America Trip 2015 – Chiaroscuro

Day 14

Alaine Thompson on July 10, 2015July 31, 2015

Oh, Chicago, I think I’m in love… Not only is the public transport around here quick, easy, stylish, sensible and cool-looking with a nice view taboot, it’s also one of the most stunning cities i’ve ever had the opportunity to be enchanted by.

Just standing in the middle of the River Walk, and on the top of all the bridges, you are simply overcome by the beauty and majesty of the cityscape combining with the river and the lake in stunning detail. The architecture and planning around the Chicago River and Lake Michigan is so well done and thought out, that a unique beauty and grandness becomes instantly apparent. Chicago is definitely a unique city.

(FYI, the Trump building is a real eye sore and was illegal originally, due to its huge height originally planning to be taller than the tallest building in Chicago (which wasn’t allowed), but in true Chicago tradition, Trump apparently bribed a few officials by paying for the restoration of a nearby bridge and placing two new parks near his building as well as a dog park somewhere in the vicinity. The Wriggly building (that’s right, the giant lolly and bubblegum company) is the beautiful art deco piece in the centre)

That morning we went on a river cruise with an architect from the Chicago architecture foundation as our tour guide.

The irritating, but kind of nice example of post-modernist architecture, the Trump building again. And the stunningly beautiful Wriggly building.

Marina City. Designed by Bertrand Goldberg, completed in 1964. I would argue that the style is futurist (at least in terms of the 60’s), but Goldberg himself called his style of design Modernist during his time. There is much conjecture about the style in which this building is made, there are many sound arguments for many different styles, so the structure remains quite ambiguos as to to its style.

Another great example or three of post-modernist architecture.

The wheel house of the bridge. This one in particular is actually a museum in which people can enter to see the inner workings of the bridge mechanisms.

Some more post-modernism. This one in particular reflects the river it borders through its curved design.

An old rail bridge no longer in use that remains up all year round until once a year when they have to lower it and use it to maintain the right of way over that particular rail line, otherwise the rights revert back to the government.

Triangular houses.

A park.

Goose Island

The Civic Opera Building.

A post-modernist building with a map of the Chicago River painted down its side.

The Sears (now Willis) Tower.

River City, also by Bertrand Goldberg. His style is very intriguing.

This building is built right on the beach, which is illegal now, but it was built before the law was passed so it snuck in under the radar. Apparently bribery helps as well.

The old naval pier now turned into a fair ground.

Dad found this butterfly, apparently it’s rare to see butterflies like this with their wings open. Also, very different to the kinds we get back home.

Why it’s called the ‘windy city’ (because of all the hot air blowing out of the businessman’s mouths, or so they say).

Where we had lunch. Yep, that place with the umbrellas underneath Marina City. The servers were so refreshingly rude. It was a nice change of pace.

A cool sculpture just in the middle of nowhere (or possibly in front of an art museum).

This is the Chicago Market.

And this is a sculpture in the middle of Chicago Market by Picasso. No one knows what it is. Neither did Picasso.

The view from the bar at the Holiday Inn.

Chicago is an amazing place. As you can clearly see by just how many photos I’ve taken of the architecture.

Day 13

Alaine Thompson on July 8, 2015July 10, 2015

Our last day in Boston before moving onto Chicago. We went down Charles street to check out the antique shops for a souvenir for my brother Matt, but found that all of them were closed.

Except for one.

There were so many amazing things in there, especially china vases and plates. Even some beer steins.

A sign for the Boston Pops/4th of July fireworks celebration we encountered the other day.

The shell, where the Boston Pops play.

The Harbour and the surrounding park land is really quite peaceful. We sat for a while and watched the boats before leaving for Logan Airport.

This was a really cool statue of Arthur Fiedler, the most popular conductor of the Boston orchestra who created the popularisation of orchestral music in the Boston area, leading to what is now known as the Boston Pops. The statue is made from multiple sheets of metal of varying thickness and sizes.

