Howdy Friends!
Summer is finally here! For those of us that live in sunny states, summer has been upon us for a while now. We still have it much cooler here in Texas than my birth state of Arizona. Since homeschool days, summer has been a time of travel, slower pace of life and exploration with family and friends. This summer is no different. Our destination is a favorite city for learning and exploration. You will see why in this post :).
My husband oversees the food safety and environmental sanitation for forty-two locations for a global company in the airline industry. The company ensures that foods served on airplanes are prepared with the utmost sanitation required, meeting allergen, pests, microbiological and federal regulations. Anytime I order food on a flight, I am reminded to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for my husband, his team and entire company. A lot of work goes into the finished foods served on airplanes; since its not the best place to have food related illnesses. On a recent visit to one of their U.S. locations, our youngest daughter from San Francisco and I tagged along with my husband. Combining work and play, our daughter planned a detailed itinerary for us to enjoy the historical city of Boston, Massachusetts.
There is a rich history that permeates one of the oldest cities in America. Puritan settlers from England founded Boston, in the 1600s. Think back to American history and the events that occurred and shaped America, as we know it. From the American Revolution, to the Boston Tea Party to the Battle of Bunker Hill, these all happened in Boston. Understanding the key elements of history is important in appreciating the present, heritage and the unique contributions of all people. Four of the highlights of our Boston exploration are the Walk in History tour, Black Heritage Trail tour, Boston Tea Party tour and Fenway Park tour.
Walk in History Tour: Our tour guide was a graduate student passionate about history. Born in California, he moved to Boston in other to be immersed in history. With about 30 people from different parts of the world in our group (there were tourists from England and Australia), we visited the Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel, Old State House, Site of the Boston Massacre and Faneuil Hall. One major stand out of this tour is knowing the different contributors to these historical stops and the “why” behind the life they lived. It summed up the statement: “Never underestimate the difference you can make”.
Black Heritage Trail Tour: Our tour guide was a young woman who knew comparative history and its implications. This young lady understood how the historical contexts affected the cultural and political contexts of then and now. Our group of 17 people visited the fourteen sites that made up the history of African Americans in the 19th century in Boston. Beginning from the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial on Beacon Street through the Beacon Hill community, we explored the contribution of people like Frederick Douglas, William Garrison and Robert Morris who were abolitionists. One major stand out is the African Meeting House, which is the oldest black church in America. It summed up the statement: “It takes a great deal of courage to stand for what is right”.
Boston Tea Party Tour: Discovery is one of the best ways of learning. It allows the use of both cognitive and creative methodologies in learning. Our tour group enjoyed the reenactment of one of America’s historical events leading up to the American Revolution. Reliving the moments surrounding the Boston Tea Party and why the Sons of Liberty protested was not only exciting but also empowering. This is one of the reasons why I am a proponent of the discovery-by learning approach. This approach brings concepts to live in a way that traditional methods do not. The entire reenactment was a stand out. It summed up the statement: “More is discovered during play than in conversation”.
Fenway Park Tour: Whether you are a baseball fan or not, Fenway Park has something to relate to. Known as America’s most loved ballpark, Fenway Park tour provided some insights. First insight is that of a visionary and the process of making the vision a reality. Next is the ideology of leveraging unique strengths into a unified tribe where meeting same goal is more important than having each player display their individual strengths. One major stand out is the lone red seat in the right field bleachers that designates the longest home run ever hit at Fenway. It summed up the statement: “Unity is strength”.
I am looking forward to sharing part two of our summer travel next month. Wherever your summer takes you this year, be sure to enjoy your time and stay cool. Below are some photos of our exploration of Boston’s historical sites for your enjoyment. Love & Blessings!!
“For the Lord preserves the faithful” (Psalm 31:23)
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