First field trip in Boston

I enjoyed this field trip we made all together ; yes it was worth to wake up earlier on this sunny Wednesday. I have to admit that I adapt myself very well with my new lifestyle ; indeed on Sunday I was on the beach in Rhode Island, in Newport, and as you can imagine I can’t expect such nices trips in Paris or in Metz …

I didn’t imagine that the main activity of Boston Harbor was the real estate, in addition to shipping, tourism, and industrial activities. The houses with each their squares of green grass are common here ; why not living on a boat ?

I learnt the megaproject of the « Big Dig » , a 3,5 miles tunnel, which was concieved in the 1970s in order to replace a highway and consequently, solve the problem of the traffic congestion. It’s unbelievable to know about the figures : its estimated cost, in 1985, was $2,8 billion ; its real cost reached $18 billion, which approximately amounts at $8 billion in the 1982 $... The second big Bostonian project was the « Boston Harbour Cleanup ». This project wasn’t financed by the Government as the previous, but by the Bostonians ; it can be an explanation of the speed this project was led ; it transformed the harbor from the dirtiest to one of the cleanest of the country. As a consequence, the Real Estate value varied a lot, and is currently the best investment that can be done in Boston.

A meaningfull data I remember is what makes the Boston story : the innovation, the human capital, and the money of dead ( and rich ) people. Boston was established in 1630 by English colonists; Harvard was created in 1636 ( I hope my memories are good, I read it in an old guide before arriving here … ), thanks to John Harvard wealth, a ministry of Charlestown, who left his library and half his estate to the institution after his death. Even though I’m in BU and proud of it, how not to be recognized when studying in the oldest institution of higher education ? This historic part is to remember that skilled people, european creations ( as well as churches ) remain definitely sources of the expertise of Boston, and still make it strong today.

I learned a bit about the 34 islands in the Boston harbor area, which belong to a National Park. I think Castle Island is not any more part of it, since it’s nowadays connected to the land by a road. What about this Island named Penikese Island, one of Mr Berman’s favourite one? It’s located in Buzzards Bay, and is now obviously primarily grass covered. I read that the state purchased it in 1904 for $25,000 and built a leprosy hospital to isolate and treat all Massachusetts residents with the disease. What a strange story...

The last memory of this interesting trip: when I left, the bare-chested “sailor” on the boat with us, gave me a kiss hand, a glass in his hand ... I think American people are welcoming enough! Thank you Captain Berman.

I’m sure to learn interesting and usefull things about Boston during this semester, by reading some of your posts and ... When is the next field trip?