Logan Airport, waiting for our flight. The stuff up with United Airlines’ systems didn’t effect us as much as the news stations would have had us believe, luckily, and we were on our way to Chicago pretty quickly.

After a surprisingly quick flight, thanks to Sylvia Plath and her igenious writing skills (I’m currently reading ‘The Bell Jar’, and it’s incredible), we were at O’Hare Airport, which is huge. The train system in Chicago is amazing and runs right to the airport. Melbourne really needs to get its act into gear and build something like this, because this is just awesome.

We soon arrived at our apartment, which is huge! It’s two floors and I finally have my own room with a double bed again. After the crammed apartment we had in Boston, this is a nice, refreshing change.

We went to a local restaurant for dinner, a Polish restaurant since Matt is going to Krakow on exchange later in the year, and it was really cool if not like being served by your best friends grandma, so you really didn’t want to dissappoint. Mum wanted to take some photos, but thought that the old Polish lady would takee offense, that’s what the atmosphere was like. The tables were covered in floral patterns and lace and then coated in plastic and the wholee place was littered with decorations of their native country, Poland. It was an amazing place to eat, with really great food and atmosphere. Definitely the type of unique and homely cooking you can only get from this kind of obscure neighbourhood. So far, loving it.

Day 12

Alaine Thompson on July 7, 2015July 10, 2015

Boston Harbour, on our way to George’s Island. The Boston Harbour has 27 islands situated within it, and today we are visiting one right on the edge that used to be a fort during the 1800’s (mainly).

A plane flying over from Logan Airport.

One of the islands is Long Island. And apparently there is a Thompson Island in there somewhere…

The very manicured, George’s Island.

A strange seagull.

The shore.

Where the guns used to be.

An old cannon.

There are clearly a lot of Supernatural fans around here…

Some spooky tunnels.

The lime leached so much through the stone it actually created stalectities.

The view on the way back.

Boston definitely is a very beautiful place.

Day 11

Alaine Thompson on July 6, 2015July 10, 2015

In the morning mum and I set off to Nordstrom Rack to find some discount jackets. This is our bounty:

Seriously, they were so cheap for such nice jackets!

Being our lazy Boston selves, we sat around watching Netflix and doing nothing until my brother Matt and his friend Sam (who also happened to be in Boston) got back from their brewery tour. We took the train to Alewife. Alewife. What a strange and historic place Boston must be to have a place called ‘Alewife’. Apparently it is named after a fish which was in turn named after women in medieval England who made ale.

Anyway, we got off at Harvard to go and look for ourselves at the prestigious campus.

This, is Harvard.

(Apparently if you touch this guys shoe, he bestows you with infinite brain power and smarts. Also, apparently some of the people who attend Harvard play a drinking game in which they see who can pee on the staues foot first. Oh, those lucky tourists.)

All these old buildings may ooze history and authority, but the campus itself doesn’t really ooze airconditioning (and Boston gets humid!). To be honest, I feel institutions like Harvard are out-dated and are lasting only in name and the types of people that name still draws in. Younger institutuions are growing.

And this, is Harvard Square. A very nice place that reminds me of a quaint little village (wow, I’m using the word quaint a lot for Boston, aren’t I?).

After a good dinner in Harvard Square, we went to Mike’s Pastry, not only because they have the same name as my dad (he actually asked if he could get a discount, like he does at every pastry shop. That was a really bad pun…). But in all seriousness, they have the best canollis and macaroons around.

The food here is seriously amazing, as are the buildings and the history. It feels like the whole city is stuck in the 80’s (the 1980’s, not the 1880’s, which gives a really nice pace and vibe to the city).

Day 10

Alaine Thompson on July 5, 2015July 10, 2015

Boston Public Garden. This place is very quaint and beautiful, and reminds me very much of old nursery rhymes. There’s even peddle powered swan boats and a statue of a paddling of ducks (this is technically the plural for ducks while their swimming, but I don’t care! Like I’m going to call a cute group of ducks a raft…).

