how committed professional sports teams are to the community The Red Sox organization is no different. The night e were there, they were wrapping u a month long fund raiser for a children’s cancer hospital/treatment centre. every imaginable ceremonial duty was performed by a survivor, patient, patient family etc. It was quite remarkable. I wish I could rememberer how much they had raised in the month It was a significant amount , and over the years of doing it, it was in the millions.
I’m sure to have forgotten something important about Boston. We tried to cram it all in in too short a time. But then could there ever be enough time? I don’t think so.
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