Here's a note to the wise: if you're actually interested in getting to the parade and to a good spot - get there early! It started at 1 and we hopped on the T from BU around noon. When we got to Park Street to transfer to the Red Line...we were quite surprised. Getting on was a nightmare, but once we got off at the stop in Southie...this happened...
There was a massive line to even get out! I'm not complaining nor was I surprised but it was an interesting experience. Anyway, we finally got to our spots at the start of the parade and we later traversed a little further down. There was a mix of families, adults and drunk college students (along with ridiculously annoying drunk undergraduate girls...who let's be honest are the worst ever). The parade was pretty cool - we didn't stay for the whole thing but there were some highlights. One of them being Star Wars. And the nerd in me comes out!
They also had the usual - Boston PD, Fire Department, Army, Navy, etc. If you find yourself in Boston, I'd recommend it...just to say you did. But then again, I'm from NY and have only made my way to NYC's parade once in my life. I think Boston's may be one of the biggest though (bigger than New York's).
Oh, here's something else I might add. Go to the bathroom BEFORE you get there or start looking for one long before you get to the point where you feel you might not make it any further. Bars along the parade charge roughly $20 cover (which I almost paid merely for a bathroom); I saw no port-a-potties; and the line for a bathroom any place you do find is likely to be very long. After walking around for maybe 10-15 minutes I finally found a pizza place, bought a slice and waited on a 5-10 minute line. So do yourself a favor, don't bring yourself to the point of despair before you start looking.
While I do seem to have a lot to complain about in this city (another T-rant post is sure to be written very soon), I will note that they know how to do St. Patty's in Boston. But that's not surprising is it? The day after was probably the best because you could tell everyone was in bad shape. The T was silent and the overall attitude of "let me sleep all day" was on everyone's face. I'm really excited that in my three semesters at BU and in Boston that I got to experience this lovely Irish holiday. Because everyone's Irish on St. Patty's!
-A.