The smallest suspension bridge apparently…

It’s surprisingly well manicured, like most parks I’ve been to here in America.

Another paddling of ducks!

A statue of George Washington (these are everywhere apparently, even where there is no historical significance, which is rare in Boston. Seriously, they say you can throw a dead rat and it’ll probably land on something historic).

A pretty church.

Boston Public Library. Thse chandelier things were crazy!

That church again…

After having lunch at Wagamama, we wandered our way up to the top of the Hub, to the observation deck and we got the best views of Boston.

Fenway Park. The Red Sox were actually playing the Houston Astros while were up there.

On the way home we went back via Newbury Street, where all the shops are in the fronts of old houses. As you can see, this is where all of the designers live.

Including Vera Wang Bridal.

Boston is so layed back, it’s really nice. But the more time I spend here, the more time I waste watching Naruto and other TV shows on the American version of Netflix, instead of blogging…

Day 9

Alaine Thompson on July 4, 2015July 10, 2015

Independence Day. The day we’d all been waiting for, for the crowds, the fireworks and of course the seafood. Why seafood? Because it’s Boston, and Legal Seafood is everywhere. They have the best seafood around and they aren’t overtly expensive. However, me being a vegetarian (who doesn’t mind being a pescatarian every now and then) decided to opt out of the seafood and go for the only vegetarian dish on the menu. Big mistake for someone who doesn’t like chili very much! I asked the server if she thought it was too hot or not, and she said it wasn’t hot at all. I get the dish and I can barely eat any of it. Just proves how different America and Australia are in terms of heat in their foods. At least when it comes to vegetarian food. Seriously, everything I’ve eaten here has had some form of chili in it, because they think it would be too bland for me otherwise. They obviously don’t know many vegetarians. I’d be happy with rabbit food.

Anyway, enough ranting about the dinner (I jumped straight to dinner, because seriously, we did nothing all day, except walk along the harbour, which was actually very pretty). We walked along Longfellow Bridge to get to Cambridge for a good view of the fireworks (and to get to our booking of Legal Seafoods).

The crowds at Cambridge were crazy! At the end of the night there was an ambulance, which was surprising. Given the crowds I would’ve expected more casualties.

There was a blimp floating around with a giant eye on it, staring down at everyone. Funnily enough, it was advertising Hendricks Gin (the only gin made and served with cucumber).

After a lot of waiting and listening to the Boston Pops (the popular orchestra, whioch was actually pretty cool) and a lot of teases with the fireworks, the showfinally started at 10:35 and then proceeded to go for 25 minutes straight. There was music as well, but the only time the fireworks went in time was when they played ‘ode de triumph’ and ‘beautiful world’, which was actually pretty cool. They also had a lot of star shaped, smiley faces, love hearts, and USA shaped fireworks at varying points throughout (although the USA ones only happened twice). It had its moments, but overall the show wasn’t as ‘spectacular’ or as well thought out as we were expecting. I mean, you could at least theme and launch the fireworks to each respective song.

Anyway, PRETTY FIREWORKS!

I couldn’t hear the next day and I had pain in my ears for a while. It was worth it… sort of. The experience was definitely different and more hyped up/extravagent than back home. They actually said that the fireworks presentation would be “brought to you without commercial break”. In what circumstances would there be a commercial break?! It’s freaking fireworks!

Day 8

Alaine Thompson on July 3, 2015July 7, 2015

The Freedom Trail. Proving that Boston is probabaly the most historically patriotic place in America, and that this city is the best place to be for the 4th of July celebrations. Today was also probably one of the worst days to do the Freedom Trail, as pretty much everyone else was too, as it is a pilgrimage of sorts here.

