Saturday, May 11, 2013
We were able to shake off the sadness in the streets and celebrate our anniversary in high style at the Fairmont. It’s an easy place to forget the worries of the world and escape into pampered luxury. The lobby was always busy and at night the ballrooms were full of men wearing tuxedos and women in beautiful long gowns.
Lobby of the Fairmont Copley Plaza
After a delicious continental breakfast in The Lounge, we decided to take public transportation to the Museum of Fine Arts. A “Charlie Ticket” is the reusable transportation card in Boston. It reminded me of the song, Charlie on the MTA which the Kingston Trio made famous in 1959 about a man who didn’t have enough money to pay the “exit fare” and was stuck on the train:
Did he ever return? No he never returned, And his fate is still unlearned. He may ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston. He’s the man who never returned…..
Purchasing Subway “T” Tickets
There actually was an MTA employee at the station (in shorts in the photo above) who was there to help tourists buy tickets for the subway. He told us the original words of the song had been composed in 1949 for a Boston mayoral candidate and the Kingston Trio changed the words a bit.
MBTA Subway Cars
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority or “The T” began in 1896 and is one of the oldest subway systems in the United States. The cars resemble double buses attached together. They run underground as well as above-ground like trolley cars with overhead wires.
The Museum of Fine Arts
One of our main reasons to go to Boston was to visit the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. I have to admit that we’re museum and library people and we love to “collect” museums around the world. The MFA is a world class museum with many wonderful artifacts and amazing works of art.
Samurai Sword Demonstration
As part of a special exhibit of Samurai warriors, there were martial arts demonstrations and a talk about making Samurai swords.
Family Snack
The museum has a good collection of European impressionist art and a wonderful collection of John Singer Sargent paintings. A new contemporary art wing has been added since our last visit several years ago.
In a Gallery
Rest
It is impossible to see everything in the MFA in one day, so we saved some art for another visit in the near future. It was a good day!