Friday will mark two weeks since I first arrived in Boston. I am finally getting settled into my apartment. My furniture was delivered last Saturday, and I have finally got everything reassembled and almost all the cardboard out of my apartment. The Wi-Fi is operational, and the TVs are functional, so things are shaping up. I like the neighborhood and you can’t beat the view. I will never tire of looking at the boats in the harbor and watching the planes at Logan Airport across the harbor.
The biggest issue for me is the traffic and parking. I have ventured out with my car to a few places, and it seems like it is always an adventure. I lived in Los Angeles for about 40 years and have driven in many different countries, including a month in New Zealand driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, so I know I will adapt. The good thing for me it that I am not on a time schedule and can plan my trips at non-peak hours, so I just try to go with the flow. The most frustrating thing about Boston traffic is that the street layout is like someone threw a plate of spaghetti against the wall and deemed that to be the optimum city plan. Thank goodness for GPS!!
Parking is also a challenge – and expensive! Even in the garage below my apartment building, the spaces were not designed for ‘Montana sized vehicles’ and are quite tight. One gets a lot of practice backing into very tight spaces!! My hat is off to all the truck drivers that operate in this city!!
I intend to begin exploring the public transit system here. It isn’t as robust or extensive as the subway system in New York City, but I’ll give it a try. Like New York, as a senior citizen I am eligible for a discount card which I will obtain shortly. If I can take advantage of the public transit system for some of the places I need to go, I will.
I have been walking between three and five miles a day just for exercise and to explore. The fact is, almost everything I need is within a mile and a half walk. (Including the famous Mike’s Pastries in the North End!) There are also tons of Blue Bikes (the city’s bike share program). There seem to be quite a few bike lanes and one of these days, I will get my bike out of storage and give that a try. Unlike many of the people I see riding around town, I always wear a helmet when I am on my bike and will certainly do so here!
Right now, the Northeast is under a ‘heat dome’ so we are experiencing record high temperatures. Today it’s supposed to get up to 95 and the humidity is about 70 percent!! I am right on the harbor so there is usually a breeze to help mitigate this, but it is still hot and humid. I think the heat index today is going to get to 101 degrees. Needless to say, there won’t be a lot of outdoor activity for me today although I did go out for a walk first thing this morning!! [ I clearly need a boat!! :0) )
Jordan is off today because it is Juneteenth which is a Federal holiday and MIT observes it. We will see what kind of mischief we can get into without having to spend too much time outside this afternoon!!
I am leaving for Panama for two weeks next month, so I just look at all this heat and humidity as ‘training’ for that trip! It is only a 5 ½ hour flight from Boston, although I am connecting through Miami so it will take just a tad longer. I am looking forward to seeing what it is like. I am staying in a nice hotel for two weeks in the Punta Pacifica area of Panama City for the same price that I paid for three nights at a hotel here in Boston when I flew out here earlier this year to sign my lease. I’m always up for an adventure so we’ll see how things go in Panama. I will report on that trip next month. In the meantime, the exploration of Boston and New England continues!
Hi – if you venture up to “Downeast” Maine, near Acadia Nat. Park, I’m in the little town of Blue Hill, just 12 or so miles south of Ellsworth. Be a kick to see you. Or, if I’m in the Bostonian area – I’m drop a jingle to see what you’re up to. We’re supposed to be 86 along the coast here today, and 93 tomorrow – but I have learned here after one and a half years – the weather man is taken with a grain of salt – storms and such marching across the country hit Steven King country (Bangor, ME) and there is no explination for what happens next.
Good to hear (read) from you !
Bob
Hi Bob, I expect to get up to Maine sometime in the summer/fall but I’m not sure when. If I get up that way anywhere near Blue Hill, I’ll let you know. I’d be interested to know how you landed on Blue Hill as a place to park! Take care.
p.s. I’d be interested to chat about your trip to Panama. There is a lady just up the highway that does a sustainable farming effort / project there that has been reported to be quite successful there.
She has been looking for volunteers to travel there…