Patriot’s Day is an official state holiday that happens on the third Monday of April.  It celebrates the first battles of the American Revolutionary War and results in a three-day long weekend. The biggest celebration of Patriot’s Day is the Boston Marathon, run by thousands of people since 1897.  It is one of the most respected marathons in the world, and since the Boston Bombing of 2013, people see the Marathon as a symbol of liberty and patriotism more than ever.
 
I decided to go encourage runners near Chestnut Hill as they were running toward their 22nd mile.

​It was a great atmosphere.  Everyone was happy to be there, cheering and holding very creative signs to try to get the attention of their champion! As we watched the race, we realized that if people came unprepared, they would suffer. Many people were in pain, stopping to catch their breath or avoid fainting/vomiting. Some were just hoping to get to the finish line by walking and others were running as if it was just a walk in the park – the latter was a minority though. Those men and women who took part in the Boston Marathon were very impressive to me and I don’t think I could ever run more than 3 hours. Whatever the running level, I have much respect for everyone who signed up for the race.
 
This is a short video to illustrate the intensity the Boston Marathon really presents. It is a different story when you watch it in real life rather than on TV:

​This year’s marathon was also a historical moment because Kathrine Switzer, the first woman who ever ran the Boston Marathon in 1967, did it again, 50 years later! At the time, she completed the all-male race but was attacked by an official who tried to pull her off the course. The crazy thing is that this year, she ran under the same number, 261, and crossed the finish line just under 25 minutes slower than her first time with 4:44:31. This is an amazing example of how an event can rally communities and make people proud to be part of something important.
 
Another event happening at the same time as the Boston Marathon was Mar’Mon, or Marathon Monday. I was not aware of this at all and found it quite amusing. Mar’Mon is pretty much an excuse for students to heavily celebrate the end of their year and their approaching finals on the same day as the Boston Marathon. I saw frat houses partying all day everywhere in Brighton and Allston. I found it very paradoxical to do that on the Boston Marathon Day, an event promoting, I assume, a healthy lifestyle rather than a “you only live once” student-party thing. But at this point in the semester, every student is tired and needs to let all the stress go, so, I guess this three-day long weekend is perfect to relieve any stressed or negative feelings.
 
​One thing that is nice to do - not only during this special weekend, but anytime – is to go to Haymarket. It is Boston’s historic outdoor market where you can find the best deals EVER. Here is what I’m talking about:

• 4 potatoes for $1? Sold.
• 3lbs of bananas for $1.50? I’ll take them please thank you.
• A whole box of mangos for $4? Feels like Christmas!

You will pay 3 to 4 times less than at the supermarket and the environment is amazing. 

It is located in the historic heart of Boston near Boston Public Market and Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Going to Haymarket is also a way to feel even more included and connected to American culture. It is open only on Fridays and Saturdays and I would really encourage you to go because you will save a lot of money.

​The going-out experience in Boston is very different from the one in Europe, especially France. The bars here close early (around 2am) and sometimes, they transform into nightclubs. I have never seen this in my life, and I was a bit confused at first. But there are many ways to spend a nice evening in Boston and discover its nightlife.
 
One thing that you have to try here are open mic nights. These are events that take place in many bars and restaurants in Boston where people can express themselves with music, poems, or comedy. It is also a great way to meet new people and be even closer to the American culture. Meeting artists is so easy and it is really fun to chat and hang out at a live event! Below is a short video of the evening I spent at Devlin’s Restaurant in Brighton. They host an open mic scene every Monday. It was close to my home and I witnessed great musicians who were mostly playing country and typical American songs. I think it is something you should definitely do once during your time here in Boston.

​Another great way to meet other students and enjoy your time after class is the BU Pub. It is open to any BU student, staff, and alumni over 21, and it offers a large selection of foods, snacks, and alcohol. Sometimes, different colleges organize competitions where students can win prizes by answering questions. One of my roommates attended this type of event with the BU’s College of Engineering and had a blast. Even though the questions asked were a bit difficult because it was not his field of study, he had a great time and recommends it!
 
When it comes to sports, as I wrote in a previous post, Americans are not joking around. Huge screens and many TVs are displayed in bars to follow the games. This is another way to spend your evening a bit differently and support a sports team with your friends. For instance, watching the Super Bowl is an excellent way to blend in with the community and feel like a real American.
 
Finally, thanks to the BUddy program at MET International, I had a great night at Lucky Strike Bowling close to Fenway Park. It was all fun and games and a nice way to meet other MET students at the very beginning of the year! The building was huge and also had pool tables, a great bar, and a typical American atmosphere, from the music to the design. It is also a nice place to just come and relax with your friends around great cocktails or an American beer if you are over 21.

​Overall, Boston offers a lot of options when it comes to going out, and I’m sure one year is not enough to cover them all. If you have the opportunity to spend an evening differently than the usual, then do it! This year or semester you will experience here is the perfect opportunity to go out, make new friends, and shake up your routine. Who knows, maybe you will discover the new “place to be” in the city!