As life has come back to normal, I found myself eager to return to the city and engage in urban activities. When I saw that an old friend was in town I thought this was my perfect opportunity to venture into Beantown and walk the streets, ride the subways, and enjoy the hustle and bustle. I saw on Facebook that Mike and Travis were seeing the sites of Boston so I quickly messaged them to see if we could do lunch or something. They were on their way to P-town but thought we could squeeze in dinner on Friday night. As I drove down I-93 I kept wrestling with myself whether to attempt to park downtown or take the subway in. The pandemic has kept me from the T for the past year so I decided that was on my list of things to do. I took the Orange Line to BackBay station and proceeded to our rendezvous. On the way, I was overwhelmed with the new sites and sounds. Outdoor seating is still the norm in the city and restaurants had set up tables throughout the area decorated with lighting and plants and filled with diners enjoying lively conversation. I had booked our table to be outdoors so I was excited for this experience. We had a wonderful dinner reminiscing over times past and getting to know one another again. Afterwards we walked up to Copley Square where we could continue our conversation and not hold up a table. I left that evening via the Green Line to the Orange Line and thought to myself that I had to get back here soon!

Soon occurred two weeks later. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Janet wanted to watch the last game of the season for the Kansas City Royals, but I couldn’t bear to be stuck inside. Not really knowing where I was going to end up, I headed down I-93 again and reminiscing about my visit with Mike and Travis. They had explored the Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library. I hadn’t seen this piece of Boston, so I determined this would be my beginning destination of the day. I like to park at Assembly Square and board the Orange Line there because parking is free for the first 3 hours and very cheap for additional time. The station is clean and open and not too long of a ride into the city. The best part is that when coming home it’s a straight shot right back on the highway!!

I got off the train and proceeded to the Church of Christ Scientist and accompanying library. Photographs are not allowed of the Mapparium because of copyright laws so I took a picture of the picture in the tour pamphlet. The room is a 360 degree stained glass sphere with a glass bridge spanning the center. The globe is done as the world looked in 1935. The acoustics are marvelous and everywhere acts as an echo chamber except the dead center of the sphere. A short presentation tells about the Mapparium. You exit the sphere into a room with other interactive exhibits that detail progress and possibilities throughout the world. It was an awesome experience that I’d never seen before.

I departed the library and had hoped to be able to see the interior of the church. However, it was blocked due to construction so I guess I’ll have to make it the focus of another day. The grounds are beautiful and the newly finished reflecting pool and fountain added to the grandeur of the setting.

I could have gotten on the Green Line and headed home but opted instead to walk through the streets. My visit before had been at night when things were quiet. Today there were rallies and demonstrations and people relaxing in the Public Gardens and Commons. I stopped in Quincy Market for a smoothie before finally deciding it was time to go.

It’s been a long hard year and half to have been so close, but seeming so far. Now that I’m vaccinated and practice social distancing I don’t mind going down and enjoying all the city has to offer. It’s nice to be a local tourist in Boston again!