Today was our last full day in Boston. Our day got started a little late because I knew we would be out somewhat later than we had been. But also because I knew it would be our last “sleep-in” day before our last stop in Saratoga Springs.
So I went out and got coffee and bagels (Boston bagels….). They had egg sandwiches, the response to which from Stephen was whether they had Taylor Ham too. I simply laughed and asked if he recalled the state we were in..
Once I finally got the boys out the door of the hotel, we headed to our first stop… Newbury Street to go to Newbury Comics. The funny thing is that they don’t really have a lot of comics. But their vinyl record collection was amazing. We left there with a bunch of vinyl (numbered Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab albums too). Plus, we got some cool magnets to add to the collection. A final stop at Anime Zakka for Hi-Chews and an anime figure from Dragon-Ball Z made me realize that we would have to go back to the hotel to drop off our purchases.
After our slight detour, we were back on the T and headed to Faneuil Hall. We got the kids National Park Service passports stamped and then walked through Quincy Market. We were going to need a late lunch/snack before our evening activities, so we scoped it out. But an important memorial we wanted to see while in Boston was the New England Holocaust Memorial.
The Memorial was very moving. In fact so much more than I even anticipated. An opening quote from Eisenhower reflects the importance of remembrance of what took place and how important it is that we never allow it to be forgotten. As you pass through the opening stones that describe the actions of the Nazis for a period of 12 years (1933-1945), you pass through 6 columns of glass with panels listing the tattooed numbers of those who were killed in the concentration camps. As of that were not moving enough, when you look down, you see steam rising from grates that cover an area with lights in the floor and the name of the concentration camp engraved on the adjoining wall. This is meant to signify the chambers and the gasses rising from them. Quotes from Holocaust survivors also appear in front of the glass numbered panels. And there are factual statements that appear on the stone passageways to each glass column. 6 columns for the 6 million who were killed in the Holocaust.
We must always remember our past and apply this to what happens in the future. This is so important now. After all, what happens when there is no one left to advocate for humanity?
After sitting and talking about the Memorial, and spotting a rat…. Yes, a rat… we went back to Quincy Market for a snack before heading to the Ghosts & Graveyards Tour we signed up for. This was going to be really interesting. But, while on our way out of Quincy Market, we made a quick stop at the Crocs store. Of course, despite the boys saying they had no interest, we left with 2 new pair of Crocs!
The Ghosts & Graveyards Tour was really fun and really educational too. Who knew? We learned about Charnel Houses (look it up). The tour leader told us she was an artist and said she could draw portraits. Haha! See below. We learned more about Paul Revere and the Revolutionary War. Some parts were definitely spooky, but it was well done.
After the Tour, we headed to North End for an Italian dinner. It was great to see Boston’s “Little Italy". We had a great dinner at La Famiglia Giorgio. While waiting for dinner to arrive, we played our favorite game called “Questions”. Each person asks a thought provoking question and all of us has to consider and give an answer. I love playing it every time. I learn more and more about my sons when we play.
Then we were back to our hotel, The Verb, to get ready to head out tomorrow. Boston has been a lot of fun and we will definitely make a trip back with our Charlie Cards in hand!
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