Passing through Philly

Jacob took an early morning swim in the pool, and after his shower, we walked down 42nd Street in search of breakfast. We found some at a less than unique Starbucks, but it was what we needed. We saw how the street had changed since last night's deluge washed some of the dirt away, but still, it was packed with people from the world's four corners, all seeming in some sort of a hurry.

About noon, we left for Philadelphia. We were slowed by a bad wreck on the New Jersey turnpike, and saw the helicopter landing to pick up the injured or... But the lanes are fairly narrow and people drive too fast. About two o'clock I called Joan and said, "Guess where I am!" when I arrived in her home town. She had a few suggestions for us tourists that Jacob and I tried to get in while Raymond was at the job site, a stately and ornate old downtown bank that is being converted to an upscale restaurant.

I would say that energy distinguishes New York. Maybe architecture defines Philadelphia. City Hall is magnificent structure and there are other tall, exquisite buildings, young and old. And it seems to be a city that is quite proud of its history and famous inhabitants such as Benjamin Franklin, here with Jacob.


Raymond wanted a real Philly cheese steak sandwich from the city itself, and we followed a recommendation and went to Jim's Steaks. When we got there, we actually remembered it from a Food TV show. It was small and busy with a long line. When it was our turn, the workers seemed so pleased of their product and were happy to let me take a picture of them. Jim's was on South Street, a long revitalized, eclectic area full of interesting, colorful and odd little shops and of course restaurants.




CIty Pix




South Street