Home Away from Home; Red Sox Nation

I enjoy cities, I enjoy history, I enjoy the history we can find in cities.  But with our shrinking world--multinational corporations, global manufacturing, the ability to travel half way around the world in less than a day-- I’ve noticed that often I see familiar things that almost make me forget I am not home.

At this point there are some things we’ve just come to expect.  MacDonalds is everywhere, although they may adapt their menus to regional tastes.  Starbucks is everywhere. 

Starbucks in Christchurch, NZ

As we stroll through the area, I see a juggler in the center of the square, and for a minute,  looking at the building behind him, I think I’m in Boston, at Faneuil Hall Marketplace.  Home away from home.

Not Faneuil Hall

The moment passes, I realize it's only a faint similarity, and we continue our stroll. We come to a statue honoring Queen Victoria,

HRH Victoria

and another honoring explorer/navigator James Cook

James Cook

Whenever explorers reach outposts and civilizations previously unknown to them, they lay claim to the territory, (re)name the natural landmarks, and create tributes to (newly arrived) adventurers and their rulers.  And as has happened elsewhere in the country--in the world--acknowledgement of the native population joins tributes to newcomers.  In Alaska Mt Denali was/is Mt. McKinley.  In Australia, Ayers Rock is Uluru.  In New Zealand, Mt. Cook is also known by its Maori name,  Mt. Aoraki.  And in Christchurch there is a Maori carving acknowledging the brave early settlers...

Maori carving in Christchurch

As we wander, a uniquely decorated bus catches my eye. Advertising the Antarctic Center near the airport, the bus has several penguins on its roof.  I’m guessing there are no low bridges here.  I'm also guessing, given my fondness of penguins and the time I'll have before my flight, I'm going to visit that center.

Bus advertisement

I mentioned at the start of this post that often I see familiar things  in unfamiliar places.  What I didn’t realize was how far-flung Red Sox Nation is.  Red Sox fans, take note. When Kate and I were exploring the mudpots and geysers of New Zealand’s North Island, we were crossing a footbridge and I saw a man in a Red Sox hat.  I was wearing my championship Sox t-shirt.  

‘Hey, Red Sox,’ I said, almost without thinking.  

‘Go Sox!’ he replied just as automatically.

If you are rolling your eyes here, you’ll be pleased to know I heard Kate say,  ‘What IS it with you people?”  Only Red Sox Nation would understand.

I saved that story for the end of the trip because, when we return to await the airport shuttle, I see a bus of Japanese tourists as they disembark. One is wearing a Red Sox cap.  I grab my camera and ask ‘Can I take your picture?’  She looks confused; obviously she does not speak English.   I point to her cap, to my Sox t-shirt (yes, another one), and to my camera.  She breaks out in a huge grin and holds up a New Zealand tourist handbook.  

I am over 9,000 miles from my home, and here are all these things that take me home.  It is a small world.  Go Sox!

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Next: The Antarctic Research Center and Homeward Bound