Karaoke night! October 21, 2010

Every Thursday after my class I meet with my international friends, and friends of friends, at The Kinsale, the Irish pub and restaurant located in the heart of Boston, Governament Center. The Kinsale was designed and built in Ireland. Its interior is warm and cozy, with beautiful Celtic motifs. At night, locals and visitors can enjoy the Irish atmosphere sitting in the dining room or in the bar with free live music, and on Thusday enjoying in singing with friends at the Karaoke night.

Karaoke (カラオケ, a portmanteau of Japanese kara 空 “empty,” and ōkesutora オーケストラ “orchestra”), is defined by Wikipedia as ”a form of interactive entertainment or video game in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music (and/or a music video) using a microphone and public address system. The music is usually popular and lyrics are usually displayed on a screen, changing color to guide the singer.

Karaoke became popular when in 1961 the American TV network NBC broadcasted a karaoke-like series, Sing Along with Mitch, featuring host Mitch Miller and a chorus with the lyrics to their songs superimposed near the bottom of the TV screen for home audience participation. In the late 1960s and into the 1970s, storage of audible materials began to dominate the music recording industry and revolutionized the portability of instrumental music and the demand for entertainers increased globally. With the introduction of music tapes musicians and entertainers began to perform everywhere using this new tool as a base.

There are various disputes about who first invented the name karaoke. One claim is that the karaoke styled machine was invented by Japanese musician Daisuke Inoue in Japan in 1971. After becoming popular in Japan, karaoke spread to East Asia during the 1980s and subsequently to the whole world. In Japan, it has long been common to provide musical entertainment at a dinner or a party. Japanese drummer Daisuke Inoue was frequently asked by guests after his performance to provide a recording of his show so that they could sing along on a company-sponsored vacation. Realizing the potential for the market, Inoue made a tape recorder that played a song for a-100 yen coin and leased it out so that stores did not have to buy new songs on their own. Karaoke machines were initially placed in restaurants and hotel rooms becoming more and more popular. Anyway some claim that Roberto del Rosario,a Filipino, was the inventor of karaoke developing a sing along system in 1975.

In 1990s Karaoke spread all over the world becoming a trend. The Karaoke technology has developed since then and is cointuing to improve. Most karaoke machines have technology that electronically changes the pitch of the music so that amateur singers can sing along to any music source by choosing a key that is appropriate for their vocal range, while maintaining the original tempo of the song. Now, karaoke machines connected via fiber-optic links to provide instant high-quality music and video are becoming increasingly popular. Today people can also practice at home before performing in bars or restaurants tanks to the invention of Karaoke video games such as Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band, and besides singing people can also practice in playing instruments with the introduction of gameplay elements.

So people who have always dreamt to become a famous singer and perform in front of many people but feel like not yet ready for record labels can come tonight to The Kinsale or find the nearest bar or restaurant with Karaoke!

Karaoke Night

Breakfast or lunch? Brunch! October 21, 2010

Today I experienced the delight of brunch!

Brunch is usually defined as a combination of breakfast and lunch. Often, it is a heavy meal meant to take the place of both breakfast and lunch. While common in the United States and in Cananda, Italian people are too tied to the tradition of having at least three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) to introduce brunch as part of their gastronomic culture. According to Punch magazine, the term was introduced in Britain around 1896 by Hunter’s Weekly, then becoming student slang. Other sources claim that the term was invented by New York Morning Sun referring to the typical eating habits of a newspaper journalist.

A meal to be classified as a brunch should start at around 10 and close at 3.  Brunches are often “all you can eat” buffets but you can also order meals a la cartè istead of, or with, the buffet.

At 1:00 PM I went to Cafè Luna, a very famous restaurant in Central Square, Cambridge, MA. As I said I’m not an expert in bruch but I can say of three brunches I’ve had in my life, this was definitely the best. The menu is really rich and complete: eggs,sausages, bacon, ham, fruits, cakes, pancakes, french toast, waffles, pastries, sandwiches, salads, corned beef hash, lentil soup, chili, smoothies, wine and beer. You cannot go wrong! To my experience I definitely suggest the english muffin with cheese, eggs and bacon and pancakes, I got 2 buttered milk pancakes with sirup and 2 buttered milk pancakes with fresh fruit, delicious! The service is really good, the place small but rally nice and if the weather is sunny you can even enjoy your brunch sitting outside. But be prepared to the waiting list, this place is so popular that you can wait even up to 40 minutes!

