Life...The Vivere

BOSTON...and Japan 
August 24, 2012 

"Puritan colonists from England founded BOSTON." 

Hi Family and Friends,

Our daughter and grandchildren just joined us in a short Boston getaway...what fun!

 Since 1630, Boston has played a central role in American history. My 6 word memoir photo at the top of this posting is Boston's  Old State House built in the early 1700's. It served as a government building as well as one for merchant's exchange! Interesting to see such a revered historic landmark surrounded by skyscrapers... In the late 1600's, Boston was the political, commercial, financial, religious and educational center of the New England area. Along with New York, Boston was the financial center of the United States  in the 19th century and was especially important in funding railroads nationwide. Rebuilding after industrial decline in the mid- 1900's, the 21st century  finds Boston's economy centered on education, medicine and high technology... a major city economically and certainly a popular tourist destination! It's one of our favorite family travel spots!! Here are a few shots from our visit...

Trinity Church

Always a city where people speak their mind...

Statue of an artist in front of the Public Library

One of the Red Sox's biggest fans...our grandson...

...and where do the Red Sox play? FENWAY PARK...

The best Italian food in the city at the NORTH END

Entrance to the underground subway, called "the T," at Copley Square

Newbury Street, filled with good restaurants and great shops

Quincy Market, a historic building near Faneuil Hall. Quincy Market was build as an extension of Faneuil Hall- an indoor pavilion of vendor stalls...in the 1800's.

On our way to Faneuil Hall...straight ahead. Quincy Market is right behind it...

Sailing near Boston's 100 year old Salt and Pepper Bridge (spanning the Charles River between Boston and Cambridge)

 Now, on to some virtual travel...this week, participants in Darcy's Art and Sole POSTCARD CHALLENGE 2012 traveled to JAPAN, famous for Sumo wrestlers and geishas among other things.  Did you know that Japan's crime rate is among the lowest in the world? that it has the highest life expectancy in the world and a literacy rate of almost 100%? that it has a high rate of smokers...almost 60% of the population? that the first geishas in Japan were MEN? that there are people hired by Tokyo's subway system for the express purpose of stuffing people into subway cars, filling them to 200% capacity (during rush hours)? that it's the 10th largest country in terms of population, has the 2nd largest economy in the world (after America,) and the 3rd largest purchasing power in the world?
Here are my postcard and book page for this interesting and unusual country...

Thanks so much for checking into my blog. I appreciate your visit! Hope to see you for my next posting... enjoy your weekend!!

Hugs,
abbyj