North End

North End, Boston’s oldest residential neighborhood which was evident since 1946. Although it has only 0.36 square miles, the neighborhood is popular in Boston especially among tourists because its historic architectures, Italian streets, various Italian restaurants, and delicious Italian pastries. Residents and workers in this neighborhood are mainly Italian immigrants and Albanian immigrants.

There are some quite interesting things in this neighborhood such as various street artists, historic buildings, and religious procession. Street artists make this neighborhood more vivid and artistic. Nico Riley is a violist who is only in Boston this summer but he plays everyday in the North End. Every time I go to the North End, he is always there in front of the Paul Reserve Statue and have some interactions with pedestrians. Vera Meyer is an artist who plays the glass harmonica at the Paul Reserve Mall. She is really passionate and willing to have a conversation with people who pass by. Also, she can sing songs from different countries while she is playing the glass harmonica. Jim, who is an African American originally from Morocco. He will be in this neighborhood this summer and has been moving around in Massachusetts for 23 years.

Padre Pio Procession shows the importance of the religion to followers in this community. It was a Catholic church procession that followers celebrated Saint Pio of Pietrelcina who is now venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. There was also a group of performers who joined and played the instruments during the procession. It was my first time to see religious procession and it was quite interesting for me.

Overall, I have a nice Italian experience in the North End. The pastries here are delicious, buildings are artistic and people are friendly. I enjoyed this oldest neighborhood in Boston.