Campus Life - Letters from MIT Celebrating Independence Day By Shin Kuwaki	フレームで見る  英文をプリントする  脚注をプリントする
独立記念日を祝う アメリカの独立記念日の7月4日には、全米各地で祝賀行事が催されます。マサチューセッツ工科大学(MIT)のあるケンブリッジ市と隣町のボストンの間を流れるチャールズ川沿いでも、さまざまなイベントが行なわれ、多くの人が詰めかけます。桑木さんはボストンで過ごす最後の夏を、友人とのピクニックや花火で楽しみました。

この日のチャールズ川周辺は、祝日を満喫しようとする多くの人々で混雑する

A major event during this time is Boston's Fourth of July (Independence Day) festivities. Thousands of people gather on this day to celebrate America's birthday. Along the banks of the Charles River, which divides Cambridge from Boston, people put up tents and prepare for picnics to enjoy the day off with friends and family. Hot dog stands, snow cone and ice cream trucks, barbecue grills, balloons, colorful umbrellas and face painting set the mood for celebration.

This year, I gathered with my friends for a picnic on the banks of the Charles. The Harvard Bridge spans the river and we often walk across it to get to the Boston side. The view from this bridge is spectacular when the weather is nice; the Boston skyline lies between the clear blue skies and the sparkling water, with numerous white sailboats in the foreground.

On July 4 this year, sailboats, kayaks and floats, decorated red, white and blue, floated comfortably on the waters of the Charles River. Even though the Charles is notorious for the poor quality of its water, some people were diving in for a quick swim to escape the heat. In addition to the sailboats and kayaks, we even saw someone on a self-constructed float made of wooden boards and old metal parts.

Once we arrived on the Boston side, we immediately ran into a crowd of people all walking towards the Esplanade. The Esplanade is a semi-dome-shaped stage where many musical groups put on performances, and where movie showings take place on the weekends. Every year, the Boston Pops put on their Fourth of July concert performance on the Esplanade. Founded in 1885, the Boston Pops is a highly acclaimed orchestra, and they have put on numerous tours both in and out of the country. The Boston Pops concert is followed by fireworks, which are completely computerized and involve hundreds of colorful explosions that decorate the evening skies.

This year I was fortunate to find a spot on the deck of the Sailing Pavilion to watch the fireworks. The Pavilion is located right in front of the boat from which the fireworks are released. Prior to the fireworks, we took out a sailboat. Two of my friends who had taken sailing classes at MIT were able to skillfully maneuver the boat, and they took us out on a refreshing ride on the calm waters of the Charles.

After four hours of playing cards and board games and nibbling on snacks on the deck, the fireworks suddenly commenced with five, bright fireballs shot vertically into the night sky to loud cheers and whistling from the crowds. The fireworks continuously blossomed and faded. Our eyes stayed pinned to the massive rings of light in the darkness, soon followed by a deep pounding that we could feel in our stomachs. The most emotional moment of the evening came with the finale, a show of hundreds of scattering lights and explosions accompanied America's national anthem, "Star-Spangled Banner."

It was sad to think that this would be my last summer in Boston and my last time seeing the Fourth of July fireworks with my friends at MIT who will all be graduating with me next year. However, this has become a moment to remember for all of us who gathered to celebrate the Fourth of July. With each additional year I spend in this country, I know that this annual celebration will continue to take on a deeper meaning.

Shukan ST: July 25, 2003

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