Our group chose to experience the historical and exciting North End for our walk-about. After we got off at the Haymarket T-stop on a cold, rainy Boston day, we first walked the streets of the surrounding neighborhood before heading to the Old North Church. This notable church is located where the famous phrase "One if by land, and two if by sea" signal by Paul Revere was sent during his midnight ride before the Battles of Lexington and Concord. I was surprised that the church was still decently maintained, even though it was built in 1723 and still being used today. It is the currently the oldest active church in Boston. We turned the corner and right in front of the church was the Paul Revere statue standing high and tall commemorating his memorable ride during the American Revolution. It is claimed to be one of the most photographed sculptures in Boston, which the bronze statue took 16 years to create and 40 years to install in its place. I have always heard about Boston having the feel of New York but with older architecture and history, but I never realized how much history Boston actually possesses right in the heart of the city. I spent weeks and weeks learning about the American Revolution during junior year in US History back in Houston, so being able to see the historical landmarks was quite remarkable. I couldn’t get over the fact that I was walking on almost the exact same land Paul Revere stepped on almost 300 years ago.
We then walked downhill and ended up at the Waterfront, home of Boston’s Harbor Walk. The harbor had a horizon full of all different kinds of boats floating on top of the water. The full waterfront trails three miles from Charleston all the way to Dorchester, but we only had a glimpse of what the harbor had to offer. This was the exact location of where the Boston Tea Party occurred on December 16, 1773, an event that changed and impacted how the British viewed us and was one of the biggest social turning points during the American Revolution. It was a strong resistance to the Tea Act, where the British Parliament put a tax on excess tea they wanted to sell to the colonists. When Kevin and Stephanie were telling us about the Boston Tea Party occurring only couple steps from where we were standing, I pictured the rowdy and rambunctious Samuel Adams along with 50 other men shouting while dumping and throwing all the tea into the harbor.
Lastly, how could we not end our wonderful journey of the North End, by not going to the uttermost famous Mike’s Pastry? Still before rush hour, we quickly beat the long massive crowd and got our delicious cannolis. I ordered the pistachio cannoli and the moment my teeth sunk into the crunchy outer shell into the ricotta cheese, I was in heaven. It was a great way to end a wonderful walkabout.