This weekend I jetted off to meet Jefe in NYC thanks to some frequent flyer miles.  I started writing today’s post on Monday about my top 10 favorite things about New York…. but it quickly became clear that I just didn’t feel like talking about New York anymore.

I, like, the rest of the world, was glued to the TV, Twitter and Facebook for updates of any kind.  My best friend lives in Boston.  I knew 3 people running the marathon.  It is by far one of my favorite places on earth and I just couldn’t believe what was going on in such an incredible place.

Luckily everyone I knew was safe.  But I couldn’t stop thinking about those that weren’t and can’t shake this feeling of helplessness as I watch from 3000 miles away.  But as Mr. Rogers once said “find the helpers.”  And there were plenty.

So today I want to spread the love for a city that I would love to some day call home.  Amidst the chaos that’s still going on, the questioning of who did this and why, and the constant news cycle speculation, I wanted to offer a little glimpse in to why I think this city ROCKS and I know will pick itself up and get right back on it’s own two feet.  And then run another marathon.

Here are my top 10 reasons why I love this great city:

1. The people.  They can be rough around the edges but they all have hearts of gold.  They are a unique breed and unlike anyone I’ve ever met before.  They can go from swearing like a trucker in a snow-storm to swaying arm in arm during “Sweet Caroline” in 5 seconds flat.  Those Boston rebels were the one’s that dumped the snotty English’s tea in the harbor.  And high-fived each other afterwards.
2. The Sox.  Baseball fan or not, there is something magical about attending a game in Fenway Park.  It truly is breathtaking.  You step foot in that stadium and you can just feel the incredible history seep in to your bones.  I wasn’t even a fan in 2004 and I still get choked up watching anything about that year’s World Series; it’s impossible not to knowing the history a team that toiled for so long.  From “Sweet Caroline” to the teeny tiny seats to the Green Monster, there’s no place like it.
   

   Jefe & I at Fenway for my first Red Sox game

3. The history.  Follow the red brick road and the Freedom trail will take you all over the city for the nation’s greatest history lesson.
   

   Paul Revere looking badass on his horse

4. The architecture.  Red brick everywhere.  They embrace the old and only integrate the new when necessary.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. 
5. Cambridge.  The home of Julia Child, Harvard, and my first Hong Kong scorpion bowl.  And my bestie who is just as important.
   

   Julia Child’s home (Courtesy of Out and About in Paris)

6. The T.  Any city with such smoothly operating public transit is a-ok with me.  They just need to extend the running time to last call and they’d really be on to something.
7. The food.  Clam chowder.  Lobster.  Cannoli’s from Mike’s.  I’ve eaten my way through this city more than once. 
8. The accent.  I will pahk my cah in the yahd any day of the week if asked by a Walhberg, Damon or Affleck. 
9. The attitude.  This is similar to #1 but there’s just something about the unapologetic yet openly welcoming attitude that the city just exudes and invites you in.
10. Fall.  You’ve never seen foliage until you’ve walked along the Charles during autumn.
    

    Courtesy of Virtual Tourist

Boston, you’ve had my heart for years and always will.