So I really like brunch and I wished there were more places in Milan that serve it, but anyway I’ve one year to enjoy it in Boston and try out all the restaurants, hotels, bars and colleges that offer it!

Curiosity: in Chinese restaurants  the dim sum brunch is a popular meal that consists of a wide variety of stuffed bao (buns), dumplings, and other savory or sweet food items which have been steamed, deep-fried, or baked. The kitchen continuously produces and sends out more freshly-prepared dishes and  the customers select small portions from passing carts. Dim sum is usually eaten as a mid-morning, midday, or mid-afternoon.

Pancakes

Student’s life… October 20, 2010

It is hard to be an Iternational student, you are always seeking things to do, place to see, and new experiences to gain  in order to absorb as much as possible the life style and characteristics of the new city you live in. Scared to not be able to answer the questions of my family and friends when I’ll go back to Italy for Christmas, I’m trying to incorporate Boston and live it at the maximum level and since I’m a young and energic student there are a lot of cultural, social, sport and fun activities that Boston offers.

Fairs and Festivals events are a great opportunity for International students to get in touch with the social and culture atmosphere, they are usually crowded of people to socialize and trasmit happyiness and enthusiasm. For the upcoming weekeng I suggest:

• Saturday, October 23 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM: HOLIDAY FAIR. Pashmina shawls, Metalwork Jewelry, Pottery, Baskets, Scarves, Mosaics, Paper Crafts, Wreaths, Books, Pocketbooks, Purses, Sterling Silver Jewelry, Stained Glass, Crafts, Gifts, Cruise Planner, Candles and much more. Raffles all day.
• Sunday, October 24 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Brigham House Assisted Living, Watertown,MA:SOWA OPEN MARKET. Over 100 vendors selling unique art, indie designer wares, handmade crafts and much more! With an ever-changing group of artisans, a hip location and the chance to feel the sun on your face while you browse, it’s a trip worth making. The market offers the opportunity to meet the artists, vendors and farmers behind the work. Every week offers shoppers something different and unique.

As I mentioned in my previous post I like sports. It is a good idea to spend the weekend in sport activities having fun with your friends. Check the events I suggest out:

• Saturday, October 23 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Springstep, Medford, MA: ZUMBA CLASSES. This internationally renowned Latin-inspired fitness class will provide you with a calorie-burning fitness workout that is energizing and fun. You will learn to move your body rhythmically and aerobically to the spicy beat of Latin and other varieties of music. Pulling from the energetic movements of dances such as cumbia, merengue, salsa, hip hop, and rumba, this fitness form offers a fun, full-body workout that keeps students coming back for more. Two weeks ago Zumba Class was in Boston Common and was really amusing.
• Sunday, October 24 from 10:15 AM to 12:30 PM at JFK Park; Cambridge, MA: SUNDAY CITY SKATE. This is a free, open to the public, leisurely 6-8 mile social skate around the Cambridge area led by an experienced skate leader. Each skate is supported by members of the National Skate Patrol. Helmet, wrist guards and waiver are required. The meeting is at the fountain of JFK Park at 10:15am and depart promptly at 10:30. The skate ends at the same location. JFK Park is on the corner of Memorial Drive and JFK Street near Harvard Square beside the Charles River in Cambridge.

As far as music is concerned, I’m not that kind of girl who likes concert but I do really like special music event. For example when music is paired with food…

• Sunday, October 24, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at West End Johnnie’s, Boston, MA: WEST END JOHNNIE’S. Live Reggae brunch featuring Conscious Band.

During the weekend what’s better than go to theather, watching musicals, or movies?! Well, those interested in performing arts can try these out:

• Saturday, October 23, at 8:00 PM, at Oberon, Cambridge, MA: THE DONKEY SHOW. The celebrated smash hit, The Donkey Show, takes Boston by storm, bringing the ultimate disco experience – a crazy circus of mirror balls and feathered divas, of roller skaters and hustle queens. The enchanted forest of Shakespeare’s classic comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, becomes the glittered world of retro disco as the lovers escape from their real lives to experience a night of dream, abandon, and fantasy. Party on the dance floor to all the 70s disco hits you know by heart!
• Sunday, October 24, MOVIE NIGHT. The new movie THE TOWN is played in 18 movie teathers around Boston, so pick the nearest one and watch The Town with your friends!
  Running Time: 123 min
  Release Date: Sep 17, 2010
  Director: Ben Affleck
  Starring: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner and Blake Lively.

