Boston’s Chinatown

By Kanbe M.

Boston’s Chinatown..Not the biggest but is unique in it’s own distinct way.From the flashing lights of the restaurants and stores to the murals and the paifang gate,Boston’s chinatown is one of the most unique and historic places in New England.It’s definitely not the largest but has it’s own character.Chinatown, Boston is a neighborhood located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It is the only surviving historic ethnic Chinese area in New England Since the demolish of Chinatown’s in Providence, Rhode Island and Portland, Maine after the 1950s. Because of the high population of Asian Americans living in this particular area of Boston, there is an abundance amount of Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants located in Boston’s Chinatown. It is one of the most densely populated residential areas in Boston, and is the center of its Asian American life.There are many distinct characteristics about Boston’s chinatown from the moment you walk in.First is the “Paifang gate”.The Paifang gate is green and has chinese characters engraved on it and to the side there are 2 foo lions on each side.The characters means Tian Xia Wei Gong, a saying attributed to Sun Yat-sen that translates as "everything under the sky is for the people", and Li Yi Lian Chi, an ancient Chinese proverb meaning a good person is one who understands "Manner", "Loyalty", "Honesty", and "Shame".Continuing on there is a huge Mural that is being displayed.It is displayed in “scroll form” as Ms.Donoghue says and is beautifully presented.We contiued walking and decided to eat a traditional vietnamese dish called “Pho”.As “Pho Experts” Ms.Donoghue and I showed my fellow writers how to eat,what to put it and so on.It was interesting to see the reactions on there faces after first trying and suprisingly David finished everything from the noodles to the soup.We then went to a local gift-shop and they sold many fasinating things.From plates,tea pots and cups to bamboo,it was an interesting place and is definitely worth going to.We ended the trip going to get Boba tea for Robert, who didn’t even finish the whole thing.Overal,l the trip was a great expirience and i’m glad I got to eat good food with great people.If you are in Boston and want to look for an area with great restaraunts, historic places and a great atmosphere,Boston’s Chinatown is that place!!