Patriots and Flags

A real difference between South Africa and the United States is patriotism. The patriotism here permeates everything. From the core of life to consumeristic gimmicks galore. Americans love America and the ideals on which it was built. I must admit, the history of the founding fathers is very attractive and inspiring.

Don't get me wrong, there is an African pride, and maybe when the last traces if colonialism have disappeared (is that possible?...), and the grudge about past injustices fades, then maybe patriotism will rise amongst South Africans and the ideals of freedom enshrined in the constitution will be the cause of national pride.

The local football (American) team are the New England Patriots, named after the heroes who led the way to casting off the shackles of the English in the War of Independence. The NE Patriots have been a dominant side with a star quarterback in recent years.

We visited the Gillette Stadium and the adjoining shopping village, Patriot Place.
We paid top dollar to attend our first American cinema there. "Beverley Hills Chihuahua" ....oh well, I suppose I did laugh...
I am pictured here with Tim and Michael instructing them to get into shape so they can make Dad lots of money on that playing field someday.

The church rented a car for us to get around on Columbus Day weekend. A black Nissan Altima that I digged the most at first, but after a few days of driving I decided it drove like an old man's car. By the end of the weeked I needed stress therapy from the weirdness of driving on the other side of the road.

The car was convenient as we were able to take Tim and Michael to their first day at school in the US. Here is Tim looking bog-eyed before we departed.

The boys will commute on the yellow school bus, even after we get our own vehicle. It does a stop in the church parking lot and picks them up. Cool.

Here is a pick of Michael getting off the bus after his first day at school.

The most common expression of patriotism is the flag. It is literally EVERYWHERE! Porches, building, shops, cars, etc, Americans love flags. They REALLY love the stars and stripes.

On my walk to the local shops I walk past a memorial signpost to a soldier who lost his life in the war in Iraq. Marine Lance Cpl. Alexander S. Arredondo. Today I noticed his father driving a pickup truck and trailer covered with flags and crosses past the memorial. He was being filmed professionally by somebody. He seems unable to quietly grieve. He needs to shout out through a film production that his son's death wasn't from cancer, or an accident, or an other unstoppable tragedy. His death was a result of the decision to go to war. This picture of a blend of patriotism and the tragic agony over a young, vibrant son taken away too soon will remain with me.

A City with foundations...

Saturday the 4th October was a crisp, sunny autumn morning. By 9am we were at Windsor Gardens station.

The station is walking distance from our home and definitely the most beautiful train stop I have ever seen. I must add that "train-stop-spotting" has never been a great pastime of mine.

Within an hour we were at South Station Boston and we began appreciate the city as we walked towards the New England Aquarium.

The aquarium was a pleasing experience but isn't as good as the Two Oceans aquarium at the Cape Town Waterfront. The interactive dimension of the aquarium is very good however, which kept Michael and Caleigh engaged.

Heather was in charge of navigation and I've never seen her so motivated! She proceeded to march us past Faneuil Hall towards Boston Common. On the way I spotted some ridiculously cool cars down an alley way that led us to the City Hall plaza where a classic American muscle-car and hotrod expo was being hosted.

I admit it, I became deliriously ectatic about every Corvette, Mustang, Thunderbird and low rider on display. Just be glad that I haven't posted every picture taken at this point in our trip.

As we arrived at the common gardens we were greeted by the typical western city cultural melting pot . Of interest were some antiwar protestors who were suprisingly loud considering their advanced age and underwhelming numbers.

I can't say that I don't in some way agree with their point. But is it my South African disposition (ie: complain in the privacy of your home about your government) that made me regard then as odd curiosities worthy of a photo, no more?

After a long trek and with the children flagging, we finally found the original "Cheers" pub. Inspiration for the successful TV series.

I had to assure my kids that "Cheers" was a really a good show and worthy of the footslogging it took to simply walk through the souvenir laden premises. To the boys horror we avoided sitting down to enjoy a meal there, fearing the Brand mark-up on prices. Besides if I wasn't going to drink an ale, what would be the point?

The passage of time since the airing of "Cheers" was emphasised by the pictures of a stunning Kirsty Alley who is currently parodied for her obesity.

Amongst all the walking and wonder we stumbled upon a grave yard. It was the final resting place of John Winthrop. He has a previous mention in my blog for being the founding father of Boston who preached a famous sermon casting a vision for the city as being a "City on a Hill". A city built on God's principles. A shining light of righteousness and justice to the world.

I felt summoned to the spot. It couldn't believe I had found his resting place so soon after our arrival. Don't get me wrong, he isn't a hero to me. I doubt whether I would have enjoyed hanging out with a Puritan. But his message holds a prophetic power today. I can't help think that God is linking the vision of a City on a Hill inside me to a dream of a godly man centuries ago.

A foundational moment in our Boston adventure, pointing to the foundations of the city of Boston.

Philosophy makes way for Philo pastry

I have been in the US for nearly two weeks and the urge to be profound has been overwhelmed by the need to re-orientate and prove how adaptable a South African is.

19 hours on a boeing 767 leaves you desperately dehydrated, but despite that, the flight was entirely endurable and the children were so well behaved!

A few hours at Kennedy airport was stressful and we were keen to get onto our connecting flight to Boston. We spotted Norwood from the air (amazing how hours on Google Earth can cultivate your aerial navigation) as we approached Logan Airport. Boston seemed so inviting...we sensed that this was where we were supposed to be. We were chauffeured to a local Marriott hotel in what the boys called a "limo van". It was a rented monstrous black Ford 15 seater similar to this:

We were going to move into the manse on the church property but work still had to be done on the renovations. We enjoyed the hotel, especially the American breakfasts. I quickly developed a taste for waffles and became a master waffle maker on the self service waffle iron. Maple syrup and whipped cream!

After attending our first Sunday morning services we were introduced to our new home. Check it out! Tommy and Maryann and the team at LWCC had outdone themselves!

The house is literally 20m from the front door of the church but is surrounded by a forest of trees and the yard comes complete with squirrels!

The challenge of getting the children into school remains as we are being made to wait a long time for a doctor's appointment for the pre-admission medical checkup. In the meantime the children are mooching around the house emptying the fridge that was graciously filled with delicious food by the church.

Oh yes, the food. Like their cars, Americans can eat BIG. Shops have loads to choose from and most foods are sweet. I like sweet. Much thought has gone into convenience too. Last night we enjoyed Toaster Strudel. Pop it in the toaster, drizzle on the icing from the sachet provided and Whalla! strawberry or blueberry in pastry to die for!

If I don't post pictures of myself, it means I'm picking up weight...