Today, I took the T into the city and explored. Not very exciting, right, since I have lived here for three decades and been into Boston hundreds of times. However, I discovered new things that I hadn't seen before (there is no longer a highway running through the city, imagine that),was reminded of the things I really don't care for (the T not running on time), as well as many of the gems the city holds. For years, the city has been a place I went to for appointments, the occasional North End dinner out with friends, or the even more occasional show at the Wang Center.Finding clothes that fit is challenging nowadays, but I donned a comfy skirt and tank top for my tourist adventure. There is an MBTA express bus which departs at the top of my street and delivers one directly to the Old State House/Fanueil Hall area. For years, this area was a place to explore when I was a teenager, getting on the T for adventures into the "big city". I bought my dress for our 8th grade "Final Fling" at a boutique in Quincy Market and took many trips with friends to the very long Food Court there. It is a tourist trap, however, and I steered clear of it.
What I did spend some time doing was walking around the area between Quincy Market and the Aquarium. What used to be ugly (the Central Artery) is now a place for families to walk. It took a few moments to even place in my mind this general location I had been in many times previously. It is amazing how relatively quiet it is. The waterfront is a quick walk and it was indeed bustling on this hot, humid summer day.
Walking towards Downtown Crossing, past "the Lollipop building", where I worked while at Fidelity, I felt markedly out of place with the dozens of business people in suits. Downtown Crossing is allegedly much safer now (the so-called Combat Zone is gone), but gone as well is Filenes and other former mainstays. The Corner Mall still looked, and smelled, suspiciously the same when I went in for a quick iced coffee from DD's.
My adventure continued on Newbury Street after an Orange Line ride to Back Bay station. The apartments there were the scene of many nights after working on one campaign or another, crashing at my friend Megan's place (gorgeous and financed by her Wellesley parents). It was so funny to walk through Copley Place, location of many drinks and meals at Chili's where my friend Regan waitressed. After walking through Copley, I eagerly explored the Farmers Market in Copley Square. So many yummy treats!
On Newbury Street, where the only thing I ever purchased was music and food, it was fun to "people-watch". Women in 4 inch heels and designer clothes, attractive teenagers with cash to spend... A trip to the used bookstore proved a nice, air-conditioned break, as well as a place to play. After getting my hair done at a fancy salon, I walked towards the Public Gardens.
Seeing the small figure-8 shaped pond brought back so many memories, of my own childhood and of taking my own kids for rides on the swan boats and seeing the "Make Way for Ducklings" bronzed statues. What wonderful symbols of Boston, and the innocence of childhood, these figures are. I treasure the copy of the Robert McCloskey book my kids' uncle gave my oldest when she was born.
Boston looks different through the eyes of a wandering native, than it does of a seasoned city dweller or of a tourist. What a nice, if sticky, day was had. I would be lying, however, if I didn't admit it is might nice to be sitting on my back porch with ice water and a breeze as I type this. I intend to make a point of going back to the city, 10 miles from home, more often and getting to know it better.
