T Stands for The Mapparium

During the Summer, the Highland Street Foundation offered Free Fun Fridays where area museums and attractions offered free admission. Nan and I decided to take advantage on the last Friday of the event, the Friday before Labor Day weekend. We would meet in Boston to visit the Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library. Mary Baker Eddy was the founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist.

Himself dropped me off at the train station in Grafton where I caught the 510 Commuter Rail on the Framingham-Worcester Line. The train arrived on time at 7:37 AM and would get me to Back Bay Station between 8:45 and 9 AM

Since Nan was taking the Orange Line to Back Bay Station, we agreed to meet at Au Bon Pain in Copley Place steps away from busy, Back Bay Station. Copley Place is a shopping and office complex in Copley Square.

Nan treated me to breakfast . Tea for me, coffee for her, and scrumptious Apple Cinnamon Croissant.  After breakfast and catching up, we headed to

The Boston Public Library. As it turned out, we both got a renewal notice for our library cards. The Eddy Library is a short walk from the BPL so since we were going by, we decided to renew our library cards. 

A Duck Boat tour vehicle makes its way down Dartmouth Street.

Across the street from the BPL, a Farmer's Market was taking place at Trinity Plaza.

We walked around the corner from the front entrance of the McKim building, the old library, to the entrance of the new library (built during the 1970s) to get our library cards renewed. Seems odd to have to renew a library card like you renew a driver's license.

With that out of the way, we walked the half mile or so to the Mary Baker Eddy Library. Visitor services were on hand with Free Fun Friday stickers. There is an admission fee to the Mapparium, but the rest of the libary is free to visit.

A light fixture in the foyer 

Also on hand was the Flamenco Boston, a flamenco dance group. They were giving a demonstration so we stopped to watch. There was a children's tour group, and they happily shouted Ole during the performance. A mom with a couple of toddlers was standing in front of us, and the little ones had a rollicking good time dancing and clapping to the music.

The Mapparium, while beautiful is a bit under-whelming. The Mapparium is a 3-storey, glass globe from 1935. You walk into this large room on a plexi-glass bridge and you are in the middle of the globe. Sadly, photography, even non-flash is not allowed. You can simulate a photo by standing in front of the globe backdrop.

Afterwards, we decided to go outside to see the Reflecting Pool. The reflecting pool is an outdoor area between the Christian Science Church and the Prudential Center. 

A beautiful floral display

The Christian Science Church

And the Reflecting Pool is undergoing major reconstruction. To be finished in the Fall of this year. 

We decided to head back to the BPL. With our renewed library cards, we would be able to visit the Rare Books and Manuscripts Department to look at Medieval Manuscripts.

The Rare Books and Manuscripts Department is located on the 3rd floor of the old library. We went up the stairs between Uncle Manny's lions. Don't forget to say Hi to Uncle Manny and to rub the tail of the lion for good luck.

We weren't lucky enough as the Rare Books and Manuscripts was closed undergoing major renovations. The department is expected to remain closed until 2019.

As it was lunch time, we knew one place that wouldn't be closed. Flour Bakery and Cafe, a favorite lunch spot. Nan and I ate there the last time we were in Boston 2 years ago. The bakery was crowded so we got our food to go. Since it was a Goldilocks Day, not too hot, not to cold we decided to take our lunch and eat outside at Trinity Plaza. We found an empty park bench.

Hard to photograph my BLT (arugula, tomato, mayo, balsamic vinaigrette, toasted focaccia) and iced tea with lemon while balancing lunch in my lap.

Lunch time and the pigeons were out enforce looking for a handout. 

After lunch, we decided to go to Lord and Taylors. Nan was looking for a pair of shoes for a wedding and had seen some on sale. They didn't have the shoes Nan was looking for.

She tried on a pair of cute, blue gingham shoes. Still on sale, but a little too steep in price.

We went back to Trinity Plaza and browsed through the Farmer's Market. Statue of Boston artist John Singleton Copley

Before heading back to Back Bay Station, we went back to the library. Nan thought she would like a book to read on the subway. She forgot her readers so was looking at large-print books, but couldn't find anything appealing.

I can't read in a moving vehicle.

Walking back to the train station, I took a picture of Trinity Church and the Old Hancock Tower dwarfed by the new Hancock Tower. A single cloud like a flying saucer is reflected in the glass structure. The "new" tower, constructed during the 1970s, is the tallest building in Boston and had an observation deck with magnificent views of the city. The observation deck was closed after 9/11. 

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.