Finally for those who have a sweet tooth I suggest BOSTON CHOCOLATE TOUR on Saturday, October 23, at Godiva Chocolatier, Boston, MA. The family-friendly walking tour uncovers the famous (and infamous) chocolate delights in the center of Faneuil Hall and the North End. Join Boston Chocolate Tours as we expertly guide you through the corridors of the Quincy Market Colonnade, The Bull Market, Faneuil Hall’s open air shops, and the North End’s historic (and delicious!) bakeries and cafes. Learn the rich history of Boston’s most famous areas while sampling the chocolate delicacies and delights that have crowned Boston as a chocolate destination.

So have a good weekend full of activities!

 

It’s time for shopping! October 19, 2010

Taking a look at the city’s boutiques, malls, department stores, and outlets you’ll understand why I cannot wait more to go shopping. I’m an Italian girl so I like stock up on clothes, shoes, jewelry and accessories, and after more than a month in Boston I deserve checking off my shopping list accurately written and updated since the very first day I arrived here.

It all begins on Newbury Street, a renowned, eight-block stretch whose fashion and chic shops satisfy every taste, mine for sure! It is a Boston’s version of Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive and its historic storefronts offer charming glimpses of Boston during the mid-to-late 19th century. Among a huge variety of brand-name boutiques are some of the city’s true architectural gems, including the Art Deco Ritz Carlton, Richard Upjohn’s Church of the Covenant (1865), and the Temple for the Working Union of Progressive Spiritualists, finished in 1884. The are more than 50 women’s fashion stores along the eight-block “Cockaigne”.

Newbury Street

After your walk on Newbury Street, The Prudential Center is a great stop for shopping or dinning. It is located on Boylston Street where you will find an endless array of department stores open till 9.00 PM!

The next stop for any avid shopper is Downtown Crossing near Boston Common. This shopping’s paradise – pedestrian-friendly, no cars allowed – is the best place for stylish bargains. The Crossing has much to offer: more than 300 independent jewelers and over 200 retailers, specialty stores such as Bromfield Camera, Brattle Book Shop, and Windsor Button complement flagships like Macy’s, H&M, and Borders.

Macy's Downtown Crossing

You cannot go back home without having visited also the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, also called Quincy Market. This area is stocked with quaint stores and tourist-friendly souvenir shops. This Boston’s commercial centerpiece since 1742 was originally established as a market for merchants, fishermen and vendors. In the 1970s, a major renovation to the aging structure transformed it into one of America’s premiere urban marketplaces. Now, Quincy Market boasts more than 50 shops, 14 restaurants, and 40 food stalls.

Living next to the South Bay mall can give my creditcard a workout. It is the perfect place where to find home accessories to furnish my new room and bathroom or where to buy school cheap materials. Who lives around Cambridge should definitely check out the Cambridge Side Galleria, a 3 floor shopping mall, with lots to buy, it can be good place to visit on a cold or rainy day!

So everywhere you go, you find great shopping options…I still don’t understand how I managed to avoid shopping for more than a month!

Missing Italy? …Spend a night in North End! October 19, 2010

I’ve been living in Boston for exactly 56 days right now and I’m starting missing Italy a little bit. I love eating and in fact what I miss most is Italian food. That’s why tonight I decided to go for a stroll in the so called “Little Italy” of Boston. The origin of this nickname dates back to the early 20th century when the North End became the center of the Italian community of Boston. It is still largely residential and well-known for its small, authentic Italian restaurants and for the first Italian cafè, Caffe Vittoria.

Well, if you want to live a sensational, amusing, flavorsome Italian experience, let me be your guide reporting my great evening.

First once you arrive in North End you can feel the Italian atmospheare around you, walking along the crowded streets you can perceive the typical Neapolitan and Sicilian spree, and every now and then you can hear voices that pronounce more or less perfect Italian words.

