The Eurodam docked in Gloucester, Massachusetts, early this morning and, very much to my surprise, BC wanted to join the excursion going to Boston rather than explore the setting of "The Perfect Storm". We had spent a couple of weeks in Boston a few years ago attending a great program called Senior Summer School, and he wanted to go back. Now BC is not a city guy at all...not at all; but, he did like Boston. He liked Boston a lot. But, really, who wouldn't?
One of our first stops of the day was at Copley Square in the Back Bay. This is the stylish, wealthy area of Boston and, as always, I can see myself settling here. I'm also fascinated by the Back Bay, because it's built on fill dirt hauled in from about 1857 to 1882, as part of a huge construction project to increase the livable area of this not so large city. The photo is my take on the popular attempt to capture Trinity Church as reflected by the John Hancock Tower. Apparently, the Bostonians threw a fit when it became known that the Hancock Tower would overshadow Trinity Church but, from my point of view, it adds to the whole area. Then again, I'm not from Boston and never had to walk through the neighborhood in the '70s dodging falling glass when the Hancock Tower was popping windows out all over the neighborhood.
And here's a glimpse of that beloved Trinity Church...the perfect example of "the devil is in the detail."
Well, you haven't seen Boston if you haven't toured the Olde North Church of Paul Revere fame. Technically, it's "Christ Church in the City of Boston", located in the North End, that haven of great Italian restaurants, street scenes and festivities. It just smells good there. If you're our age, or close, you will remember memorizing: "One if by land, two if by sea, and I, on the opposite shore will be, ready to ride and spread the alarm to every middlesex, village and farm." If you're my age and went to school with the nuns, you will remember the shock and embarrassment every time you had to say Middlesex. It was just as bad as: "I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed, against the earth's sweet flowing breast." Yikes! That made for a red face every time!!
Some would say that Longfellow's poem made Paul Revere more famous than he really was, and that he might have placed rhyme and rhythm above facts. But, it was simply Revere's luck to be immortalized and remain forever above the crowds. I do think he enjoys the tourists though.
BC does love Clam Chowder. Here, the choices go on and on...
Oyster Bay or Fisherman's Net? Actually, the line was the longest at Boston Chowda so, obviously, Boston Chowda it is. These Quincy Market tourists surely know their Clam Chowder.
With Chowda in hand, we fought our way through the indoor crowds, found a tiny table for two, and enjoyed.
I know...I would like to be really cool, but I'm as touristy as anyone else--just not quite as stylish (or skinny) as these two rather chic young girls who may, or may not, share a weakness for Macy's, but can style their scarves really well.
We did enjoy a nice overview of Boston during the trip. We walked through some of Harvard, spent a few minutes at Harvard Square, took a peak at the USS Constitution, paused in front of the State Capital and heard a short biography of Anne Hutchinson, drove past Cheers, and followed a bit of the Freedom Trail. Oh, the balcony? If, in my doddering old age I should move to Boston, I want a balcony just like this one.
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