A ride with the wind.

Hi future managers!

Luckily, we all got in time (even the spanish people!) for the boat trip, and no one was left behind. Some had the chance to smoke before the exciting departure and we all heard a brief introduction about the history of Boston's Harbor, coming out from Professor Bruce Berman's mouth. By the way, have any of you seen his boat?

What still strikes me the most of the Americans is that they use simple and logical words to name things. in this case, we have all seen that one of the islands looks like some spectacles, and therefore has been named after 'Spectacle Island'. Another one of the 34 Harbor Islands is called 'Moon Island' because it is also shaped like that. It is an easy way of remembering their names. In Europe, people would try to be so original that they would complicate it even more. For ski resorts, the slopes are numbered. In the US, they hace names! Bruce told us that he planned a private boat trip to Spectacle Island this weekend, he had good weather for sure. I am so jealous! Coming from an island in Spain called Mallorca, I am used to the sea. It gives me the sensation of peace and liberty..away from the noise and the city. The other day at the trip, I realized how much I appreciate the place where I come from and that if I had to choose between living next to the sea or right in the city, my choice would be the first option without doubt!




Going back to the topic, I have checked out the difference between Boston before and after the 'Big Dig'. What a difference it makes! The 18 Billion dollars that it cost to make it, together with the work of about 20,000 workers and within the time frame of 20 years is pretty impressive. As we learned, these projects take a long time to be planned and even to be made! The result was worth it. Otherwise, the other day when we were walking next to Quincy Market, the noise would have been horrible and a deterrent of our conversations if it would have been like in the past. Cars passing above us, some beeping...The carrousel music was far more entertaining than that.

The Harbor is very clean. Much more than Harbors is Spain for example. The estimate of 5 Billon dollars that Boston Harbor invested in cleaning it up has been effective. No bottles thrown inside, no plastics that can get caught in the motor of the boat...good! The 'Long Wharf' is known due to the extension that was made @ the Harbor. Before, the water was right below the building of the clock. Now, its further away and many building surround the Harbor, hotels like the Marriot or InterContinental too. Before, the Harbor was used mainly for shipping, like in the days when Frederic Tudor, the 'stubborn' man decided to export Boston's ice to the Caribbean and later to India. Real Estate is the best investment that can be made in Boston right now. Especially if its close to the sea, because everyine wants a view to the ocean. With the Harbor, the reputation of Boston's universities such as MIT, Harvard, BU, etc...the state is considered to have great expertise and new innovating ideas.

It is incredible how they built houses for the poor in the islands, and how the value of the houses in the port have increased due to its cleaning investment. I wish I would have a house there! The only thing I wouldn-t like id to live close to the fertiliser plant. The smell wasn't too comforting at Quiny Port. However, we have all noticed that it gets pretty windy around the Harbor Islands, and thats also a reason why there are some windmills built to profit from the wind energy. They are for sure much nicer to view than the electrical power towers!

Even though the wind was cold on our way back to Boston's Long Wharf and it messed up the girl's hair a little, it was worth the excursion.

What no one will forget is that 1:2:3 'I Love You' is the way the old lighthouse works.
Next excursion:to try the best Hot Dog on the island after class!

See you all on Wednesday,

Take care,

Tess.