Our first stop obviously is Pizzeria Regina. I was told it had the best pizza in the country…I had to check it out. There was a considerable wait time but I was told it was worth it. Well, I’ve to admit I’m not a traditional Italian who loves only Italian food and do not like any “reproduction” of it abroad, I really love American pizza even if  it has nothing to do with original Napolitan pizzas. Anyway even though I’ll be criticize by most of Italians by writing this statement, I like the softness of the dough, the crunchy crost and the variety of toppings pizza places offer in United States. I got a slice with chicken, veggies, fetta-cheese, and regular cheese. This was by far the best topping pizza I ever had in United States. Pizzeria Regina is not a big place but it is bustling and loud and the activity emits it’s history and a reminder of its presence. Pizzeria Regina has been serving pizza since 1926. It is brick oven and three generations later, people still show up hungry for that original slice. On  the wall of the restaurant you can see the pictures of many famous actors such as Leonardo Di Caprio and vips who came to eat pizza in this little but great North End pizzeria.

Even though full to bursting point our sweet tooth has not been satisfied yet, so we head to Mike’s Pastry, one of the most well-known Italian pastry shops in Boston.

Mike's Pastry Cannoli

Once you get around there you can see the line from the previous block, but the smell of typical Italian delightful cannoli (canolis), sfogliatelle (lobstertails), bignè (cream puffs), babà al rum (rum cakes), torrone, dolci di marzapane (marzipan), and so many other delicious specialties, can’t but make you stop and wait for your espresso and canolo. The particularity of Mike’s Pastry is that immediately when you enter the shop you find the cafè, a room which seats over 50 people and where you can relax and talk with your friends while enjoying the great desserts.

Mike's Pastry Bocconotto

 

 

So these are North End’s musts, only two examples, only a little slice of Italy that tonight made me feel home and that everyone can experience without flying to my own Country but just walking throughout the little and typical streets of Boston!

Who likes sports? October 17, 2010

I’m a real sportsperson and sportsfan. Since I was a child have being trying out so many sports such as skating, volleyball, tennis, artistic gymnastics, and watching many soccer and basketball games. So since I’m here in Boston and since United States are known all over the world for the variety of sports that are played at every time and in every season, I definitely realized that I couldn’t but become a fan of Boston Red Sox (baseball), Boston Celtics (basketball), Boston Bruins (hockey) and New England Patriots (football).

The Boston Red Sox are a founding member of the American League of Major League Baseball, and one of the four American League teams (the White Sox, Indians and Tigers are the others) to still play in their original city. The “BoSox,” or “Sox” as they are colloquially called, play their home games at Fenway Park, located near Kenmore Square. Built in 1912, it is the oldest sports arena or stadium in active use in the United States among the four major professional sports. Boston was also the site of the first game of the first baseball World Series, in 1903. The Sox won that series and six more since then (1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, and 2007).

Red Sox Fan

Here I am at the Red Sox game vs Toronto Blue Jays on September 19th 2010. We won 6-0 and it was really great to watch the game. I didn’t know so much about baseball rules but at the end I’ve learn how to play it so now I know when to say Go Red Sox!

 

 

 

 

The Boston Celtics basketball team, who play at the TD Garden, were a founding member of the Basketball Association of America, one of the two leagues that merged to form the National Basketball Association. The Celtics, founded in 1946, have the distinction of having more World Championships than any other NBA team with 17 champioships from 1957 to 2008. I know how to play basketball because my brother played in an Italian team and I watched many games in Italy but I would really like to watch a Celtics game, the basketball season has just started do I say go Celtics!

Moreover the TD Garden, above North Station, is also the home of the Boston Bruins ice hockey teamof the National Hockey League. The Bruins, founded in 1924, were the first American member of the National Hockey League and an Original Six franchise, and have won five Stanley Cups, the last being in 1972. They reached the cup finals most recently in 1990. While they have made the playoffs in the early 2000s, they have come up short. In Milan I’ve watch Vipers couple of times because one of my friends plays in the Italian team and I had a lot of fun so it is not difficult to assume I like ice hockey and I really would like to watch a Bruins game.

