Boston Blitz #9 -Copley Square Library

Favorite building in Boston. This is the central location for the Boston Public Libraries, affectionately called the BPL. Located in the heart of Boston, this historic building dates back to the early 180s's and is flanked by the world-famous Trinity Church (photo from net), Old South Church and across from the Fairmont Copley, which was once known as the Copley Plaza. It's a bustling intersection in Boston, one block down from the Prudential Center, one block away from 'downtown' Boston (Public Garden and Boston Common), one block away from Newbury Street, a trendy upscale shopping etc street. The statues in front of the library represent Art and Science. Wonder which one she is?

Boston Blitz #8 - New Bedford, MA

Herman Melville's New Bedford is just a tad bit different in this century. But the streets still hold the history of mariners. Bethels were built to keep the mariners out of the brothels; banks were built to store the money of the rich captains and whalers. If you look closely at the bank, notice the difference in the two entrances? Can you tell which entrance the sea captains entered and which the hired hands entered?

New Bedford is about a 45 minute ride south of Boston - a city rich with history and ethnicity. It's actually closer to Providence, RI than Boston. Ty and I noticed another close connection, of course tied to whaling, between Boston and Hawaii. It seems Hawaiians were recruited to educate the New Bedford whalers. What a trip that would have been from Hawaii to MA on a schooner - around the capes.....heroic!

Boston Blitz - #8 Marion, MA

Not really Boston but located in Massachusetts = in Buzzards Bay to be exact! There is an ongoing local discussion about whether Marion is actually on the Cape - you see it really isn't considered by many Bostonians to be the 'on the cape' until you crossed over either the Bourne or Sagamore Bridges which span across the Cape Cod Canal.

A little history - Marion was first settled in 1679 as "Sippican," the Wampanoag name for the local tribe. The town was mostly known for its many local sea captains and sailors whose homes were in town, although there were also some small shipbuilding operations on the harbor as well.

Marion seems to be untouched by progress. The houses here, even Front Street, the street which runs through the center of town, seems unchanged.

Boston Blitz #6: Charles Street and Beacon Hill

If ever there was a 'historic' section of Boston (Historic Landmark), it's Beacon Hill, specifically running from Charles Street up to the State House. It was the only street connecting Boston to Cambridge when it was called the Shawmut Peninsula.

This is the area noted for antique stores, sophisticated shoppers and 5 star dining. The Boston Brahmins lived here in colonial Boston. The Cabots, Eliots, Endicotts, Adams, Jacksons and Lodges and Alcotts made it their playground. There is a famous quote in Bostonians' local folklore: "In Boston, the home of the bean and the cod, Where Cabots speak only to Lodges And Lodges speak only to God."

The architecture here is typically New England - brick, cobblestone streets and lots of ironwork. Louisberg Square epitomizes the area with its bow front windows, neatly painted facades, gas lanterns and a green 'square' in the middle of the street.

Boston Blitz #5

Signs from Boston. I have a penchant for these:-)

Boston Blitz No. 4

The Boston Common and The Boston Public Gardens: The Commons was once Boston’s cow pasture, which later evolved into a gathering area where political speeches and protests simmered. Now it’s part of the greenway or Emerald Necklace of Boston (green spaces within the city limits all leading to the Common and Gardens). It’s the oldest park in the US, about 50 acres large. In the 70's, free rock concerts featuring budding groups entertained the college students - The Bank, Aerosmith, The Doobie Brothers.

The State House overlooks the Commons, and Charles Street (a historic section of the city) intersects both the Commons and the Gardens. A magnificent raised relief black plaque of Robert Gould Shaw, the first Black regiment, featured in the movie, Glory, graces the entrance to the Common from the State House.

The Public Gardens gave the artistocracy of Boston a respite to the cows. Now a haven for picnickers, strollers, dog walkers, tourists and brides whose photographer couldn't ask for a better shot of Bostonia in the Public Gardens. The swan boats are hauled out each spring -- and last all summer under peddle power by the local student workers...

Boston Blitz 3 - 'Southie'

Home to Matt Damon's quote, "How are them apples?"

South Boston was the first enclave for Irish immigrants to Boston. Over the years, the neighborhood has attracted professionals and a diversity of ethnic groups, although predominantly the people are of Irish heritage.

In the 70's during forced busing of students to integrate the Boston public schools, Southie was a rough area of Boston. Today it stands as a jewel with a rare coastline featuring beaches within the city limits. Hilly terrain allows great views of the Boston skyline. If you drive straight down L Street, you are only minutes to Boston's harbor district. Streets here are aligned in a grid pattern, probably the only semblance of any order to understanding and getting to know Boston streets.

Castle Island is part of the waterfront of Southie. When spring arrives, it's a ritual for most Bostonians to visit Sullivan's, a no frills fast food dive, and order the first of the season hot dog. These are second only to the Fenway franks.

You can watch the planes landing and taking off from Logan airport which is just on the other side of the Bay while eating an ice cream, walk around the bay, or visit the old fort. The L Street Bathhouse is home of the L Street Brownies, originally a group of men who swim all year round and take their annual nude dunk in the water on New Year's Day to toast their new year.

In addition to Goodwill Hunting, The Departed, Mystic River and Burn Baby Burn were shot in Southie. Its residents at one time included Dennis Lehane, award-winning novelist and Whitey Bulger, FBI's #1 Most Wanted.

Here's Southie for your pleasure....

Boston Blitz 2 - Sail Boston 2009

Ty and I took today off from work and visited some of the tall ships that sailed into Boston this past week. Some of the photos of this stunning day.

The Coast Guard had a hard time directing nautical traffic.

A Boston Blitz

Marta, Eden, or Paul -- not sure who mentioned enjoying seeing photos of Boston -- so here goes! For Marco, my apologies for being sooo very late in posting these photos.

Some pics were taken last summer. A photo assignment is long overdue for me and it's on my current agenda. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy a bit of the Customs House in Boston, the entrance into the Chinatown district of Boston which is close to the North End of Boston - just separated by Fanueil Hall and Haymarket --.




The cemetary is Copps Hill, part of the Freedom Trail. This is a plot of land situated across the street from my mother's childhood home and was stragetic to the Minuteman in the Battle of Bunker Hill.