- People there were more guarded, but still friendly when you made eye contact with and say hello to them.
- The public transportation system there was decent and functional.
- The entire week I was there, I saw only one speed limit sign: a 5mph sign at the bus terminal in a subway station.
- I did not see one single speed limit sign in the town where I stayed. How did the drivers know how fast to go?
- There were lots of Dunkin’ Donuts there. Lots. (As it turned out, the chain was established just outside of Boston, which explained it).
- People there didn't bring their bags when grocery shopping (or when stopping by neighborhood stores like CVS); rather, they used plastic grocery bags.
- Harvard just celebrated their 375th anniversary.
- The Boston accent was not as commonplace as I expected. I only heard one person with the accent (the security guard at one of the Harvard Libraries).
- I loved to walk.
- It was quite thrilling to be wearing long-sleeve shirts and a scarf in early June.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Boston
I was on a research trip in Boston last month. It was my first time there and below were some of my observations:
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
July 1/4
This year, July 1 fell on a Sunday and July 4 a Wednesday. This meant the Fourth of July celebration at our church took place on July 1.
At the church service, the music was naturally a tribute to the birthday of our country. We sang patriotic songs, including the anthem. In the evening, we had fireworks at the lake on our other campus.
The fireworks were beautiful. But besides taking pictures, I was also missing my hometown. We have fireworks more than once a year over there, and I grew up watching the spectacular shows (the firework shows are bigger and longer, and there is always perfectly coordinated music in the background), especially during Chinese New Year.
This year, July 1 marked the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover. I remember what happened fifteen years ago quite vividly - my late-night walk on the street on the eve of the handover, the many people on the streets, the handover ceremony, the change of flags. This year, there had also been more uncertainties in Hong Kong, which in a way, made me want to be there.
As I was watching the beautiful fireworks and clicking away with my camera, I was reminiscing about Hong Kong while celebrating the Fourth of July at the same time, if it were possible.
At the church service, the music was naturally a tribute to the birthday of our country. We sang patriotic songs, including the anthem. In the evening, we had fireworks at the lake on our other campus.
The fireworks were beautiful. But besides taking pictures, I was also missing my hometown. We have fireworks more than once a year over there, and I grew up watching the spectacular shows (the firework shows are bigger and longer, and there is always perfectly coordinated music in the background), especially during Chinese New Year.
This year, July 1 marked the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover. I remember what happened fifteen years ago quite vividly - my late-night walk on the street on the eve of the handover, the many people on the streets, the handover ceremony, the change of flags. This year, there had also been more uncertainties in Hong Kong, which in a way, made me want to be there.
As I was watching the beautiful fireworks and clicking away with my camera, I was reminiscing about Hong Kong while celebrating the Fourth of July at the same time, if it were possible.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)