We caught the Metro to Harvard this morning and took their walking tour, run by students. Jake, about to begin his final year studying English as his Major, lived up to his Minor, Drama.
To gain a sense of the history of this esteemed institution, it was established way before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
He had the strange habit of walking backwards throughout the tour, to "engage" with us. But he was bright and cheerful and full of facts about Harvard, from historical to interesting to downright quirky.
This statue purports to be of Mr. Harvard, the founder, but the inscription contains three lies. The year is incorrect, it was founded in 1636, he was NOT the founder, he donated books and land, and this is not his likeness, as there was no record of his appearance.
Whilst I found Cambridge and Oxford Universities more impressive and their grounds certainly better kept, with immaculate lawns you were forbidden to step on, there is still a grandeur and sense of history here. Lots of buildings, of various ages, like this one that now houses the Dean's offices, with student accommodation only on the top floor. These students are chosen for their quiet habits. The two creators of "The Simpsons" met here and only lasted one week in the building before being rehoused elsewhere due to their loud partying.
97% of Harvard students live on campus. Contrary to my belief that students leave with crippling debt, Jake claimed there is a system of evaluating what you can afford, plus most students have an on campus job, so he will finish with no debt. Then of course, once they have their diploma, they can enter graduate school, like for medicine, which may be another circumstance entirely. Between 35,000 and 40,000 apply to enter Harvard each year; 2,000 are chosen and around 1,700 actually commence.
There are 7,000 students in the under graduate program and then around 14,000 in the various Graduate courses.
Harvard is full of shops, businesses and, of course, drinking establishments. But I loved this store: the world's only CURIOUS GEORGE store.
It was back onto the Metro and out to Kenmore Station, to tour the famed Fenway Park, home to the baseball team, the Boston Red Sox. We sensed the rivalry with the New York Yankees, originally called The Highlanders.
Five great sportsmen, outside the ground.
Fenway is the oldest ball park in the USA and plans made to rebuild in another location were defeated by fans keen to retain their beloved stadium.
There are rows and rows of setae, yet the place only setae around 35,000 fans.
Here is Robert in the press box for the written press. Writers are allocated a seat in strict order of senority. Our tour guide said it is the largest baseball press box, bar one, that of their rivals the New York Yankees, which only beats them by one seat.
These are considered the best seats in the house, above the Green Monster wall. Patrons have to be especially valiant during batting practice. Prices for the seats vary according to various factors, like the weather, popularity of the game, etc.. They start at about $150 per seat and if your email address is selected, you have the opportunity of purchasing up to four seats.
It was explained there is a real push for urban gardening and this, perched high up, is Fenway Farm, rows of various herbs and vegetables, used in the various eateries here. They aim to harvest 4,000 lb. of produce this season, and are up to 3,700 lbs so far.
This lonely red seat, high up in the bleachers, records the spot where the longest home run was ever hit, travelling over 500 feet to hit a man on the head that had fallen asleep. Apparently he was unhurt.
So we are back in the hotel now. We have two tours booked, one for tomorrow and one for Saturday, plus we intend to take the 90 minute walking tour of the red line Freedom Trail at six this evening.
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