Anyway, this is the beautiful old State House. Originally designed by Charles Bulfinch, the dome was first made from wood, themn coated in copper by Paul Revere and then finally coated in 23-karat gold leaf in 1874. The original tennants were John Hancock’s cows. The building is now used today, like Melbourne’s parliament house is.

The Boston Common. I wish we had commons, that is parks in the center of a specific area, as opposed to on the outskirts. They provide fantastic views. The Boston Common is also America’s oldest public park.

The streets of Boston.

Old City Hall. Now a Steak House!

The old South Meeting House. Where protesters gathered to rally against the English rule (the Boston Tea Party for example).

Boston architecture. The amount of copper around here is just beautiful.

The old State House. This building housed the colony’s government.

Around Quincy Market.

A very non-descript building with a LOT of American flags hanging from the facade, had this in the window.

Rose F. kennedy Park, named after JFK’s mother.

The Paul Revere House. The biggest and most intact colonial house, it was built around 1680.

Lunch! We ate at Gennaro’s in North Square (right next to Paul Revere’s House). I had vegan ravioli with antipasto. It was beautiful! Highly recommend.

Boston has some very pretty streets.

This church stuck out so much mum thought it was the one used to signal the rebels, “one if by land, two if by sea.” Turns out, it was the next block over. But it looks nice, and there was a pretty interesting looking pharmacy on the corner. What is with that old timey mortar and pestle?

This is the correct church spire. With the statue and everything.

And also, Boston has corner buildings as well. I guess they’re more a form of architecture unique to America more so than just New York. That being said though, this type of building is very common in New York.

Boston Harbour.

Charlestown. Filled with quaint little houses.

Beacon Hill monument. Which funnily enough is actually on Breeds Hill. The leader of the rebels was supposed to fortify Bunker Hill, but instead decided to fortify Breeds Hill.

The USS Constitution (and museum). A very old, very cool, copper plated (at least on the base) old American navy vessel. Inside the museum you had the option to carve your name onto a copper plate that would go onto the new hull of the ship. My dad engraved it with ‘The Thompsons’. Take from that what you will.

And finally, I thought I’d share this image I captured on the way home of a statue outside the ice skating stadium.

Being in Boston, seeing the sheer number of American flags, and completing most of the Freedom Trail, I can really understand how Captain America (or at least the actor who portrays him) comes from here. This is a very partiotic place. So partiotic we’ve already seen a great deal of people in reanactment costumes. That being said though, it is a lot like home and a really nice place to be. The whole town is just seeping with history.

Day 7

Alaine Thompson on July 2, 2015July 10, 2015

Our last day in new York and we rush out of the beautiful and artsy apartment straight to the train station without even a proper goodbye…

I’ll miss New York, there’s definitely a unique quality that comes with the pace and bustle and life that is NYC. Although, I definitely won’t miss all of the loud noises and pushy people.

Onward to Boston we go!

Beantown, as it is affectionately called for some reason (I mean, Chicago is the one with the bean sculpture, right?).

Beacon Hill, where we are now staying. Basically, a great big hill to walk up.

There are a lot of streets named after nuts here. there’s even a macadamia street. I’d like to say that sounds fishy, but it’s not really the right food group…

Our street. Our apartment is a very strange one. Not only does it seem to be a smoking allowed building, but the floor is slanted in places and has a very quaint, colonial-esque decor. It’s also a 3rd floor walk-up, which after walking up the huge hill that is Beacon Hill, can be quite the trial…

I have to admit, it is really nice to be in Boston. The city itself, its sprawl and just general pace seems to be more like home. Even the temperature is more like home, as New York was just a little too humid for my liking. The next week should prove to be interesting to say the least, especially since I discovered we now have access to American Netflix.

Day 6

Alaine Thompson on July 1, 2015July 4, 2015

The Natural History Museum. Not like it is in Night at the Museum unfortunately.

But still tonnes of dinosaurs.

We went through all of the dinosaur rooms from the T-Rex.

To something like a bird.

