The Boston Coffee Gathering.

I’ve been looking forward to visiting Boston for some time. I can’t really tell you why, mostly because I don’t really know myself!
I think a few weeks in New York is enough time, both for things to do and for my wallet. Sad to leave though, it is a fantastic city...

Farewell.

Boston Common


Probably one of the most uninviting names for a central attraction of a city. The common is located pretty much central of downtown Boston but unlike another park in the center of a city I know of, doesn't manage to give the same detached feeling but instead seems more like a large playground with a few statues and monuments dotted around for tourists pleasure.
It does however serve as the starting point of Boston's main tourist feature...the Freedom Trail.

Walking the 'Trail..
In essence, the Freedom Trail is a red line marked out on the pavements of downtown Boston that serves to direct you to the points of interest in Boston relating to the beginnings of the American Revolution. A great idea I thought, means you can't get lost. I still did.

Among the points of interest:

The Old Meeting House - where the Boston Tea Party was proposed.

The Old State House - site of the Boston Massacre which incidentally, with 3 people killed, I'm not sure deserves the name - "You call that a massacre, THIS is a massacre...!"

I forget the significance of this! It was built to commemorate something. After climbing the 294 steps inside (I didn't count - there was a sign giving a health warning - sod the sign, put a lift in I say), it gave great views of Boston...

Cheers!
For those who don't know, the TV show 'Cheers' was based on a bar located in Boston. The picture below will be familiar from the opening sequence (without the people!)
Of course we had to go in for a beer. Overpriced but refreshing! Seems like the place has turned into another franchise outlet selling Cheers memorabilia and other tat.

On the theme of beer, at a different pub I had a beer called 'Sergeant Peppers Lonely Ale". It is a 'peppered' beer which aroused my curiosity. Pour 100g of pepper into a pint of ale and you'll share my experience!

Friends
We were able to meet up with a few friends whilst in Boston which was great fun.


Catching a gig (Bishop Allen) in the venue 'Middle East'. They were really good but we had to leave early to catch the last bus back to the hostel - pain.





Results of drinking games with Sylvia, Tara and friends.



The Hostel Experience.

Rooms - cramped apart from the bathroom which was of hotel standard. Nice being able to sh*t in luxury I suppose!Location - one bus ride and one metro ride (up to an hour) trip to downtown Boston. Not Ideal. I decided to walk into downtown one day, took me 3 hours.
Guests - very few.
Overall, not a great hostel pick but the only one of affordable price. Maybe next time I'll try selling some tea to pay for a nicer place?

A Further Slice of Boston

Aboard the USS Cassin Young, US Naval Destroyer.

Fenway Park - Oldest (and probably most famous) baseball park in America. Home of the Boston Red Sox.

Public Transport (The 'T')- worst experienced yet. Got stranded one night after we made a slight (drunken) mistake by waiting on the wrong side of the track. We missed the last tube (it was only 00:30) and had to fork out $50 for a taxi. See, drinking is expensive!

The hostel had a piano outside. Needless to say it sounded terrible. Improved Richards playing though.

A final slice of Americana...
Lovely.

Stuck in the middle.

As I'm sat writing this, I have a headache due to last nights beer drinking and Mythbusters on in the background, so forgive me in advance for mistakes in my speeling, grammer' and humour.

DC

A short trip to the Nations capital saw more museum visits than one can shake a museum stick at.
Among my favourites were the Holocaust Museum (for those who argue it never happened, I suggest places for you to stick said museum stick) and the childish and nerdy Air and Space Museum.

The Lincoln Memorial, White House and Capitol Hill were all still there serving their main purposes as tourist attractions.

DC is probably the cleanest city I have ever seen and for this reason, it lacks character and soul. I'd like to think if I ever returned, it would be for my presidential inauguration. You'd all be invited of course!

I'd like to take this opportunity (see, practicing my speech skills already!) to thank Jen for letting us stay at her home, which incidentally, is an amazing place (remote control fire place...yes please!)

A selection from the museums...

Coney Island, NY
We returned to New York for a few days as we still had a few things we'd like to do. Among a few of mine was a visit to Coney Island and Brighton Beach.How can this place possibly exist in NY city!? (Jo and Roisin: See what you missed!)
And how could I forget Nathans, home of the world famous hotdog eating competition. WHAT?!


BIG
Ofcourse, I don't feel any trip to NY is complete without a visit to FAO Schwartz which houses the infmaous 'floor piano' featured from the film 'Big'. Although we did learn it was not the atcual piano as this was bought by a someone for their 'private collection'. This piano has however, seen the feet of John Travolta, J-Lo, Tom Cruise and other people who aren't Tom Hanks.
Yes I played chopsticks, yes we kicked of some little kids to get our turn and yes, it is normal that you secretly want a go!

On the next episode....
We see the start of where it all went 'wrong' for America. Boston, the home of the American Revolution and yet further disgusting tea.

Stay Tuned.