The Boston Game is thought to be the origins of American football, played by New England prep schools. In 1855, manufactured inflatable balls were introduced. These were much more regular in shape than the handmade balls of earlier times, making kicking and carrying more skillful. Two competing versions had evolved during this time; the “kicking game” which resembled soccer and the “running” or “carrying game” which resembled rugby union. A hybrid of the two, known as the “Boston game,” was played by a group known as the Oneida Football Club. The club, considered by some historians as the first formal football club in the United States, was formed in 1861 by schoolboys who played the “Boston game” on Boston Common. They played mostly among themselves early on; though they organized a team of non-members to play a game in November, 1863, which the Oneidas won easily. The game caught the attention of the press, and the “Boston game” continued to grow throughout the 1860s.

Although the team has been in Foxborough since 1971, a site closer to the state of Rhode Island, the New England Patriots are still generally considered to be Boston’s football team. The team was founded in 1960 as the Boston Patriots, charter members of the America Football League. In 1970, the team joined the National Football League, and moved to Foxboro Stadium in 1971. While in Boston, the team played at Nickerson Field (at the time still known and configured as Braves Field), Fenway Park, Harvard Stadium, and BC’s Alumni Stadium (although the historic core of the Harvard campus and most of the BC campus are outside of the city limits, both stadiums lie within the city). The team has won three Super Bowl titles (2002, 2004, 2005) since the 2001 season, and are the only team to go 16–0 in the regular season (2007) and currently is considered to be second in popularity only to the Red Sox. I don’t know anything about football because is a sport that Europeans do not play but I’m looking forward to learning its rules and watching a game.

So loving sport I definitely love Boston and I’m a fan of Boston’s teams!

 

 

 

3 unmissable attractions of Boston October 16, 2010

Boston is a city that offers opportunities to relieve history, see wonderful buildings and churches, discover the beauty of the harbor and explore an amazing example of american world and life. If you’re visiting Boston for the first time or if you’ve never spent an extended period in Massachusetts’ capital city, here are my picks for Boston’s must-see sights and attractions.

The Boston Public Garden together with the Boston Common, these two parks form the northern terminus of the Emerald Necklace, a long string of parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. While the Common is primarily unstructured open space, the Public Garden contains a lake and a large series of formal plantings that are maintained by the city and others and vary from season to season.

Swan Boats

During the warmer seasons the 16,000 m₂ pond is always the site of the Swan Boats, one of the most famous Boston tourist attractions, which began operating in 1877 when they were first invented by Robert Paget.  Drifting along aboard a pedal-powered swan, it’s easy to forget you are in the heart of New England’s biggest city. The Swan Boats are a Boston tradition that brings out the child in everyone.

 

George Washington

 

Several statues are located throughout the Public Garden, the one I like most is the equestrian statue of George Washington on his horse that seems to greeting its visitors. Created by Thomas Ball in 1869, it is the first statue of the former president astride a horse, and believe me, the horse seems to be real!

 

 

The Freedom Trail is one of the best ways to get acquainted with Boston and to efficiently visit the city’s bounty of historic landmarks. It is marked with a painted or bricked red line that is easy to follow. Signs along the Trail identify each of the 16 stops. I started from Boston Common, America’s oldest public park, for my Freedom Trail excursion. If you’re in a real hurry you can cver the lenght of the trail in an hour but you won’t visit any of the sites along the way, that I suggest to stop and see because it is worth. The 2.5-mile trail begins in Boston Common and ends in Charlestown at the Bunker Hill Monument. Admission to sites along the trail is free except for the Paul Revere House, the Old South Meeting House and the Old State House.

For those who don’t like to walk to much and prefer seeing Boston on a comfortable seat I suggest the Boston Duck Tour. Even if you have lived in Boston all your life, taking a Boston Duck Tour is a lot of fun. The “DUCK” is an authentic, renovated World War II amphibious landing vehicle playing a crucial role in the allied invasions in Sicily, the Pacific, and the biggest invasion of all, D-Day. In fact, more than 40% of all over-beach supplies in Normandy were transported by these boats during the first four months. Your tour begins with a greeting by your ConDUCKtors, who will narrate your tour, and is part of the attraction. The particularity is that your DUCK goes right into the Charles River for a breathtaking view of the Boston and Cambridge skylines, the kind of view you just won’t get anywhere else.

Boston Duck Tour

This is “Kenmore Karla”, the vehicle I took starting my tour from Prudential Center.

