Apr 16, 2008

Being a Tourist

When I was younger, my family used to take quick vacations to Boston. Usually these consisted of my father attending some conference while my mother shuttled around my brother and me to various historical and museum-y places. I have vague memories of coming to the New England Aquarium, riding the Swan Boats, and trying to walk the Freedom Trail. I mean, literally, trying to walk along the red line painted on the street like it was a balance beam. This is what happens when you’re 10 years old and the nuances of the Revolutionary War escape you. (As a side note, I have vivid memories of my first Red Sox game. It was against the Chicago White Sox, we sat on the third base side, and the pitcher for Boston had a no-hitter going until the 6th. There are other details that are puttering around in my brain, but this post isn’t about baseball.)

Since coming to grad school, I’ve been an awful Boston tourist. I feel like I can’t be a tourist because I live here. I’m supposed to know things about Boston and not wander around getting lost. But there are still touristy things I want to do. What’s the solution to all of this? Take your friends when they come to town!

This weekend, my old roommate from college came to visit. Stefanie, my old roommate, currently lives in a small town in North Carolina, so I decided that we would do Boston the city way. This meant no driving (except to and from the airport) and no chain food (with the exception of Dunkin’ Donuts… naturally).

On Friday afternoon, Stefanie headed up to Harvard on the T to visit with some friends while I went to class. That evening, we went to Arrow Street Crepes for dinner. After much talking into the night, we woke up early on Saturday morning to head to Chinatown for dim sum. Stuffed full of dumplings we headed off to Fanueil Hall and Quincy Market. I hadn’t been there in, oh, 15 years or so. It’s really a fun part of town, with cute little shops and street performers.

We then walked over to the Aquarium because, again, I hadn’t been there since starting grad school. And they have penguins. The penguin exhibit is currently under construction, so we decided it wasn’t worth it and instead, headed to the Boston Children’s Museum. No, neither one of us has kids, but the museum has a Science Playground! I ask you, is there a better exhibit in the history of museum exhibits?

We headed back to Cambridge at that point and grabbed a very lovely dinner at Christopher’s in Porter Square. We finished off the night by going candlepin bowling in Davis Square. It’s impossible to be good at candlepin bowling, so it’s really tons of fun.

Stefanie had to leave early on Sunday, but it was great to have her here so that I had an excuse to do all the stuff I’ve been meaning to do. And we didn’t do nearly all of it. I still want to head to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, visit the Harpoon Brewing Company, and, of course, walk the Freedom Trail. I think this means that more friends need to visit.

4 Responses To This Entry:

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I like to be a tourist,too.Sometimes,when I feel it’s time to relax myself,I will take a walk in the city or take a long trip to the national park with friends.By the way,do you like dumplings?I think it’s can be a part of our nation’s culture sometimes.

Posted by: Wangqiang,王强 on April 19th, 2008 at 2:52 am

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Wangqiang, yes I agree. And Boston is a great city for walking around. I need to do more of it so that I won’t get lost anymore.

Dumplings are quite yummy. Another awesome part about Boston is the diversity in all of the food that we have. I have no idea how authentic it all is, but an American friend of mine refers to our normal dim sum place as, “That place with the yellow sign and no English whatsoever.”

Posted by: ndilello on April 20th, 2008 at 1:12 pm

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i hear ya, tho i think my visitors have seen more of Boston than I have.. ‘cept for the Freedom Trail… which I don’t plan on ever setting foot on again…

Posted by: fchen on April 22nd, 2008 at 12:41 am

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ndilello，I have seen the view of Boston by google earth.And one thing is for sure,it’s a very nice city.I hope that one day I can visit Boston .However,I must get an offer of one American university after graduate from Jilin university which I’m studing in first.Because I can’t afford the cost myself.Maybe,it’s hard for me,but I won’t give up.I hope this world can be an “earth village” one day,so we can experience more different cultures conveniently.^_^

Posted by: Wangqiang on April 23rd, 2008 at 9:22 am

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