Photos of the trip and lunch can be seen at the following web address link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/markryan312/TrainTrip42308
Although it was the day after Earth Day I celebrated the day by having lunch with the Romeo Gang. (Sounds like the Bowery Boys from the 1945 movies or maybe Spanky and Our Gang). From the stories that they tell around the lunch table, these guys were hellions when they were younger. Now they are just hell on wheels or canes which ever fits.
http://picasaweb.google.com/markryan312/TrainTrip42308
Although it was the day after Earth Day I celebrated the day by having lunch with the Romeo Gang. (Sounds like the Bowery Boys from the 1945 movies or maybe Spanky and Our Gang). From the stories that they tell around the lunch table, these guys were hellions when they were younger. Now they are just hell on wheels or canes which ever fits.
Romeos in attendance were Paul Giolotti, Joe Lapiana, Paul Girard, Ed Deschuytner, Joe Balsama, Steve Winter, Joe Pignatiello, Jim Sicuso, Jim Terlizzi, Mark Ryan and Bob Siggens.
I decided to take the train into town to reduce my carbon footprint and save gas. It was quite an adventurous trip. I am a people watcher and enjoy trying to figure out people, how old they are, their occupation, and where they may be going. I also can’t help listening to the idle chatter and the cell phone conversations. Sometimes they are amazing.
I haven’t taken the T for many years, since I live in the suburbs and use the car most everywhere I go. So I got the train at Wilmington Station at about 9AM to North Station and then the subway over to Down Town Crossing to get my Senior Citizens Charlie Card. I can now pay about 50% of the regular fare. (See photos in web link above).
Sitting on the train, I watched out the window and saw the panorama change from suburban to inner city. I first saw trees, ponds and small houses and then roads, bridges and high rise buildings. Graffiti was prevalent under all the bridges and on the backs of large buildings adjacent to the train track. Although the graffiti is a form of vandalism, it is also an artistic expression of young adults and their frustration and defiance with society that needs to be addressed. As the train moved on, I saw the new Zekum Bridge, Bunker Hill Monument, Museum of Science and Duck Boats in the water ways.
The train ride from Wilmington to North Station took about 30 minutes compared to a much longer ride by car. Exiting the train at North Station I saw relatively modern and clean facilities and many Electronic Terminals where you could buy Charlie Card Transit Tickets for cash or credit card. (Yogi Berra says cash is the same as money). There were also plenty of MBTA workers who provided helpful assistance and directions for all commuters. In addition, transit system maps were posted on most walls to assist you.
Since I was still early for lunch, I walked over to Park St. Station and the Boston Common. Again I watched in amazement all the different people and it reminded me of the Beatles Song- All the Lonely People – (Where Do They All Come From?). I then entered Park St. Station and took the subway over to Lechmere and the bus up Cambridge St. to the Portagalia Restaurant. It was only 11AM so I walked around the area a bit and noticed the Public Library and St. Anthony’s Church. A quick look inside the modern church showed simple but also beautiful main alter and side chapel. On a busy city street, the church provides a quiet sanctuary to the local Portuguese community.
The Romeo guys all arrived about 12 noon and we ordered drinks. Since this was a Portuguese Restaurant we try to order accordingly. The Strages Beer (Portuguese) seemed to be good choice. The waitress said it was between an ale and a larger. Drinks were served and bread and olives were available to munch on. We then looked at the lunch menu and ordered a variety of choices (steak tips, mussels, fish and pork). Most meals also came with two side orders.
The food came quickly and it was very good. I decided to be daring and ordered the Bacalhau (Portuguese salted cod shredded with scrambled eggs, onions and potatoes. I also got Portuguese cabbage soup and Portuguese fries. Everything was delicious. I only finished half my meal and had the rest boxed to take home. I didn’t realize how odorous the Balcalhua was until I was on the train home. The fish and garlic filled the train car and that is all I could smell (as well as everyone else). I felt like the skunk on Noah’s Ark.
