By: Ismael J. Castillo
Our bus veered to I-90 East towards the long stretch of Rochester-Albany route, eventually turning to the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Finally, our almost 10-hour journey (including of course several stops at rest areas along the way) took us to our first destination: Boston, state capital of Massachusetts, home of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, and the Boston Bruins. But most notably, Boston was the birthplace of Benjamin Franklin; inventor, scientist and one of the original framers of the US constitution.
Invoking history our tour guide, Ralph, who had an impeccable sense of humor, briefed us on how the Boston Massacre and the subsequent Boston Tea Party became one of the several catalysts for the American revolution of 1778.
Boston shares a great chapter of the American history and, to this day, its heritage is still evident on several landmarks of historical and architectural interests. The narrow streets and old houses enhance the quaint character of the city, reminiscent of the colonial past.
Ralph wasted no time in taking us to our first stop: Harvard University, the oldest university in the United States. The expanse of the green campus dotted with huge canopy trees such as oak, maple, elm, and other old growth trees, contrasted by old red brick buildings was so awe inspiring; the images of the men and women who once walked the grounds of this great institution and who had changed the course of the American history conjured up; Presidents John F. Kennedy, George W. Bush, and Barrack Obama top the list of prestigious alumni.
Our first photo-op was in front of the bronze statue of John Harvard, a British who we learned bequeathed half of his estate and his volumes of private library collections to the old Cambridge College. In recognition of his benevolence and in his honor, Cambridge College was renamed Harvard University.
Our city tour included the City Hall, Boston Common, Beacon Hill residential area, and another Ivy League, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Capping up the day’s events, we visited Faneuil Hall’s famous Quincy Market where we enjoyed food galore, particularly delectable seafood of which Boston is famous for (steamed lobster, corn on the cob, and the famous Boston clam chowder were everyone’s ready favorites…mmm bon appétit).
We stayed overnight at the Crown Plaza Hotel, a landmark hotel conveniently located a short distance outside of the city proper.
[Intro] [Day 1 - Boston] [Day 2 - New York]
