10 things about Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Main.
These are some notes and observations from the three states I visited during my July trip: Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Main.
1) People love seafood in all three states, especially oysters and lobsters. They often add bread crumbs and Ritz cookie crumbs to their seafood dishes. Some restaurants feel compelled to add the word “Legal” to their "Seafood Restaurant" sign.
2) Real estate in Massachusetts, especially near Boston is as expensive as it is in California, especially near San Francisco.
3) Parking at Boston's underground parking garages is officially the most expensive I've ever seen: $8 per 20 minutes beats $4 per 20 minutes in SF and I used to complain about that. But 25 cents will buy you a wholesome 30 minutes of meter parking throughout Boston’s downtown area, where in San Francisco it is only 3 minutes, 10 times less.
4) Boston area and suburbs are very green. There are stripes of parks in between roads stretching for several blocks.
5) Hooker is the word born in Boston and it was a respectable name of Thomas Hooker, the minister and author of early constitutions. Harvard University considered naming one of its buildings after him before realizing how it would sound...
6) There are tons of boats at Boston's harbor; people take sailing lessons for free.
7) Right at the border of New Hampshire and Main, on Main territory there is a restaurant that serves keys to the treasure box along with the menu. None of the keys fit.
8) Mosquitos are extra vicious in New Hampshire. They love California’s blood.
9) There is no sales tax in New Hampshire, but there is a property tax on your car. So if you are thinking of saving on your car purchase, they'll get you later unless you leave the state in time.
10) Boston and San Francisco have made the list of number 1 cities where the architecture of the buildings graciously combines old and new trends into harmony of modern city.[Ukrainian architects participating in ICEA's programs in both cities in recent years].