The greatest thing about the Romeo Lunch is the conversation. These guys are just stock full of interesting information. Paul Gir. Spoke about a new cure for cancer with interveneous metal salts and radio waves, Joe P. talked about his bike trip to France and the Boston Marathon. Joe La. told us that Joe Lo. had a fall and stitches. Paul Gil. told us about Mary C. and that she is in a nursing home. Jim T. suggested that we have our next Romeo lunch in Revere and visit Mary. We all agreed.
After lunch, the waitress took our picture and we said our goodbyes for another month. About 12 Romeo members were able to make this lunch date. Others sent there regards and would try to make next time. A great day had by all.
I decided to take the train into town to reduce my carbon footprint and save gas. It was quite an adventurous trip. I am a people watcher and enjoy trying to figure out people, how old they are, their occupation, and where they may be going. I also can’t help listening to the idle chatter and the cell phone conversations. Sometimes they are amazing.
I haven’t taken the T for many years, since I live in the suburbs and use the car most everywhere I go. So I got the train at Wilmington Station at about 9AM to North Station and then the subway over to Down Town Crossing to get my Senior Citizens Charlie Card. I can now pay about 50% of the regular fare. (See photos in web link above).
Sitting on the train, I watched out the window and saw the panorama change from suburban to inner city. I first saw trees, ponds and small houses and then roads, bridges and high rise buildings. Graffiti was prevalent under all the bridges and on the backs of large buildings adjacent to the train track. Although the graffiti is a form of vandalism, it is also an artistic expression of young adults and their frustration and defiance with society that needs to be addressed. As the train moved on, I saw the new Zekum Bridge, Bunker Hill Monument, Museum of Science and Duck Boats in the water ways.
The train ride from Wilmington to North Station took about 30 minutes compared to a much longer ride by car. Exiting the train at North Station I saw relatively modern and clean facilities and many Electronic Terminals where you could buy Charlie Card Transit Tickets for cash or credit card. (Yogi Berra says cash is the same as money). There were also plenty of MBTA workers who provided helpful assistance and directions for all commuters. In addition, transit system maps were posted on most walls to assist you.
Since I was still early for lunch, I walked over to Park St. Station and the Boston Common. Again I watched in amazement all the different people and it reminded me of the Beatles Song- All the Lonely People – (Where Do They All Come From?). I then entered Park St. Station and took the subway over to Lechmere and the bus up Cambridge St. to the Portagalia Restaurant. It was only 11AM so I walked around the area a bit and noticed the Public Library and St. Anthony’s Church. A quick look inside the modern church showed simple but also beautiful main alter and side chapel. On a busy city street, the church provides a quiet sanctuary to the local Portuguese community.
The Romeo guys all arrived about 12 noon and we ordered drinks. Since this was a Portuguese Restaurant we try to order accordingly. The Strages Beer (Portuguese) seemed to be good choice. The waitress said it was between an ale and a larger. Drinks were served and bread and olives were available to munch on. We then looked at the lunch menu and ordered a variety of choices (steak tips, mussels, fish and pork). Most meals also came with two side orders.
The food came quickly and it was very good. I decided to be daring and ordered the Bacalhau (Portuguese salted cod shredded with scrambled eggs, onions and potatoes. I also got Portuguese cabbage soup and Portuguese fries. Everything was delicious. I only finished half my meal and had the rest boxed to take home. I didn’t realize how odorous the Balcalhua was until I was on the train home. The fish and garlic filled the train car and that is all I could smell (as well as everyone else). I felt like the skunk on Noah’s Ark.
The greatest thing about the Romeo Lunch is the conversation. These guys are just stock full of interesting information. Paul Gir. Spoke about a new cure for cancer with interveneous metal salts and radio waves, Joe P. talked about his bike trip to France and the Boston Marathon. Joe La. told us that Joe Lo. had a fall and stitches. Paul Gil. told us about Mary C. and that she is in a nursing home. Jim T. suggested that we have our next Romeo lunch in Revere and visit Mary. We all agreed.
After lunch, the waitress took our picture and we said our goodbyes for another month. About 12 Romeo members were able to make this lunch date. Others sent there regards and would try to make next time. A great day had by all.
