Thank you Boston.
Thank you for one of the best visits I’ve ever had to a city. Your beautiful city is only eclipsed by the beyond-the-call-of-duty friendliness I experienced while visiting. From feeling inspired while perusing the campus of Harvard to feeling humbled by history while sauntering along the Freedom walk, everything about Boston has instilled a lasting memory.
Walking around the city you are met with history at every turn. I took many wrong turns down the cobbled windy roads, but there was always a pleasant Bostonian there to get me back on track. Never did I go more than a minute of pulling out a map to having someone show me the way.
While visiting, my home team, the Toronto Blue Jays, happened to be in town. Since I had never been to Fenway, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. But with all you hear about how seriously Bostonians take their sports, I had to decide if wearing my jersey was a risk worth taking.
In the end, I wore my jersey, expecting the worst. Not only were people willing to help me when I wasn’t sure which train would take me there, I never felt more a part of history and camaraderie as I did while sitting in my outfield bleacher seat.
The moment I bought my ticket, I was reminded what it means to have friendly rivalries. When I tried to enter the stadium, I was stuck at the gate. My ticket was not scanning and I couldn’t get through. Only when one of the Fenway attendants told me to put on a Boston cap, one of the many which were being given away that day, did my ticket magically get accepted by the turnstile. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he had something to do with it.
I spent a lot of my time travelling around on the MBTA. Every driver was helpful, courteous, and helpful as I tried to find my way around. While I fumbled trying to reload a Charlie card there were no groans, just helping hands.
Then, when I lost my Charlie card during my journey, I went back to the Playwright in Southie, the restaurant where I last remembered having it on me. Unfortunately, the card was nowhere to be found and it looked as though I was walking back to my hotel that night. Or so I thought. A waitress, one who had not taken care of me earlier, offered up her Charlie card without hesitation. “There may be a few bucks on there” she said.
The act took me completely by surprise. Not only did she do it without thinking, she expected nothing in return. It was a moment that restores your faith in the humanity of others.
So Boston. I shall remember you fondly. Thank you for an amazing experience a wonderful memory of your great city.
Cheers,
John Dietrich — A Happy Canadian