Pan Admun Republic of Western Blog

How often you see me holding so many flowers?

Just came back from Chelmsford yesterday morning, but than I'm going to Calgary for vacation and a wedding this afternoon.

I was just back on time to catch the Harry Connick, Jr show in Ottawa Jazz Festival. He's the first Jazz guy I listen to after I came to Canada, my secondary school pal Mike got me hooked to his songs. I like his music arrangement, as well as his deep sexy voice. The show was great. This is the first time I saw Harry on stage, he performed many songs from last year's Only You and did some pieces with a few excellent forks from New Orleans. It's wonderful. One thing I noticed is Harry's thick Southern US accent, which I did not realized when listen to his songs. He certainly is a cool and humor character, and he's only 37!

Alberta is having a lot of flooding, and I certainly it impacts my touring plan. I think Drumheller is out of the list, and I got to make sure I don't go up the mountain for white water rifting.... maybe I should make sure to stay on the high ground.

Also, I will likely be go back to my old university for a visit to a friend, so maybe I will run into pig in UofC? hehehe

The week's work start gets a bit busy, as I have to work on Sat. Me and Chester decided to check out somewhere near by on Sunday. The guy in the hotel registration suggested we go to Lexington. So, we hit Leington.

Lexington is a battle ground in the independance war, British came out of Boston to disarm the rebels. The first shoot of the war goes off here when the red coats confront the militia, few got killed and all. The British march on into the next town called Concord, and they got beating up and retreated back to Boston. The Rebels take one for the first round.

Lexington and the surrounding area is now a national park, which is nice to drive though. There is a bike path and some trails in the area. I was thinking I should drag my rollarblade down next time comig down for a blade there.

The day ends with some ok Thai food in Lexington before return to the hotel.

Chilling Out in Lexington

So I decided to go solo to Boston on Sunday for a walk around and sight-seeing. I always enjoy just walking around the city and see all the neigherhoods, that's my prefer way to see a city. I've done that in Vancouver (can be quite boring), Calgary (boring for sure), Ottawa (not exciting), Tokyo (cool), Paris (lovely), and many other places. So, just get to do that in Boston too.

The drive in was smooth, with a slight detour as I missed the exit on Boston downtown while driving in the long tunnel. It took me a while to drive around and found a parking spot near Chinatown, later I found that you can park for US$7-8 for the day... but I've been cheap.

Boston's Chinatown is a old fashion one, with old style restaurants, grocery, video stores, shops with basement doorway. Of course, it has the big gate that many Chinatown had. It's blended with the Vietnamese community, just like many North America Chinatowns these days (ie Toronto, Ottawa). Nearby is the threate district, which has a few old threate.



With Big dig completed, the downtown landscape changed drastically. I remembered it used to be construction sites everywhere in downtown. Now there are still constructions going on by the tunnel area near waterfront, many lands on top of the tunnel is turning into garden and green area. Even through all of them are still dusty and under construction, but I am sure they will be beautiful the next time I visit. With a distastrous ambitrous traffic construction project like the big dig as a prime example, I'm curious to see what Hong Kong to do with the Central reclamation, which I can see potentially turn out like the Big dig. Or maybe it's already happening with the Canton road digging starting soon (or did I recall it correctly??) I still remember the days with MTR is digging everywhere in Mongkok, where I used to live.....



Boston downtown has buildings dated back in the early 1900, which remind me a lot of Montreal downtown. It is interested to see the blend of modern buildings and old historic structures. I walked by the Amtrack station and saw train platform... of course regularation say that Edmond is not allow to take picture there, in case the picture is used by terrorists to plan attacks..... (so, no picture of the train station platform)



South Boston, US wool trade centre. It's kind of business area off downtown. Some part reminds me of Tokyo's Odiba.



The wharfs in the city is surrounded by the Boston harbor, it's a tourist spot with ferry and boat to see Whales.



North End, has the Itialian neighorhood in the town; elders are hanging around. Mom and Pa shops for bread, subs and small shop of antique. It's quite unique.



Quincy Market, the usual tourist spot with shops, roadside stands, food court and entertainers on the street. There is Cheers bars in there, too. Still remember Sam?

More pictures see my Boston album

Chelmsford, MA



Chelmsford is a small town outside of Boston, which is about 45 minutes away. The town is actually quite old, they say 350 years old. It's really a not-much-is-happening small town, mostly residental around here. The whole area is surrounded by woods.




Weather in the past week was stuffy, hot, steamy, and we even got thunderstorm one night. Work was going alright, I get in each day around 8am and stay until 6ish. I actaully get a lot done. After work each day, I take a road and drive away from Chlemsford to explore the surrounding area. It's relaxing to go through the small roads in the wood. Besides, it's back to hotel, eat, surf and watch TV at the same time and repeat again next day. It's boring, especially I have been getting a silent treatment from her... not sure what I did wrong.

On Saturday, I did another drive to a near by city called Lowell. It seems like a low-income place, as there is protest sign on the street about social housing. Then I head north into New Hampshire, which is only 20 minutes drive.

So, there seem really not much to do here, beside work.

After an hour and a half flight, I arrived Boston with my co-worker Peter. Our flight is a Dash 8 propeller plane, kind of noisy. I was sitting at the last row (only 8 rows). Weather is cloudy but warm.



After getting the rental car, we left the airport in two cars (Peter is staying in a diffenent hotel near by). The first thing I notice is the infamous Big dig is finally done, I was getting out of the airport via a long tunnel on I-93 and no traffic jam and construction was encountered.



I followed Peter on the highway heading North to Chelmsford, MA. Traffic wasn't too bad. After leaving Peter and continue to my hotel, I took a wrong exit just before I get to the hotel and hit a traffic jam. I have to exit the highway and turn around, it ends up delay me by half an hour.... oh well.



Hotel has complimentary Wi-Fi access, that's what I'm using to surf and write this post currently.

Well, tomorrow going to be a busy day.

No, I'm not talking about the animals at work. It's the _real_ animals at work.

As I mentioned, my work place is near to a swamp and there are bushes surrounding us. Everyday when I walk to my car, it's like walking in a zoo.

Here I present:







Missing from the show: chipmunk, black squirrel, birds, deer (Yes, deer. I saw them at night a few times)

So, just confirmed that I will be on business trip to Boston area for few weeks. This is my second business trip, software developer does not get a lot of excuse chance to go on trip.

In my last trip, I spent 9 weeks in Paris. It was a wonderful experience with 2 others from work, we get a lot done there and have a blast while over there. This time I'm travelling alone.....