 

 

Boston Whale Watch

The Whale Watch on a BCH high-speed catamaran is one of the best experiences I’ve had in Boston. You can enjoy the sea breezes and views of Boston Harbor as the Voyager III catamaran whisks you to the Stellwagen Bank, a busy feeding area for whales, dolphins, sea birds and other marine life. During the 4 hours whale viewing you can learn about whale migration and behavior while watching these magnificent creatures in action.

So if you move to Boston and start a new life here you cannot but miss these three best attractions!

Finding the best accomodation… October 15, 2010

One of the most important and also most hard step when you move to a new city is to look for the best place where to live. My new home is located in South Boston next to Andrew Square, it is a quiet nice area and my room is wonderful, the only problem is that it is quite far from my University and from Downtown where most of my friends live.

The best tip I can give, as far as looking for accomodations is concerned, is take your time. It is obviously what I didn’t do. I arrived in Boston without knowing anything about the city and for the first week I slept in the Suffolk Residence Hall in Tremont Street. So in one week I had to find a room to rent from September to May. The possibilities of succeeding in finding the best accomodation in such a short period and facing many unexpected problems that immediately arose didn’t obviously meet my expectations.

First, in one week in a new city you cannot have the exact idea of the distances between one nieghborhood and another. When I decided to live in Andrew I didn’t realize that every morning I would have walked for 15 minutes to get to the subway that I’m forced to take to go to class, and I also didn’t think that every weekend I would have had to go back home alone by cab in the middle of the night. So not having clearly in mind the exact distance between Downtown and Andrew I rented this room thinking it was in a good and comfortable position and not so far from Boston’s center. Now I’m considering that if I’ve had one more week to look for a room to rent I would have definitely found the best one.

Second, the fact that I’m going to stay in Boston till May because I’m going back to Italy for summer break was one of the biggest problems in reaching a compromise with my roommates and the landlord. In many places, in order to rent a room I was supposed to sign a one-year-lease, sometimes even without any possibility to sublet the room during the summer. In my actual home I didn’t have to sign any lease which means I’m not forced to find a person that will replace me when I leave in May.

Moreover, living a long way away means having lower renting expences and money can sometimes make you undervalue your priorities and act on greedy instinct. As a matter of fact after a while you realize that what you save in your rent you are going to spend in something else such as cabs or T-passes, so you should estimate all the real expences.

So my choice to live in South Boston and in this particular house was casual. After a week looking on web sites such as Craigslist or Boston Apartments, going from one side of Boston to the opposite neighborhood, visiting so many apartments that I started getting confused and mixing the qualities of one place with the features of a complitely different one, I was suggested by a friend to meet my actual roommate and visit this wonderful house in Saint Margaret Street. Well, tired of looking for more apartments and almost “homeless”, I decided to move in.

Now I wished I would have had at least one more week to look around a little bit more and find a room in a better and more comfortable location, so, in my experience, the best suggestion I can give, and I wish I could have followed one month ago, is don’t be in hurry and don’t be eager to rent an apartment without evaluating all the advantages and disadvantages of living there, but simply take your time in order to find the best accomodation ever.

Knowing my way around the city October 14, 2010

The first step when you move to a new city where you are going to live and study for a year is to know it.

Boston is one of America’s oldest city and the biggest cultural and economic hub of New England, it is home to nearly 590,000 residents, many world-class educational istitutions and numerous sport and cultural organizations. Despite its dimention it can be easily and clearly distinguished and defined by its neighborhoods, each one of them has its own personality and distinct appeal that celebrate cultures from all over the world.

Downtown is the dynamic Boston’s center of business and government surrounded by the green of the Boston Common and the Public  Garden that naurally decorate this wonderful area. It is also a sanctuary for shoppers that can find large stores such as Macy’s, a collection of historic sites such as Faneuill Hall and the headquarters of Suffolk University.

The Public Garden

 

Chinatown is located between the city’s Financial District and Theater District and is one of the most densily populated neighborhoods in Boston characterized by a collection of Asian restaurants and backeries.

North End, also know as Boston’s Little Italy is one of the most historic neighborhoods of Boston where immigrants first stopped. Here people can sample Italian cusine and enjoy typical Italian pastries such as cannoli or sfogliatelle (loster tails) drinking an hot original cappuccino. From here people can walk through the Christopher Culumbus Park and access to Boston’s waterfront along Commercial Street.

