BOSTON

Aug 2011



We spent this past week in Boston, Massachusetts.  In the six days that we inhabited a space in the Colonnade hotel’s 9^th floor we did a number of things, but not nearly as much as was available.  The New York Yankees were in town for a series which is always a big deal in Boston and this weekend the Red Sox came out on top so that made it an even bigger deal.  We did not avail ourselves of that particular Boston attraction.  We did however witness the jubilation of fans in the street and hallway adjacent to our room in the wee hours of the morning.  It wasn’t a distraction only an observation.

USS Constitution & Bunker Hill monument; rel

Boston was the venue for my professional association’s annual meeting this year and I chose this meeting for the particular reason that it was in Boston.  We’ve been to Boston before and taken in many of the sights including all the places along the Freedom Trail and always find ourselves passing a few hours at the Quincy Market.  This trip was different.  It rained all week; not all day everyday but on the day I chose to skip the meeting activities and partake of the Boston Trolley tour it did rain throughout the tour including the included harbor tour boat ride.  Even so, the running patter from the Trolley drivers was an enjoyable recap of age old history lessons and included some events that I’d never heard of before; like the 2,300,000 US gallon molasses flood in January 1919.  So, aside from attending the meeting at the Hynes Convention Center, the few things we did enjoy this trip were different from any of our previous trips to Boston.

Twice before we’ve driven the entire 7 ½ hour trip from home to Boston and believe me once was too many times when you include driving in the city of Boston.  I’d rather drive in NYC than in Boston.  Another time we stayed outside Boston and took the train in to the city; very good choice!  Once we drove to Albany and left our car at our daughter’s home and proceeded on via Amtrak which is also a nice way to do the excursion.  This time air service was available from home to Boston by way of Albany: a two hour trip, in the air, is inexpensive and very convenient.  The 9 passenger plane flies between 4 and 10 thousand feet and truly gives one the birds-eye-view of the landscape.

Boston Harbor, photo by Google

MTA tickets, Google photo

Our hotel’s restaurant, Brasserie JO, is done in authentic French design both décor and menu; so much so that we ate three different meals there: bkfst, lunch and dinner.  Other dining establishments we visited were Cheese Cake Factory, Chart House, Legal Seafood’s, California Pizza Kitchen, and Limoncello’s.  Limoncello is a family owned restaurant in the North end of Boston; Little Italy.  They make their own Limoncello.  Dining is expensive in Boston but you do get great quality for your money.

 Chart House, Google photo

 Hynes convention cntr, Google photo

 

The big highlights of this trip was getting together with an old friend who was inclined to tell everyone we met that I had a great influence on his choosing Nurse anesthesia as a career.  Also at this meeting I met the two current student nurse anesthetists whom I had sponsored, enabling them to attend the national convention.  Passing the torch to the younger generation is as fulfilling as success at the head of the bed.



Boston Trolley, google photo