Boston- the Brief Virtual Tour

Boston is actually pretty intriguing- especially if someone else will drive.  Todd and I set out for two days of the best Boston has to offer.  Ashley stayed home with a sick baby- which is in itself an act of extreme hospitality.  For Ashley, and anyone else who hasn't seen it yet, here is the extremely abbreviated Best of Boston tour. Namely: what I considered amusing enough to bother typing.

First:  Accomplish a feat of extreme parking.  Ours involved two phones, a GPS, a bridge, and a lot of running.  Another, saner choice is public transit, which inexplicably requires a "charlie ticket."  Charlie must be a frugal guy, because he can also get you discounts in cool places around the city.

Next:  Head to Boston Common.  It's the oldest public park in America, and the only area of Boston that looks kind of like it did during the revolutionary war.  The kids with air horns and the churro vendors really helped set the mood.

Why not: Jump on a tour.  We picked the costumed tour guide version, which had its amusing moments.  When I wondered what demographic makes up the most tour guides, Todd guessed 'History majors in one of the three jobs available in their field' or '35 and unemployed.' 35 and unemployed is my specialty!  I must attract them because Todd was right on both counts.

Our tour guide was useful for a few things.  He clarified why people put pennies on Paul Revere's grave (he was a metal smith) and on the other gravestones (monkey see, monkey do).

I had heard before that Paul Revere didn't really deliver the message to Concord about the British coming by sea (he was captured and let go in Lexington), but I always wondered why he got the credit in the infamous poem.  The answer:  Longfellow was courting one of Revere's granddaughters and was trying to impress the family!

This large seal marking the site of the Boston Massacre is deceiving. First, it is situated on a sidewalk.  The real site would have been in the middle of the intersection, which would not be very convenient for a photo op.  Second, everybody knows that a couple of soldiers firing into a mob in self defense and killing 5 people is not really a massacre, but it makes the story more exciting.

Similarly, the Boston Tea Party location marker is also on a streetcorner.  Wait, wouldn't it be near the water?  Well, it would, but massive landfill projects in the 1800s leveled two of the three notable hills, and reclaimed that section of the harbor.

Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, a red stripe on the sidewalk leading past many of the historical buildings.  This picture is for Gma Nebeker, who remembers her own trip to Boston almost two generations ago.  We saw Faneuil Hall and Old South Church, used as gathering places by the rebellious colonials, streets of pubs, and the justice building.  But this was one of my favorites:

The Omni Parker hotel, where Malcom X was once  bus boy and
Ho Chi Minh was once a pastry chef.  More importantly, it was here that Parker House Rolls and Boston Creme Pie were invented!

Fortunately, Todd is going into sports management.
He's a bit tall for a career as an 18th century  sailor.

Next:  Visit Old Ironsides, (the USS Constitution) the oldest commissioned ship in the Navy.  It was the first ship made specifically for the American navy, authorized by Congress and President George Washington in 1794.  She has a stellar record, with 24 captures without being boarded or taken.  Because she is still considered active duty, she is staffed by Navy sailors.  Hee hee- I'm imagining Old Ironsides as the flagship of Fleet week, and the historians and tour guides showing up in a navy bar....
Do not miss:  Cannoli in Little Italy- where you will still hear Italian on the streets and the food is authentically delicious.  We ate in a formal restaurant where the rather formidable looking proprietor was our server.  When he stiffly said "Have a happy Easter," it sounded like it might be followed by "or I'll have Vinny break your legs."  Yes, sir. I will be sure to, sir.

Before heading to the airport the next day, we made a trip to the Boston Temple, which is very beautiful inside.  I loved the intriguing multi-layer windows and the peaceful spirit.

Last: We headed to Plymouth, the original town site of the Puritans.   I had to put this in because it is so ridiculous. What could be less Puritan than this pseudo-Greek temple monument surrounding- wait for it- a rock.  The rock is stamped 1620.  Otherwise, there is nothing to distinguish it from any other coastal boulder.  I'm sure that's exactly what the Puritans would have wanted to mark their disembarkation in a land where they practiced austerity and a strict Christian faith!

We also stopped by the Mayflower II, a recreation of the Pilgrim's vessel.  It's bigger than I thought, but still not a place I would want to spend 66 days.  But I now understand the allure of coming to Massachusetts.  And since I can travel there in about 6 hours, it is certainly worth the trip.  Thanks, Todd and Ashley!