"BOSTON" a Boston Travel Page by shohman

Boston truly has it all. The four season's are all beautiful beyond description. On nearly every corner is a bit of American history (and on the opposite corner, there is bound to be a Dunkin Donuts) The is a huge arts community and some of the best colleges in the World call Boston their home. I like it for the ecclectic feel. There is always something going on and people from all over the World relocate there. Boston also has, without a doubt, some of the best food in the World. on the downside, the city is getting too congested and expensive to live, but I would highly suggest it as a vacation destination.

VILLAGES

Boston is broken up into several different sections. In early to mid 1900's when millions immigrated to America, different etnic groups settled in specific areas of Boston. Allthough this is changing and becoming a bit more diverse, the neighborhoods are still dominated by these groups. Here is a breif outline:

Southie: Very Irish. FAMOUS for the yearly St Patricks Day parade. There are many pubs and taverns here. Southie is still a true neighborhood where everyone knows each other, and they are suspicious of outsiders.

North End: Very Italian. Many shop owners live in apartments right above their shops. Most still speak Italian. They have absolutely wonderful festivals all Summer long.

Chinatown: Self explainatory. Chinatown actually went in the toilet for several years. drugs, seddy strip clubs, prostitution all made in an uncomfortable area. As I was leaving in 1999, The City was making a concentrated effort to clean up the area so people could enjoy it. My friends tell me it has improved signifigantly. Chinatown is also right next to the theatre district.

Roxbury: This is mainly African American. It is not a nice area. If you want to experience Black culture (soul food, jazz clubs, etc) there are many outstanding places along Mass Ave which are much safer than what you would find in Roxbury.

South End: Not to be confused with Southie, the South End is Rich, Rich, Rich. They don't care what color you are, sexual persuasion, religion. As long as you have plenty of money. (as in, "I'm a Kennedy money")

SPORTS
Boston is a fanatic, loyal sports town. The fans here are some of the greatest anywhere. The big four teams are:

Baseball: The Boston Red Sox- They play in Fenway Park. Without a doubt one of the greatest parks to watch a game in the entire Country.

Hockey: The Boston Bruins- Hockey just doesn't translate on t.v. When you go to a live game and feel the chill of the ice and the excitement of the fans it is impossible not to get caught up in the atmosphere.

Basketball: The Boston Celtics. For years they dominated the sport. Then Michael Jordan came along. This year the Celtics seem to be headed back for the top.

Football: The New England Patriots. They actually play in Foxborough, about 35 miles from Boston. The Pats just finished up the first undefeated season in the NFL since 1972. They are, in many minds the best team in the history of the NFL. It wasn't always that way. Not so long ago they had a 1-15 season. Well, the loyal fans watched every game of that horrible year and never stopped being loyal. Now they are rewarded :)

Boston has some of the greatest buildings anywhere. I have always been fascinated by the churches more than anything else. They are so intricate, so many small details, that every time I see one I discover something I never noticed before.

Pictured here Trinity Church

These are some of the oldest in the Country. I love the old grave yards. This one has stones for people who came over on the Mayflower.
There are others in the area with stones that read 'killed by hostile natives'
Sadly, these stones are fading and some have even been broken.

Please, if you visit do not touch the stones in any manner. They are fragile and an important part of history.