Boston is a historic city, one that is full of contrasts. Ancient red-brick sidewalks twist past handsome Federalist houses on the way to soaring glass towers housing state-of-the-art technology. Their sports teams are the most loved and most hated, winningest and claim the longest losing streak simultaneously. Residents are proudly protective of their neighborhoods and vocal about their criticism of the transportation system, the government and the weather. In the harbors of Boston lie both the majestic U.S.S. Constitution and scores of sleek white fiberglass pleasure boats. There are tiny restaurants tucked into historic brick town houses on Beacon Hill and, huge restaurants on the dizzying tops of skyscrapers in Back Bay. Food ranges from the most French chic to down-home Cajun. Boston is a city where politics are everyone's hobby and sports are taken very seriously; where you can hear six different languages while traveling on the T; where the area’s largest shopping area and the stately dome of the Mother Church of Christian Science are in the same neighborhood, and where gilded stone lions and a towering 60-story wedge of glass comfortably rub shoulders.