Back in the mid-nineties I used to live in Cambridge and Harvard Square was a frequent destination. There were some good restaurants, the now defunct House of Blues where I saw great live music, a decent stereo store and a superb underground record store. I wondered how much had changed. I did not find that record store, but the stereo store is still there and seems to be in decline. Harvard Square is also home to my favourite Massachusetts cigar store: Levitt and Peirce. I was pleasantly surprised to see it is still going strong. Naturally, I bought a few cigars 🙂
It was Melissa’s first time in Harvard Square and for myself, a return after a 22 year absence. Although some bits are familiar much has changed. Some of the open spaces I used to get my bearings are gone or under construction with scaffolding blocking the view. It took me a while to get orientated, after all, 22 years is a long absence.
When I lived in Cambridge, Harvard Square attracted some unique characters and this is still the case as evidenced by the guy carrying a cross. Upon further examination, one notices a wheel in the back as well as hinged joints to collapse it into a smaller shape. From this image we can reasonably assume this is a daily activity and he likely takes the folded version into a subway or bus. It takes all kinds.
I was looking forward to a stroll through the Harvard Campus, however, new rules prohibited us from doing so. According to the signs posted at the campus gates, unless you are a student or faculty, you cannot enter unless you are part of an authorized tour group. Bugger.
After a couple of hours of walking around and shopping, we took the subway back to Framingham. Unlike Toronto, Boston and its suburbs have a good subway system and it’s cheaper to ride. We had a good time in Harvard Square and it was a day well spent.
