I have four hours left before I fly from Boston to Japan, on a one-way ticket, beginning the first segment of my six month journey. This past week, I have been busy "closing down" life in Boston, saying "good-byes" to close friends, and experiencing what could be considered many "lasts." You cannot have a beginning, without an end; last week, I said goodbye to a job where walking into work meant walking in to be greeted by friends; I said goodbye to a church which a mere year-and-a-half ago opened its doors and welcomed me in; I said goodbye to close friends--my new found family. You cannot have a beginning without an end. I said "goodbye" in order to say "hello" to a journey which has been at the back of my mind for a long time...a journey which I often found myself daydreaming about, a journey which has kept me awake countless nights.
Four hours, and I get to start this journey. I embark on this journey to see the world, to experience humanity, to become closer to God. I travel without a destination in mind, without a set route, or an itinerary. It is the journey itself that I am excited about--the plane rides, the train rides, the bus rides, the ferry rides; the opportunity to start in Asia, and make my way to Europe, seeing the landscape and the people slowly change as the environment changes. I travel to reflect on all of this change with hopes that I too will be changed.
Prehaps Rosalia de Castro put it best when she says: "I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it."
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Best of Boston
As my time in Boston comes to a close, I want to take a moment to share my personal version of the “Best of Boston” (in no particular order of preference):
1. Gourmet Dumplings (Chinatown-52 Beach Street)
Offering mouth-watering delicious cheap food, this small restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown is a gem! Whether you sit in the back corner right next to the fish tank where waiters will carefully reach over you to net up live fish to bring into the kitchen; or you sit towards the drafty and often crowded front of the room, your food will be amazing! First timers, I recommend the pan fried dumplings, scallion pancakes, and julienne chicken wonton soup. Split the meal by two people, and it comes under $10/person! 2. South End Buttery (South End-314 Shawmut Ave)
3. Franklin Cafe (South End-278 Shawmut Ave)
Simply put—a neighborhood bar that offers amazing gourmet food, a great beer selection and a wonderful atmosphere! It usually gets crowded by 7:30 each night
4. Formaggio (South End-268 Shawmut Ave)
I like to browse the different cheeses, cured meats and other gourmet foods. The staff are very generous when giving out samples and extremely helpful in sharing cheese recommendations. 5. Boston Public Library (Back Bay-700 Boylston)
6. Old South Church (Back Bay-645 Boylston)Come experience the majesty of God through the beautiful Sunday service at Old South! The music is awesome, the people are amazing, and the church is extremely welcoming. There is no better way to describe Old South than to say that it is an open church—open to people from all walks of life, open to a spirit of service to the world, open to a philosophy of social justice—it is a church that promotes that the love of God not be confined within church walls, but rather, be open to the world.
7. Commonwealth Books (Downtown Crossing-9 Spring Lane)
One of the oldest bookstores in Boston, this used book shop offers three levels of fun browsing and guaranteed good finds
8. Jacob Wirths (Theater District-31-37 Stuart Street)Friday nights, Mel plays the piano while you and 50 of your new best friends sing along to the music from songbooks--while drinking beer!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