To an actual Pterosaur.

And some awesome giant turtle things.

This one just looks really aggravated.

This one is legitimately a cross between a frog and a lizard.

And this one is a fish that gave live birth from a sack outside of its body.

Giant armoured fish. Most likely very stupid creatures that enjoyed ramming into each other.

And then we got to the mammals. This isn’t actually a mammoth, it’s a Mastodon. But still pretty awesome.

All the mammals in this area remind me of Ice Age…

This one reminds me of an animated old lady, complete with a crocheted hat. Pixar style of course.

And back to the dinosaurs! This time it’s everyones favourite, the Triceratops.

These were so cute I just had to take a picture.

Stegasaurus.

The giant Blue Whale.

And then we went to the origins of humanity exhibit, which besides being out of date and pretty much all conjecture, it really amazed me how selfish and self-posessed the human race is that in our constant search for meaning and purpose, we not only fail to live in the moment, but in the present, as we search for meaning in the past as well. But if this trip has taught me anything it’s that humans are humans, and we have been for millenia, we may all have underlying differences and unique qualities, but the same qualities and drives are what make us human. It’s only our technology and general aptitude for information that constantly adapts and changes with each generation.

But seriously, there is an entire room dedicated to how the homo sapien came about, most of which is conjecture. I doubt any other specific species gets that kind of treatment.

One thing I did find interesting about the human exhibit was the art section.

(A horse)

(early European carvings of women).

The entrance and the Theodore Roosevelt statue.

My first incredibly salty New York pretzel.

And finally, Central Park.

In the midst of an algae bloom.

Unfortunately the bow bridge was under construction, so we didn’t get to complete that film pilgramige. But, in classic tourist fashion, in the midst of our disgust that the bridge was out of commission, and while attempting to get a good photo, we accidentally interrupted a proposal. Luckily she had already said yes before we started blabbering pointless nonsense.

Bethesda Terrace, featured in countless TV shows, including Doctor Who (hint: there’s an angel on the top of the fountain), and films…

Such as the Chinese one that was actually filming while we were there. Like I said before, New York is filled with film crews.

Also, Avengers:

Definitely, Maybe:

My new background image:

Day 5

Alaine Thompson on June 30, 2015July 2, 2015

Battery Park, the gateway to the Statue of Liberty.

Miss New York, the vessel.

And, Lady Liberty herself. Today is probably the most tourist-ey day we’ve had this whole trip.

The internal structure of the statue, made by monsieur Eiffel.

The view.

The way up to the crown. Only 50 allowed up a day.

The lowest level of the pedestal, great views of the lady in copper.

The original torch that was replaced due to leaks casuing deterioration to the copper.

The trip back on the Miss New Jersey.

After returning after about 2 hours (and WAY too many steps), we decided to split up and go shopping, mum and I going to Barnes and Noble, Forever 21 and a vegan bakery. We binged on cakes before having a rushed dinner and heading off on the subway to our discount broadway show – Hedwig and the Angry Inch, starring Darren Criss.

It was an amazing show. The songs were incredible (so much so we bought the soundtrack), the characterisation was amazing, it was all through the 4th wall, which was a nice change of pace and really allowed for the reality of the story to kick in. The lighting and set design is also used masterfully. I don’t think I stopped smiling the entire show. There were also some very interesting ‘punk’ and ‘rock’ gestures at and towards the audience, such as spitting, jirating and licking, which was fantastic and made me grateful that I wasn’t in the orchestra area. A brilliantly written and characterised show. Darren Criss was amazing, and the adlibbing was awesome. I actually bought the script and a poster as well, which was pretty cool to see from a show, selling the script that is. Another thing that’s great about Broadway – the playbills are free.

Today was probably the day that I felt most at home and like a New Yorker, like I’d been absorbed into the city somehow. The longer I’m here the better and more excited I feel. It’s surprisingly exhilirating and scary at the same time.

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