Cradle of the United States
Published in Interia
(Poland) on 18 November 2011
by M. Hmielewicz and M. Jamkowski (link to
original)
Every time one meets a person from Boston, they will undoubtedly be forced to listen to how great the city is. They will likely be invited to visit. Even if saying that Boston is the most beautiful American city is an overstatement, it’s still well worth a visit.
The atmosphere in Boston is relaxed, unlike in other American metropolises. There are many sights to see as well. After all, this is one of the oldest cities in the United States.
While Manhattan was still an overgrown island and American Indians were putting up totems in California, the seeds of the future United States were being sown in Boston. No other city in America has the same historical significance, and at the same time, no U.S. city is more European than Boston.
Boston is not as large or hectic as New York City, as important as Washington or as famous as Los Angeles. Though it is slightly removed from the loop of American life, for Americans Boston represents elegance and style as well as the Protestant work ethic. It is around Boston that one can find two of the four top American universities. Wages in Boston are high as well, along with the cost of living.
The residents of Boston cherish their outsider status. Though most Poles associate Boston with Ally McBeal, most Bostonians live a slower-paced life. They also live longer, as compared to life expectancy in other American cities. Boston also has its own accent, featuring a slight drawl, which others, especially New Yorkers, view as provincial. At the same time, they “swallow” the last syllables that contain the letter “r,” which to the majority of Americans makes them sound as uptight as the Englishmen in the House of Lords.
The Boston Tea Party
In reality, Boston is a very relaxed but classy city. Though Europeans see the U.S. as a country with no past, Boston’s history goes back to the 17th century.
The city was founded in 1630 by English fishermen, who exploited the massive amounts of cod off of the coast. During intense storms, they would often anchor at the mouth of the Charles River. Six years after Boston’s founding, Harvard University was created in nearby Cambridge, the first American university.
During this time, the Boston waterfront became the largest hub of trade between the Old and New Worlds. To this day, trade plays an important role in the local economy.
Boston became famous in 1773, when men disguised as Indians dumped tea off of ships moored in the harbor. This was done to protest the British tax policy. This incident contributed to the escalation of tensions between the colonies and the Crown, which eventually led to the American Revolution and independence. Today, that act is known as the Boston Tea Party. Every year, actors recreate the scene in Boston Harbor amid fanfare and revelry.
Contemporary Boston does not rely as much on the sea anymore. Along the waterfront, where the docks used to be, one can now find boardwalks and restaurants.
Beauty Above Everything
Reminders of Boston’s sea-faring roots can be seen in Boston’s huge aquarium and the whale-sighting boats that leave the harbor. Bostonians are local patriots and can’t imagine living anywhere else. They are willing to fork over a lot of money to make their city beautiful.
Several years ago, the mayor of Boston announced the Big Dig. The highway running through the heart of Boston would be put underground, and the surface would be covered with parks and fountains. Though the project went over budget, the mayor still managed to get reelected. The mayor then declared that the beauty of Boston was more important than the costs. Everyone clapped.
The atmosphere in Boston is relaxed, unlike in other American metropolises. There are many sights to see as well. After all, this is one of the oldest cities in the United States.
While Manhattan was still an overgrown island and American Indians were putting up totems in California, the seeds of the future United States were being sown in Boston. No other city in America has the same historical significance, and at the same time, no U.S. city is more European than Boston.
Boston is not as large or hectic as New York City, as important as Washington or as famous as Los Angeles. Though it is slightly removed from the loop of American life, for Americans Boston represents elegance and style as well as the Protestant work ethic. It is around Boston that one can find two of the four top American universities. Wages in Boston are high as well, along with the cost of living.
The residents of Boston cherish their outsider status. Though most Poles associate Boston with Ally McBeal, most Bostonians live a slower-paced life. They also live longer, as compared to life expectancy in other American cities. Boston also has its own accent, featuring a slight drawl, which others, especially New Yorkers, view as provincial. At the same time, they “swallow” the last syllables that contain the letter “r,” which to the majority of Americans makes them sound as uptight as the Englishmen in the House of Lords.
The Boston Tea Party
In reality, Boston is a very relaxed but classy city. Though Europeans see the U.S. as a country with no past, Boston’s history goes back to the 17th century.
The city was founded in 1630 by English fishermen, who exploited the massive amounts of cod off of the coast. During intense storms, they would often anchor at the mouth of the Charles River. Six years after Boston’s founding, Harvard University was created in nearby Cambridge, the first American university.
During this time, the Boston waterfront became the largest hub of trade between the Old and New Worlds. To this day, trade plays an important role in the local economy.
Boston became famous in 1773, when men disguised as Indians dumped tea off of ships moored in the harbor. This was done to protest the British tax policy. This incident contributed to the escalation of tensions between the colonies and the Crown, which eventually led to the American Revolution and independence. Today, that act is known as the Boston Tea Party. Every year, actors recreate the scene in Boston Harbor amid fanfare and revelry.
Contemporary Boston does not rely as much on the sea anymore. Along the waterfront, where the docks used to be, one can now find boardwalks and restaurants.
Beauty Above Everything
Reminders of Boston’s sea-faring roots can be seen in Boston’s huge aquarium and the whale-sighting boats that leave the harbor. Bostonians are local patriots and can’t imagine living anywhere else. They are willing to fork over a lot of money to make their city beautiful.
Several years ago, the mayor of Boston announced the Big Dig. The highway running through the heart of Boston would be put underground, and the surface would be covered with parks and fountains. Though the project went over budget, the mayor still managed to get reelected. The mayor then declared that the beauty of Boston was more important than the costs. Everyone clapped.