East of Boston

Happy Birthday, America!!

Party all you want... my man will be keeping an eye on things, and not much gets by a Sea Dog.

My Independence Day couldn't have been any more Americana- I went to visit a Russian tall ship. They were very hospitable, until I went all Bastille Day on that ass and lit off a few blogger-chasers on the deck.

Read all about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kruzenshtern_(ship)

The Russian tall ship Krusomething was docked at the Mass Maritime Academy this weekend. You can still take a tour tomorrow (Sunday), from 12-5.

 Normally, the appearance of a huge non-US vessel in Massachusetts waters brings about a bit of alarm in the locals (Falmouth was shelled by the British, and a Russian landing on Cape Cod was the plot of The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming!!). This one, however, was nothing but fun.

Note the Russian flag flying there instead of the more menacing hammer 'n' sickle. Buzzards Bay insisted that they come correct when they stayed here.

Parking at the Academy is $5 a car, but the tours are free. The tours should be free, because everyone I asked a question of simply shrugged and made the international I Don't Understand face. They did this even after I waited until everyone else left and I let on that I, too, was European.

(stands for "wet paint")

This scene below was cool. I was probing around the ship, and randomly opened a hatch. I expected to see a boiler room or a loo. Instead...

Russian Jesus!