Touring the USA way

Today was our first real day with a new group of like minded tourists from all parts of the globe....but on this tour mainly Australians! We had a tour of Boston city this morning and then the afternoon to do as we pleased. A few views of interest.........first of all a birds eye view from the skywalk observatory of the Prudential Building. The red ground/stadium in the centre below is home of the Boston Redsox and the locals certainly take their baseball very seriously.........

(Above photo for you Sophie...sorry we couldn't stop!)
Below on the balcony of the State House the Declaration of Independence was read in 1776 and each year on July 4th it is re-enacted on the same balcony.......

I have reworded my original post and would now like to say ......rather than "sheer waste of life" that this memorial is a poignant reminder of the bravery of so many. Many of you know that war is close to my heart as my father served in Bomber Command in WW2. This garden is outside Boston's oldest church Old North Church built in 1723 and where Paul Revere warned of the approaching British troops - the beginning of the American Revolution. It seems ironic that this memorial is standing here in 2012 and incredulous that troops have been in Afghanistan for 12 years.........

Each tag represents a loss...........

Inside the church.......

We had a wonderful cruise around Boston Harbour....very cold but worth the view........

 You can buy an apartment in the complex below for 1.5 million!

 The US Constitution below is the US Navy's oldest commissioned ship. It has been in service for over 200 years and must sail one nautical mile every year which it does on July 4th assisted by a tug boat. Once out in the harbour it fires a 21 gun salute - what a treat that would be!

Another reminder of the devastation of war below with this Holocaust memorial . Each number etched into the tall columns of glass represents one of the six million jews who perished in concentration camps.........

And this is our mode of transport for the next 12 days....see you in Canada next time......