Two Saturdays ago, we did the "tourist-in-your-own-city" thing again by finishing up the Freedom Trail, which we had started back in January.
This time we started where you're supposed to start: Boston Common, which was an adventure in itself. We listened to a saxophone ensemble, slurped down a fresh lemonade, discovered we didn't have enough cash to buy girl scout cookies from a junior scout and her cat on a leash ($4 a box?! inflation is painful), and watched tourists pose with a live statue.
All this before we got started on the actual Freedom Trail.
We only paused for photos at most locations, since we weren't in much of a mood to pay for indoor tours when we were enjoying the glorious outdoors for free. Not to mention the natural light was incredible for photos.
We spent the majority of our time in Granary Burying Ground, final resting place of Paul Revere. Maybe cemeteries seem less macabre to us because our family businesses are funeral homes and a memorial park. But it's fascinating to see an American culture long gone, what mattered to them, and the legacy they left.
Some remembered...
and some forgotten.
Even more interesting than the Freedom Trail, is observing the people on the Freedom Trail. For example, we walked past two Barbie types and overheard one girl ask the other, "So what did Paul Revere DO, anyway?" I think if we tried we could have convinced them he fostered the Revolution by stealing King George's under pantaloons. Other tourists were just heartwarming.
We also paused near Faneuil Hall where, like Boston Common, there always seems to be a commotion. That afternoon housed a combination of people protesting the healthcare bill and the break dancers that always draw a crowd.
(the most creative sign: I'm diabetic so I can't drink the koolaid.)
These large crowds lead to peculiar way-finding, like "yeah, we're right between the break dancers and Sam Adams." Never a dull moment!
We're lucky to be in a place we can see the sacrifices our founding fathers made for freedom juxtaposed with people exercising those freedoms. I wonder if they could have imagined where we are today. What a broken but beautiful world we live in. And I hope when it's all said and done, I will be remembered for using my freedom to make a difference. What legacy do you want to leave behind?