Patrick and I flew to Boston at the end of May, sans children, so that he could attend the HOW conference which is the biggest graphic design conference of the year. We've both always wanted to go to the conference, but it's got a hefty price tag so we've never made it until now. I considered signing up with Patrick, but four days sightseeing and relaxing by myself was just too good to pass up!We stayed right downtown in Back Bay at the Colonnade Hotel. It was really beautiful and the location was fantastic. The conference was across the street and we had a T stop (Boston's subway) right at the front door.
Our first full day there was a bit windy, but the sun was shining so I decided to walk down Newbury Street, which is famous for its expensive shops and dining. I didn't want to spend my day shopping and I had several miles to cover so I didn't go in any of the stores. What a treat, though, to be able to walk through the city with an ipod and no stroller. I walked through Boston Common, one of the oldest public parks in the country, and then started on the Freedom Trail which is a 3.5 mile walking trail through the city that hits all of the big historical sites of the revolutionary era.
There were tour guides all over the freedom trail dressed in revolutionary garb, but I had to smile when I saw this Benjamin Franklin taking a nap on a bench in the Common with a latte.
I walked and walked until I finally reached the North End, Boston's Italian district. I was hoping to grab some breakfast and the concierge at our hotel had highly recommended Modern Pastry, but apparently there had been a miscommunication about what I meant by breakfast. When I went inside I saw glass cases filled with tirimisu, carrot cake, cookies, cheesecakes, and mounds of cannoli, but not a single muffin, scone, or bagel. I walked out with what I knew would be an excellent piece of tirimisu that I planned to share with Patrick later. I walked a few more blocks to another pastry shop and was greeted with the same selection. I finally gave in and had a very delicious cannoli (which I'm pretty sure I called "caneloni" when I ordered it).
Here's a picture of the conference. I think there were a couple thousand graphic design geeks there. They had an area called the resource center, which was pretty much Patrick's mecca because it was just filled with paper samples, free sketch books, and other designer paraphernalia. Every day he would drag a few bags full of goodies back to our hotel. I'm still not sure how we managed to stuff all of it into our suitcases on the way home.
I tried to get tickets for a Red Sox game, but as you can imagine, they are sold out for the rest of the season. We decided just to take a tour of Fenway instead. The tour was interesting, and I'm glad to say that I've seen the "Green Monster" but about half-way into the tour we decided that we'd seen enough sections of seats and we skipped out on the last 45 minutes (sorry Samson).
The last day that we were there we took a tour of the Mary Baker Eddy Library and the Church of Christ Science buildings. Boston is the world headquarters of the religion (founded by Mary Baker Eddy), and I was surprised at the size of the complex. I was also saddened as I learned more about the religion. I knew that they didn't believe in modern medicine, but I didn't know the reasoning behind it. It turns out they are universalists, who basically believe that Jesus never died on the cross, but merely healed Himself from his wounds while in the tomb. I'm not sure how someone could believe that Jesus didn't die on the cross. Anyone who has done any research on 1st century crucifixion knows that no one would have lived through it. They believe that there is science behind the healings of the New Testament and that we can all have the same power if we just have enough faith. It must be so hopeless for someone who buys into their doctrine that is never healed of their sickness. Anyway, I'm rambling...
Here are some pictures of the churches (built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries), and the gorgeous reflecting pond in front of them.
I have to say, I fell in love with this city. The people were really friendly and the architecture and history are amazing! We didn't get the chance to go to Cambridge to see Harvard, and we only had enough time to drive by the original Cheers bar in the cab on the way to the airport. Both Patrick and I hope to go back some day and spend a bit more time.
