Revolution, Redcoats, Revere and Red Sox

Those with an inclination towards history will find Boston an obliging city. There simply cannot be another U.S. city with the variety of locations available here. You'll see pictured an example of late 18th Century graffitti.

Boston resonates with names and neighbourhoods that you'll be familiar with. Paul Revere (Silversmith and Messenger), James Otis (Liftmaker and Lawyer), Samuel Adams (Statesman and Beer drinker), Benjamin Franklin (Ambassador and not a President (Apologies Gordon)), John Hancock (Serial Autographer and bloke with slang for 'Penis' in his surname. Also, first signatory of the Declaration of Independence) et al.

Anyway, Boston has sensibly modernised around the iconic buildings of it's past and to a large extent they can be visited, providing the visitor with human sized structures amongst the skyscrapers. These are sturdy, brick buildings from which the American Revolution blossomed, freeing the citizens of the 13 colonies from the clutches of tyranny as represented by the British Empire.

And who can blame them? Can you, hand on heart, disagree with the slogan, 'No taxation without representation!'. OK maybe I'd have sat down and drunk the tea rather than throw it overboard but I like to think that I'd've played an active part in throwing off the yoke of oppression.

Now I'm an Englishman, no matter how many people think I'm an Australian, and prouder of it than you think. It would seem odd to enjoy visiting a city that revels in it's role in sending England packing but weirdly, it doesn't feel like that at all. The sense is of a wrong being righted and you're almost glad that England was taught the lesson. Try to imagine for a moment a world in which the American Revolution had never taken place. Hard, isn't it.

As someone privileged enough to have been in the Croke Park crowd when the GAA opened its gates to 'foreign' sports, the solemnity of the occasion was never so bad as to make you wonder if it was safe to bellow 'God save the Queen' at the top of your voice. Even if you were craven enough to wear a Rugby shirt emblazoned with the words 'British and Irish Lions'. And so Boston's Irish heritage ensures the city remains as friendly and accommodating as Eire itself. Even if they do want you out.