Number 7

Wearing: Clean, tumble-drier warm pants.

Dan's flat, Providence RI

The things people can do with open spaces is incredible. To be able to turn one huge space and turn it into several separated, multi-story units with different atmospheres is inspirational. And the friendliness and kindness of some people is great to witness. Dan gave me bike a service helping me get to Boston in record time, and his girlfriend brought me some amazing cakes from the bakery helping me trousers fit for another week. We can also add to the wildlife tally - whilst we were playing with an accordian (Axel F anyone?) a groundhog came out from underneath a girder to listen.

I had two thoughts about Providence. First of all, it has the same kind of atmosphere as St Andrews, or at least College Hill round by Brown University has. You can feel the university atmosphere and for some reason it has the same kind of feeling of being in it's own bubble and shut off from the rest of the world. The other thought is that in contrast to the UK, the centre of town empties at the weekend. This was the same in Wilmington. Final thought about Rhode Island - it's a lot flatter than Connecticut.

Bunker Hill, Boston MA

From Providence, it was a simple ride up to Boston to get State capital number 7. One thing Americans are good at is BBQ. I stopped off on the way at some BBQ pit for a burrito and it was great. Since arriving at the youth hostel I've met a couple of new people and a couple who seem to have been following us from Philly and through New York, although they came here on bus and spent 10 days in NYC rather than 2 days and cycling.

Spent today wandering round and following the Freedom Trail. While I was having a break in Boston Common I was randomly given a shed-load of free condoms courtesy of Boston Glass Community Center.

Clean pants, and free condoms - Boston is a great city!