Back to Beantown

So Evan and I traveled up to Boston again. This time it was to drop him off at uberNerd computer camp at MIT for two whole weeks! Before check in, we went over to my hotel, dropped the bags and headed out to Northeastern University for a looksee. The campus was nice. I am just not sure it is what Evan is looking for. After our walk through, we met our niece/cousin, Emily, who studies at BU. We had lunch at a sushi place although none of us actually had sushi. It was about time for Evan to check in so we parted ways.

After maneuvering around all of the Japanese tourist buses (seriously - BUSLOADS), we arrived at Evan's dorm. Evan's camp seemed pretty cool and was very organized at check in. He got a big room for three people but he's only sharing with one other guy. The rooms are not air conditioned which might be rough, but he and his roommate both brought fans. They have a Charles River view. Plush!

As I walked back to my hotel room, I will admit I was a little sad. Well, a lot sad. Next year will be the real deal.

So I get back to my hotel and they had upgraded me to a two room suite, complete with kitchen, fireplace and jacuzzi tub. I sort of schmoozed with the receptionist at our bag drop off and she gave us some info on Northeastern (she goes there) and I guess she wanted to help sway at least my decision. I was grateful for her effort. The room was fab as was the hotel overall. It was a renovation of an old firehouse and had great artwork as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a great night's sleep and a great breakfast, I headed out to explore some of Boston as my flight was not until later that evening. I decided to go to Harvard Square and then to walk through Harvard University just to see what it was like. After maneuvering around all of the homeless people and people living on the fringe (I think they were having a convention in and around the Square), I headed over to the Christ Church Cambridge and The Old Burying Ground which dates back to 1635. It was of course locked probably because of the nearby gatherers. 

 

 

After maneuvering around all of the Japanese tourist buses (seriously - BUSLOADS), I decided that Harvard is designed to look big and I guess the word is intimidating, maybe. Everything is built on a very grand scale. I can see why people who go to Harvard want to go there.

 

 

 

 

 

Litruhlee Ivy League

Memorial Hall

Summer camp kids were eating in here as their refectory although it looked like a church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Harvard Museum of Natural History

I didn't visit but want to one day.

 

 

 

Many animals are shown in the brickwork along the upper facade of the building. Like the bricks were shaped to make the animals. Incredible if you ask me.

 

 

 

Anyway, I had a great walk through the campus and then an adjoining historic neighborhood on Garfield Street which is where I would choose to live.

Then I decided to walk part of the Freedom Trail. 

 

My chosen route started in the North End and

 

 

 

It was neat to see such an old house and it reminded me of Oliver Cromwell's house in Ely, England. 

 

The North End is inhabited by many Italian restaurants and quite a few almost lured me in, but I wanted to press on and see a few more things before I ate. I headed over to St. Stephen's Church where Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy was baptized on the same day as I was there only 122 years ago & born 122 years plus one day ago. 

 

Then I walked through Paul Revere Square and listened to a ranger's talk near the Paul Revere statue. 

 

 

It was a nice park and had a moving tribute to those who have died in Afghanistan.

 

I headed to the old North Church where

 

 

and then the Copp's Burying Ground where the gravestones were awesomely similar to those we have seen in the UK, especially Scotland.

 

After that, I was hungry and went to a pizzeria for lunch.

Whilst eating, I received a text that my flight was delayed by an hour - I later heard there was bad weather out of St. Louis. So I took my time getting back to the hotel and then to the airport.

 

The Zakim Bridge

very cool, follow this link

There were tons of people grousing about delayed flights and missed connections. I was grateful my flight was direct and that it was actually leaving albeit delayed.

Maryland was very sultry upon my return. Evan should be happy he is sleeping in Boston with no A/C near a breezy river.

7/11/11 - 7/11/12

We've been back a year.

It doesn't even feel like we left. 

Funny, that.

The convenience store just down the street (7-11) is having a birthday celebration by handing out free Slurpees. I know the real reason is to celebrate our milestone. We've already been twice.

Happy 4th of July!

We have spent the last few days (since Friday) without and then with and then without and then with power. It seems that the power is here to stay which makes me ridiculously giddy considering it is sweltering outside at the mo'. We opted out of going to the fireworks. No one was particularly motivated. Instead, I am listening to them going off all around my neighborhood and I can hear the finale of the major production at the high school as I am typing. Americans are definitely as crazy as the Brits are on Guy Fawkes Night, but at least they don't start shooting off the darn noisemakers a week or two in advance! However, in my town, people do start putting chairs out on the sidewalks at least a week and usually two weeks ahead of time to reserve their curbside spot for the annual 4th of July Parade which goes through the heart of downtown. I have pretty much always found this to be a seriously huge nuisance and have never felt the need to reserve a spot as we easily find one five minutes before the parade begins and we do not mind standing. Truly annoying, but I guess it has its charm in a perverse way. If you want to see a newscast of the phenomena, click here.

Anyway, the 4th of July in our town begins in the morning with a lot of kids' events like a lollipop hunt at the high school and a bike decorating contest and a spoon race. We used to do all of that, including the Firecracker 10K, but our entire family has aged and moved on from that. I don't miss it although it was fun when we participated. Then at 3:00 pretty much right on the dot, the parade begins.

There are bands.

 This is the Baltimore Ravens Band.

 This is the high school Steel Drum Band.

 This is a band from Canada. They are probably dying in the heat.

There are fancy cars.

There were also a variety of military vehicles but I didn't get a snap of them. Many (probably all) of them belong to my neighbor down the road and his friends. And there are all sorts of civic groups who do floats. The parade lasts at least an hour, usually longer.

People come from all over to see the parade and park anywhere they can. Our street is rarely so congested.

 Our town places flags on pretty much everyone's front yard and people decorate for the 4th

including us but I forgot to take a photo of our house and it is very dark now. Maybe I will post one tomorrow once the videos are sorted.