Boston
The next morning I set off for Harvard and its museums – fortunately they were at the other end of my metro line, so easy to get to. I walked past some of the colleges and noticed marquees which made me think of balls and happy times as a student.
I enjoyed the Harvard Art museum, where 3 collections have been combined and I also popped into the Natural History museum to admire the renowned collection of glass flowers which are technically amazing. It was easy to whizz back to central Boston to enjoy the common, Apparently the oldest public park in the USA situated in the centre of the city. It was a Sunday and it was packed. I also visited Trinity church nearby and I discovered Arlington street church with lovely Tiffany stained glass windows. I had time to wonder down to the Charles river, but it is very difficult to access, and to climb Beacon Hill which has narrow street and picturesque historic homes.
On my second day I set off for the Arnold Arboretum and spent a long time there, especially admiring the lilacs and horse chestnut collection. I tore myself away, deciding to come back later for a further visit, and rushed off to the Boston Museum of Fine Art and the Isabella Stewart Gardner collection. I particularly enjoyed the former of these. They have a fine collection, especially of impressionists. The Gardner collection which is housed in a Venetian style palace which she had built was very crowded and I found it difficult to appreciate the art. It is also poorly lit. The building with its inner courtyard was fun. I hope she remained happy there as her portrait indicates an interesting person.
My Last Train Trip
Early next morning, I caught my 12th and last train back to New York. This was a fast commuter train which hugged the coast line and we had frequent glimpses of Rhode Island and Connecticut coastal resorts where the rich have holiday homes and boats moored. We arrived back at Penn station at lunchtime and sadly my romtomtallie was at an end.
Farewell to New York
To make the most of my last afternoon I hoisted my pack and set off to walk to MOMA for my last art infusion. I admired 5th Ave buildings and photographed my all time favourite, the Chrysler building.
MOMA was packed and one could not get anywhere close to some of the paintings. van Gogh’s starry night in particular had a special guard assigned to it to keep the tourists having their pictures’ taken beside it the requisite distance away. No one seemed to be looking at the painting itself. Once again much of their collection is in storage and much space given to contemporary current exhibits. I was a bit disappointed by the experience, but I had enjoyed so much art on my trip, I was perhaps a bit “museumed-out”.
I rather unwisely decided to visit Grand central station which I remembered as rather magnificent. Magnificent it is, but not somewhere to venture at rush hour, I was almost mown down. I did have some supper in their food hall admiring the special units designed for fresh growing salad ingredients while enjoying my last chicken wrap. Then I retreated to the metro to find my train to Brooklyn for my last night in the US.
Early next morning I was headed back to JFK using the subway to Jamaica again and the airtrain and got there in good time for my Emirates flight at 11.20 and so home.
I had great trip and when people ask what I thought of America I go a bit blank. It is difficult to sum up so diverse a place in a few sentences, but I have noted some impressions.
Boston & farewell New York
