6 posts tagged “philadelphia”

Show us your favorite landmark in your current hometown.

I wouldn't choose what I am going to choose were it not for this:

I grew up in Marin County, California.  The photo above is of Muir Woods, a redwood forest in a canyon on the road to Stinson Beach.  I went there many times as a kid, for hikes, school trips and so on.  Very pretty, awesome in its stillness and majesty.  But I never thought twice about it.  It was just Muir Woods.  That is until the day I went there with my girlfriend Mary.

Mary was from Shrewsbury, MA, not too far from Boston.  One year while we were together, my parents invited her out to California with me for a holiday.  (Her family hosted me a number of times for Christmas).  Mary had never been to California, so I borrowed the car for some sightseeing.  Naturally, when visitors came to Marin, one would take them to various places, like Sausalito, Stinson Beach, and of course a quick stop at Muir Woods.  We had already gone to Stinson, had stopped at the Pelican Inn for lunch, and I figured a quick stroll in Muir Woods was in order.

So, we parked, walked to the entrance, and started walking through the grove closest to to entrance, down the path you see in the photo above.  I was chatting along, when I noticed that Mary was not replying, which was unusual.  I glanced over; there were tears streaming silently down her face.  I asked What's wrong Mary?  She looked at me, and replied I've dreamed of seeing this my whole life.  It was only at that point that I truly understood how special Muir Woods was.

So, in that vein, instead of choosing a landmark which I personally find special for me, allow me to show you the landmark that people dream of seeing their whole life:

Independence Hall

This is a photo of Independence Hall, here in Philadelphia.  On the left side of the doorway is the room in which the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were hammered out.  On the right side of the doorway is the room which was home to the United States Supreme Court from 1791 to 1800.

Philadelphians have the same kind of relationship with Independence Hall as I used to have with Muir Woods.  It's a big deal, but most haven't been there since a school trip as kids, or only go there with visitors from out of town.  I have seen the same type of reaction from visitors that I saw from Mary at Muir Woods.  Awestruck reverence.  There is a park square behind the Hall, where I sometimes go to sit with my boy.  Based on the number of Chinese tourists I see taking photos of each other outside the Hall, I believe that it is only a matter of time before that country shifts its style of governing.  (I suspect some will consider me naive for that view.)

I took my son in his stroller the first day it was open after September 11th.  The crowd was hushed as the ranger told the story of the history of the hall.  I got a bit annoyed as he paused pointedly whenever my son, in his two-year-old (shortly to be diagnosed autistic) exhuberance would cry out.  And as they restricted access and armed rangers, I got more annoyed.  As with most other things, the US government as it has been constituted in recent years cares more about ephemeral security than it does about actual independence.  In the words of Philadelphia's founding father:  Those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.

  It was in this building that modern liberty was born.  Stunted, distorted, not yet fully formed.  Not even yet.  But within these walls resides the historical promise of liberty for all.  Of the people, by the people, for the people.

Walkscore.com recently ranked America's most walkable neighborhoods and cities. Where does your hometown land in the rankings? And how much do you actually find yourself walking instead of driving?

My hometown of Philadelphia ranks fifth on the list.  More importantly, my neighborhood ranks tops in Philadelphia, with a 98 score.  Needless to say, I walk all the time.  I don't even own a car.

This is PhilADeli.  It has been an institution on South Street for as long as I can remember.  One of those places where you can order a sandwich, buy soda, beer, or snacks, sit down for a massive omelet, buy tokens, or pay your utilities.  It's where the cops go before, during, and after their beats.  I went there this morning to buy my tokens and my daily paper.  That's what I do, and have done, every morning for the last five years.

It's closed.  For good.  There's a sign in the window, with a picture of Porky Pig, saying "That's All Folks."  I showed up at the same time as one of the regular workers.  I guess he hadn't gotten the word.

South Street is a tourist/shopping area.  Nothing but shops, bars, and restaurants.  Locations turn over like flapjacks.  But not Philadeli.  Until now.  I'll have to get my tokens elsewhere.  I guess I'll have to get my paper at the 8-10 up a block.

No, not my Vox neighborhood.  The place I live.  Got this link from something a local friend sent me.  Doesn't show everything, but two of the shops are on my block, I ate at Famous last night, and I love the book store they visit.  There is also a brief glimpse of the AIDS thrift store I spend lots of money in.

Queen Village

Show us your lunch.
Submitted by Oink.

I love the Kingdom of Bad4U, otherwise known as Philadelphia.

Where do you consider home?  Is it the place you grew up; the place you're currently living?  Why is it home?
Submitted by uncagedbird. 

This is Penn's Landing, on the Delaware River, in Philadelphia.  My son and I go there just about every weekend, usually on Saturday.  My son is autistic, and does not always handle crowds well.  But on a Sunday morning, it's pretty quiet on the river.  Just a few couples, joggers, bicyclists, and people walking dogs.  Sometimes, we'll take the ferry which docks at the point shown above, and will cross to the Camden Aquarium.  Other times, we might board the Olympia or the Becuna.  The Olympia was the flagship of Admiral Dewey during the Battle of Manila Bay, from the decks of which he uttered the imortal words "You may fire when ready, Gridley."  The Becuna was a WWII submarine.  Both can be boarded for free on Sunday mornings.

After that, we might go to the Independence Seaport Museum, which is also free on Sunday mornings.

Then, after a peaceful half hour or so, just watching the water, we'll head off to the Phlash.

This trolley, for a dollar, will take you from Penn's Landing to the Art Museum, and back.  On the way, it passes Independence Hall, Love Park, and the Rodin Museum.

    (Those are Rocky's steps).

Sometimes, we'll get off at Independence Hall, and sit behind the hall, next to Commodore Perry's statue.  Other times we'll go for ice cream.  On the way home, we might hit up the new farmers' market at Headhouse Square.

Look, I was born and raised in Northern California, and love it there.  But my home is Philadelphia.  A city easy to live in, easy to walk, with folks who are no fools, but treat you with the respect you deserve.  Maybe one day, I'll win the lottery, and choose to live elsewhere.  But for now, Philadelphia, with its world class orchestra and museums, the largest inner city park in the world, affordable housing costs, great restaurants, and wonderful people, will have to do.