On arrival in Boston, our immediate impressions were of efficiency in processing us through security for "aliens" – which we had heard horror stories about – and in the taxi queue where the woman supervising the taxis chased away a driver who didn’t have a valid licence to operate as a taxi for the airport. Having been reassured by these small issues, we were subjected to a moderately terrifying taxi ride to our hotel – almost all of it underground as part of Boston’s ‘big dig’.
When we got to our hotel room, we were treated to a magnificent view of the Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge at sunset. The bridge would feature in many of the photos that were taken in subsequent days. (Note to self – make space in my case for a tripod on future trips like this! Hand held at slow speeds is a bit tricky!)
Over the first couple of days our real first impressions were that the people were very polite and helpful (although the accent was a bit difficult to tune in to); the streets were incredibly clean – no litter at all, anywhere; we felt safe within the city (as long as we were sensible about where we went); and there was a sense of pride shown by people. Pride in their country (lots of flags flying); pride in their city; and pride in their sports team. I found this to be a positive attitude rather than any sort of jingoism.
There is definitely a lot that we in Scotland could learn from the citizens of Boston – at least in these areas.
When we got to our hotel room, we were treated to a magnificent view of the Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge at sunset. The bridge would feature in many of the photos that were taken in subsequent days. (Note to self – make space in my case for a tripod on future trips like this! Hand held at slow speeds is a bit tricky!)
Over the first couple of days our real first impressions were that the people were very polite and helpful (although the accent was a bit difficult to tune in to); the streets were incredibly clean – no litter at all, anywhere; we felt safe within the city (as long as we were sensible about where we went); and there was a sense of pride shown by people. Pride in their country (lots of flags flying); pride in their city; and pride in their sports team. I found this to be a positive attitude rather than any sort of jingoism.
There is definitely a lot that we in Scotland could learn from the citizens of Boston – at least in these areas.
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6 comments:
ER - i was in boston several months ago for the first time and loved it. You must go to the Samuel Adams brewery for a tour. You will totally enjoy that. Assuming you like Ale. ~npp
NPP,
yum, Sam Adams is a fav in ma hoose.
ER,
I wondered where you'd gotten to! :)
Glad to see you had a good time! (and is there a congratulations on another year?!) :)
We lived in Cambridge (near Boston) when I was a wee thing. I wish I could remember more of Boston; I only remember the thin rowing boats on the river, and lots of snow.
NPP
Didn't manage to tour the brewery, but did sample some Sam Adams - very good. I also enjoyed some Ipswich dark ale, which was most pleasurable.
HGF
Spotted some of those rowing boats (photos may follow!), but no snow - in fact we had a whole week of unbroken sunshine and blue skies, almost too warm for us "aliens".
Your right about the impending anniversary, but I'll probably comment on that at the time. Hope the recovery is coming along well.
i posted this not knowning you had already returned. Being from Texas, it was really interesting to see that part of the country. I hope to make it to your part of the world someday as well. ~npp
Well npp if you do make it over here we can probably recommend a brewery or two - or even better a distillery or two!
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