My friend Daniel hails from California, but we met each other in Oxford, three years ago. He was part of the ACU group when I was there for grad school, and he moved to Boston in May. So we met up last Friday for a walk around the city – since he’s been here three months, he’s an old hand already. He introduced me to some of his favorite places, and I’ll pass the favor on to you.
First, we had lunch, and then walked through Boston Common:
I love the Common, with its fountains, trees, green grass and lots of places to sit and read. I’m sure I’ll be visiting more often.
Next, we toured the Massachusetts State House:
Beautiful, ornate and completely fascinating. I don’t remember half the things our guide said, but I loved walking through all the halls decorated with murals, and touring both the House and Senate chambers. So cool.
Next, we visited King’s Chapel, where lots of Boston notables have attended, including Paul Revere:
It was gorgeous, and so ornate, with the old box pews and carved altar and elaborate script up at the front. You can sit in the pews, actually – so here I am in the pew owned by John May, Louisa May Alcott’s grandfather. She and her mother (and her sisters, of course) grew up going to King’s Chapel. (This is the part where I freak out just a little bit – she is my favorite author from childhood. I’ve read Little Women a hundred times, and I can’t wait to go to Orchard House, where she lived.)
We walked to Mike’s Pastry in the North End, and ordered cannoli. (“Leave the gun, take the cannoli.”) These are rich, gooey pockets of heaven. Mine (please try not to drool on your computer keyboard) was chocolate mousse:
(It’s basically fried dough filled with chocolate mousse, dunked in chocolate chips on either end and then squirted with more chocolate. Heaven.)
We ate our cannoli in Christopher Columbus Park, and talked of “cabbages and kings,” by which I mean Oxford, ACU, Boston and everything in between. Such a fun day with a good friend. I’ll leave you with a view of the harbor from the park:
More soon, friends. Till then, rest assured that I’m keeping my eyes and ears open, for more gorgeous scenes (and desserts!) to share with you.
cakes, tea and dreams 
Really enjoyed your photos, sounded like a fantastic day!
Thanks, Katie! I’m really enjoying seeing Boston through your eyes.
Loved your pictures of Boston and I, too, LOVE Louisa May Alcott. I was blessed enough to take a trip to MA a few years ago and spent a day in Concord. Orchard House and Sleepy Hollow cemetery are “must do” for you along with Nathaniel Hawthorne’s house and Walden Pond. You are now living in an area so rich with history and I know you’ll enjoy every moment just soaking it up – wait until you see the spectacular colors of fall in New England!
Oh, Katie! Love the photos and descriptions of things Boston. Just catching up on your blog after a blogless summer, and can’t wait to read more, both of what you’ve already written and what’s still waiting to be chronicled. Miss you!