Boston, Part 1

July 7, 2013



I arrived at Boston South Station late yesterday afternoon, hoping to be able to do what I did in NYC - avoid the taxis - but considering how I was not in any condition to think about how to get from A to B, I bit at the offer of a taxi ride.    The driver whisked me to Chelsea and to my hotel, passing over a suspension bridge which looked like a shortened version of the Bay Bridge East Section due to open at the end of this year if the bolt issue can be worked out.    Stayed at Wyndham Chelsea, a few miles away and within a 4-block walking distance to commuter rail which will whisk you to Boston North (TD Garden Station), where the commuter rail has its hub.  

I had a bit of an adventure at 4:30 the next morning, as the fire alarm went off throughout the hotel, which brought bleary-eyed hoteliers out to the parking lot and the fire trucks out from their slumber.  Patience was in low supply as it was, but at least jackets weren't really needed outside, and there was no rain - I shudder at the thought of otherwise.      A half-hour passed, until it was determined that the problem was with the fire alarm circuitry itself.   Not an auspicious way of introducing myself to this historic city.  

After the fire alarm adventure, I managed to get a few more winks before heading out to the Commuter Rail stop, heading down one stop to North Station, from where I found the orange line to take me to Boston Commons and the beginning of the Freedom Trail.  

Boston Commons, while not as large as Central Park, have walkways similar in grading and wind, but not as crowded.    The Visitor Center, at the southeastern end of the park and within a short walking distance of the subway line, begins Freedom Trail, marked by a red line either painted or marked with brick.   The Freedom Trail takes you to many of the historical sites, meeting halls, churches, and other areas which mark the city's (and our nation's) history, and the city did a good job of marking the various attractions along the trail.    Most of these attractions, though, have the tourist trappings in the form of gift shops and other things that are designed to separate you from your money, so I'd keep an eye on your budget as you traverse this Trail.   As I only had 2 1/2 days to explore (not to mention do my schoolwork in-between), it would be quite the challenge to go beyond this trail in my explorations.  

But as you'll see in future postings, I managed to do just that.    Stay tuned.