Great Day in Boston
We always enjoy ourselves on New Year's Day, but I must say that one of the best New Year’s Day that we have ever spent was in Boston. We wandered the city both on New Year’s Eve and on New Year’s Day sampling an intellectual smorgasbord. It was called First Night in Boston.
During the New Year’s Day First Night celebration, places like the Aquarium were open to the public free of charge. Buildings throughout the city were open and were hosts to a variety of cultural dances, plays, symposiums, comedy acts, choirs, viewings, etc. It was amazing. There were ice sculptures displayed throughout the city, people became live participants in works of art, and historical buildings came alive with practices of the past. First Night is a Festival celebrating art and community in Boston that begins New Year’s Eve and goes throughout New Year’s Day. Certain events do require a badge which can be purchased for around $15.00 for adults; however, this badge can be used throughout the year as entre to various cultural events. It is a nominal fee to pay for such an extravagant set of experiences.
We stood in line with a group of people to view an art exhibit and became part of it. None of us knew what would happen as we entered the exhibit. We milled around kind of confused and then one after another we climbed into a giant ice tray. It was a bit silly, but it was also an exercise in an unexpected, but pleasant and humorous social interaction. My daughter and I had a great time.
The following morning, we went to the Aquarium and had a wonderfully peaceful time watching marine animals swimming in the circular aquarium. I was pleasantly surprised that the Aquarium was not very crowded. I originally thought that it would be packed. However, I am assuming that because this great organization opens its doors free of charge to everyone not only every New Year’s Day but also once weekly, and though there were many visitors, it wasn’t too packed to enjoy oneself thoroughly.
During First Night, there were so many activities that the palate of all individuals must have surely been satisfied. Of course, Boston is known for its citizen’s taste for intellectual treats.
Recently, I happened upon an article published in The Boston Globe that was a gift as good as gold. It was entitled, Human Anatomy for Everyone! This wonderful article opened up another intellectual smorgasbord for everyone. Again, Boston demonstrated its citizen’s well known taste for intellectual treats. MIT has started what is called Open Course Ware and consists of some online courses that anyone can take for free. Wow. This is unbelievable. What can we say, but, “Thank you Boston.”?
I wholeheartedly recommend Boston as a place to go not only during the Holidays, but all year around. I have walked Boston’s Freedom Trail twice now, once during the summer months and once during the wintertime. My experiences in Boston brought to life the historical events of the past in which Boston played such a significant part, as well as other events such as the Holocaust. I am pleased that the citizens of Boston have taken on the responsibility of not only keeping history alive, but of nurturing education for the entire country; so, kudos to you citizens of Boston.
During the New Year’s Day First Night celebration, places like the Aquarium were open to the public free of charge. Buildings throughout the city were open and were hosts to a variety of cultural dances, plays, symposiums, comedy acts, choirs, viewings, etc. It was amazing. There were ice sculptures displayed throughout the city, people became live participants in works of art, and historical buildings came alive with practices of the past. First Night is a Festival celebrating art and community in Boston that begins New Year’s Eve and goes throughout New Year’s Day. Certain events do require a badge which can be purchased for around $15.00 for adults; however, this badge can be used throughout the year as entre to various cultural events. It is a nominal fee to pay for such an extravagant set of experiences.
We stood in line with a group of people to view an art exhibit and became part of it. None of us knew what would happen as we entered the exhibit. We milled around kind of confused and then one after another we climbed into a giant ice tray. It was a bit silly, but it was also an exercise in an unexpected, but pleasant and humorous social interaction. My daughter and I had a great time.
The following morning, we went to the Aquarium and had a wonderfully peaceful time watching marine animals swimming in the circular aquarium. I was pleasantly surprised that the Aquarium was not very crowded. I originally thought that it would be packed. However, I am assuming that because this great organization opens its doors free of charge to everyone not only every New Year’s Day but also once weekly, and though there were many visitors, it wasn’t too packed to enjoy oneself thoroughly.
During First Night, there were so many activities that the palate of all individuals must have surely been satisfied. Of course, Boston is known for its citizen’s taste for intellectual treats.
Recently, I happened upon an article published in The Boston Globe that was a gift as good as gold. It was entitled, Human Anatomy for Everyone! This wonderful article opened up another intellectual smorgasbord for everyone. Again, Boston demonstrated its citizen’s well known taste for intellectual treats. MIT has started what is called Open Course Ware and consists of some online courses that anyone can take for free. Wow. This is unbelievable. What can we say, but, “Thank you Boston.”?
I wholeheartedly recommend Boston as a place to go not only during the Holidays, but all year around. I have walked Boston’s Freedom Trail twice now, once during the summer months and once during the wintertime. My experiences in Boston brought to life the historical events of the past in which Boston played such a significant part, as well as other events such as the Holocaust. I am pleased that the citizens of Boston have taken on the responsibility of not only keeping history alive, but of nurturing education for the entire country; so, kudos to you citizens of Boston.
posted by R.A. Holloway | 2:19 PM
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