Denny, Denny Crane

28.12.2008

 

Felt heaps better again, so got up and moving and ventured off to see Boston. Started at the Downtown Crossing station, and once I emerged to the BEAUTIFUL weather and daylight - it was so warm (about 15 degrees celcius) compared to temps I'd been experiencing, it was glorious!!! It wasn't a sunny day though, so felt warmer without the opportunity for extra warm with a flash of sunlight. Over into the Boston Common for a look around - the park in the city centre, then through to the other side. Past "The Frog Pond" the lake in the middle, covered in ice skaters, enjoying the warmer day. Headed up Boylston Street, looking for office building number 500. Found it pretty quickly - the numbers surely did jump quickly. It stood out pretty well, surely knew where I was! 500 Boylston Street being the building exterior used for Boston Legal. So there was my "cheesy" tv show number one spotting done. Back towards my other "cheesy" tv show. This was a lot easier - the city knows tourists come looking for this one. I must add I wasn't the only one outside Boylston Street taking photos. There's other fans in the world!!! Was super excited when I glimpsed my first glimpse of that fantastic place where everybody knows your name. Finally the show was in context. I could picture it all, relative to the city and the suburbs and it was so cool! Went inside but this was the place used for the exterior shots only, so the inside was nothing like the show. It was however an all-American bar, which is what the show was modelled on, but has since been renamed Cheers and has a lot of crap inside for the tourist hordes and a menu to match. I kept going though along the Freedom Trail. Cracked up outside the State House - information sign pointing to entrances etc said - Hooker Entrance (this way). There's a photo in my photos, I'll put it in here if I remember. The idea of them having their own entry way to the official building was just too much. None of the other tourists around could see what was so funny though. Weird people! Lots more sites along the Freedom Trail, but really, not at all something I'd bother going to Boston for. Fanueil Hall Marketplace was buzzing on a Sunday afternoon. Wandered through, but felt like I was at Hillary's Boat Harbour or the like, not like I was in a really old market place, which it is. Found the Replica Cheers and was seated straight away. That was where service ended. I sat there for a bit waiting for a menu, but it wasn't forthcoming, so I started making eye contact with waitresses, and they just kept looking away, So eventually I spat it and took off. Ate a pub further down, and that was also an experience. I ordered a  burger, I had the taste for a burger and wasn't NOT having it. It came with pickles, coleslaw and chips. Righty-o, no worries. Til it came out. Of course, chips in this bloody country refer to potato chips from a packet, as in crisps. Hmm. Lesson learned. Continued over to Hanover Street - Little Italy - also conveniently along the Freedom Trail. Paul Revere's house, Paul Revere's mall, the Old North Church, where the lanterns were hung to signal to him. Most impressive in this area, aside from the continued charm from the rest of Boston, was the canoli. I bought it from Mike's Pastry Shop, which I was later told is easily the best pastry shop in Boston. Enjoyed the canoli very much, can see Tony Soprano's and Ray Romano's obsession with them!!!!! As I was heading back to the downtown area I asked about a movie theatre, thought it might be time to see one, as I'm told that's a must-do in the USA. Was directed to go to Cambridge/Harvard Square, so I made my way there. Lovely area, definitely nice. No luck on he theatre though, it was a three hour movie, and I wasn't in the mood for one that long!! So home, dinner, talk with the other hostellers, check out directions for trip to Salem tomorrow, then bed. Went upstairs to discover room empty and thought to try the tv in the room. It worked, so I hopped into bed and watched House til I fell asleep.