Boston College - Sub Turri Yearbook (Boston, MA)

Page 32 text:

American Heritage Like any other large city, Boston had its own ethnic sections such as the North End, the South End and Chinatown. To an outsider, these areas might have suggested a segregation of sub- cultures. However, unlil e any other large city was Boston ' s enormous student pop- ulation, bringing with it fresh, open- minded enthusiasm. For those of us who had the opportunity to explore Boston over our years here, we knew that our city was not composed of isolated sub- cultures, but instead was a blend of var- ious sub-cultures, inviting all to partici- pate. To observe the influence of this melange, one needed only to struggle through the crowded food halls of Fanueil Hall. Here the olfactory nen es were bombarded by the aromas that drifted from various stalls advertising their ethnic cuisine. If a relaxed sit-down dinner was your preference, there were several restaurants in the immediate vicinity to choose from — a la francaise at the IVIagic Pan or ' south of the border ' to Guadalaharry ' s. If immerson was sought, the Italian North End was only a stones throw from the Marketplace, There local residents would converse heatedly in their native tongue while coeds sipped their cap- puccino in the Cafe Paradise. Strolling through the streets while a feast took place was an experience in itself. Natur- ally the word Italian connotates visions of delectable specialties ranging from canneloni to canoli! The Asian influence was not central- ized in the peep-show district of China- town. The Hong Kong in Cambridge and Aku-Aku in Back Bay were often fre- quented by students from all over Bos- ton. After a couple of the infamous Scor- pion Bowls whether the restaurant was in Boston or China became blurred. Last but far from least was the Irish population in Boston which constituted the largest ethnic group in the city. Even without a drop of Irish blood, there was always that one day out of the year that fell somewhere in the middle of March. For B.C. students, St. Patrick ' s Day im- plied a self proclaimed holiday (or for those more dedicated students, a half day of classes] that begun at noon and Makis Icrtridis lasted until the wee hours of the mom ' . Droves of students flocked to the famous establishments such as The Purple Shamrock and the Black Rose. The most heart-warming aspect of the event was that singing, laughing, and dancing in the bars were people of all ethnic back- grounds as well as Irish, enjoying it just the same: this was the real advantage to the blending of ethnic cultures in Boston. — Maureen McNicholi Geoff Why 28 Boston