CP Abroad With Ronan Doyle

Ronan Doyle, Global Art Director

What a Time to Visit

Goosebumps. And not from the cold—in fact, this October was probably the warmest I’ve ever experienced. Blue skies, sun, and crazy vibrant Autumn colours. My Boston colleagues had told me fall is one of the best times to visit, and hey, they definitely weren’t wrong.

Frankie, my wife, and I had been to Boston once before in 2020, but the pandemic quickly cut that trip short. We had to leave without really seeing very much of the city, and everything shutting down around us. This time, however, was different, and it certainly delivered ten-fold. Boston has easily climbed to the top of our list of favorite cities, it has amazing history, rich culture, fantastic food, and incredibly friendly people.

Wanderlust

We usually skip the typical tourist attractions, preferring to wander and find hidden gems. Boston’s charm lies in its character—around every corner, there’s something new to see without it trying too hard to grab your attention. Whether we were climbing Bunker Hill, catching a boat on the Mystic River, or trying pizza near Hanover Street, it really felt like a big city with the charm of a small town.

Of course, Boston has its iconic sports culture and flashy lights, but what we loved most were the small quirks—like the funny voice that says “wait” at traffic lights. 

Another important part of our trip was visiting New York to see the 9/11 Memorial. I remember passing by the same spot in 1996 when my brother drove us from JFK to Scranton. This time though, I didn’t want a picture; it was about quiet reflection, and a reminder of the importance of making a difference in life. Our company’s vision might adapt, but I’m starting to understand what it means to be “defiantly human.” For me, it’s about striving to make a positive impact and that stood out as a reminder that we all have a chance to do that.

People

Meeting the friendly people in the Boston office was by far the highlight. Putting faces to names is invaluable, and I think the more people get the chance to do this, the more our multiple offices will feel like one. Conversations flow much easier when you have a face to talk to and I’m sure it will be easier when you have a face to put with that random slack or email. An extra bonus was working on a U.S. project while there, and I’d encourage anyone visiting another office to get involved in a project no matter how big or small.

Kudos to everyone who organized the apartment—it was truly the icing on the cake. It felt like a home away from home, with everything we needed for the month. Having a local food market nearby kept us from overspending on eating out every night, as tempting as that was! Standing on the roof deck, gazing at the twinkling lights, gave me a sense of calm in this bustling city. It made me feel very small, but also reminded me of the huge world out there and the chance we all have to make a difference.

Some of the highlights included meeting everyone in the office (including Carl and Beau the dogs), a surprise visit from Cape Cod relatives, river walks by Charlestown, Halloween pumpkins, finding the famous Good Will Hunting bench, the view from the top of the Prudential Tower, the beautiful Beacon Hill, the New England Aquarium, Fenway Park, the Hatch Awards, iconic New York sights, and, of course, lots of cold brew coffee.

Thank You

I honestly wish I could have Boston on-tap every day—but thankfully, I still have access to some of its people through our Boston office. This was an experience I’ll carry with me for a lifetime, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity given to me.

Ronan