A trip to the John F. Kennedy Museum and Harvard University in Boston

After a rousing breakfast at Finagle a Bagel (yes, it is possibly the stupidest name for a food outlet I’ve ever come across, but they do a mean bacon and egg bagel so I’ll forgive them) I hit the subway and shuttle bus out to the John F. Kennedy museum. I’ve always been fascinated by that period of history and JFK in particular so I was expecting good things, and I wasn’t disappointed. Some really interesting stuff on his early life and election to president, Bay of Pigs, space race etc, as well as significant sections on Jackie and Robert Kennedy as well.

Obviously being a memorial museum, the man was presented in the best possible light and the many areas of controversy in his life were glossed over or ignored, but I didn’t really expect anything else. There were loads of original letters, gifts and other items on display, including his favourite sailboat mounted on the grass outside the museum which I thought was a nice touch.

Back into the city and out to Cambridge for the afternoon, to check out Harvard University. Wow. What an institution this place is. Fantastic grounds and old buildings, both the ‘official’ buildings like libraries and the various museums and the student accommodation alike. Most of the student accommodation on campus is older, in fact, than the classrooms and other buildings. I’d joined up with the ‘Unofficial Harvard Tour’, which as the name implies is not sanctioned in any way by the university itself but instead is run by the students. Unsurprisingly, it was a lot more irreverent and enjoyable and gave the kind of info that I’m sure the university authorities don’t like much. Which, of course, is exactly what you’re looking for on a tour, right? Highly recommended.

After an hour or so wandering round the grounds and buildings, I checked out some of the surrounding area (some great bookshops, cafes and bars once you get away from the ubiquitous chain stores that are cheerfully destroying the local neighbourhood) and then headed back into the city for … you’ll never guess… food and beer! I know, I know, I am just so unpredictable. Again made some new friends at the bar and spend the night with them, which was wonderful – the people here are fantastic (well, the ones I’m meeting, anyway) and just so friendly, especially once they find out you’re not from round these parts. It’s pretty bloody rare that a Kiwi accent attracts much except widespread derision (and justifiably so…), so it’s kinda cool for that not to be the case for a little while.