Christopher Columbus Park

West End, known for the Massachusetts General Hospital, is a small urban community behind Beacon Hill, the area that reflects the old colonial Boston and also home to the Massachusetts State House and America’s first African Meeting House. Charles Street, the popular street of this neighborhood is lined with antique shops and restaurants.

Back Bay is the trendy and fashion area of Boston where all unique shops, cozy boutiques, fashionable restaurants and vintage homes are located. Newbury Street, Boylston Street and Commonwealth Avenue, Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library make this neighborhood one of the most desirable and attractive of Boston. It is immediately visible and recognizable because it houses the two tallest members of Boston’s skyline: the Prudential Center and the Hancock Tower.

Bay Village is one of the smallest neighborhood in Boston and is also known as the Church Street District, South Cove and Kerry Village. It is a culturally-rich area with the Theater District and many other cultural attractions.

South End, located just minutes from downtown and the Back Bay, in recent years it has become one of Boston’s most popular neighborhoods. Tremont Street, Columbus Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue house some of Boston’s finest restaurants, a thriving arts community and nearly 30 parks.

South Boston, where I live, is a predominantly Irish Catholic community. People from all over the city enjoy taking a stroll around Castle Island. Already home to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is a lovely and quiet neighborhood.

Castle Island

 

Fenway Kenmore, popular and recognized as the home of Fenway Park and the Boston Red Sox, it also hosts many of the City’s top cultural institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall. The Fenway is another central thoroughfare that encircles the Back Bay Fens, the neighborhood’s preeminent green space, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead.

Allston is best known for its student population due to its proximity to many colleges and universities. Harvard Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue and Brighton Avenue host many ethnic restaurants and a mix of diverse people. Next to Allston we find Brighton, known for its tranquil yet dynamic atmospere, is located in the northwest corner of Boston, on the shores of the Charles River. Many of Brighton’s small businesses are located along Washington Street, which runs straight through Brighton Center to Oak Square.

East Boston has always been a neighborhood of immigrants, whose diversity is reflected in the neighborhood’s myriad of ethnic restaurants. Logan Airport, is located here, making East Boston a gateway to people from around the world. Located across Boston Harbor, East Boston residents enjoy fantastic waterfront views of the city skyline.

Charlestown is situated along the Mystic River on the north side of the city. It is the home to the U.S.S. Constitution, the Bunker Hill Monument and the Navy Yard. At the opposite site of this neighborhood we find Mission Hill, maily populated by Hispanics and African-Americans; Jamaica Plain, a classic “streetcar suburb” evolved around the Jamaica Pond home to many Latinos and Spanish-speaking populations; Roxbury, the heart of Black culture in Boston; Dorchester, the Boston’s largest neighborhood home of the Vietnamese community; Mattapan, which population is today largely made up of African Americans and immigrants from the Caribbean; Roslindale, the ”garden suburb” of Boston famous for the Arnold Arboretum, a 265-acre oasis; West Roxbury, Boston’s southwest corner known for its civic activism and youth programming; and Hyde Park,Boston’s southernmost neighborhood through which runs the historic Neponset River.

Once you geoghapically know the map your new city you can more easily find your way. So now I almost perfectly know Boston and can avoid to get lost everytime I set my foot outside.

 

Hello world! October 13, 2010

25th August 2010 – Arrival in Boston

I have created this blog to write about my experience in a new University, new City, new Country.

It is more that a month since I left Italy and my family to start a new amazing life abroad. Here I am to describe the beauty of the city of Boston, the joys and the difficulties of living alone, the new people I meet everyday and the wonderful places I visit.

Honestly when I first decided to change my life and fly to the opposite site of my Home (Boston is exactly 3818,529 miles far from Italy) I couldn’t realize how hard could it be at the beginning being alone far from all your friends and parents. However after two weeks, also thanks to the orientation at Suffolk University, I started meeting new friends, getting know places around me and getting used to what is going be my new home for one year.

This blog gives me the opportunity to build an immaginary bridge from Boston to Milan and vice versa, sharing my feelings, thoughts and my new experience with all my friends who live far from me, with all my family that can always be informed of what I do and how I live here and with all the new people I’ve met and I’m going to meet!

So hello Boston, hello world…here I am!