Philadelphia

Arrived in Philadelphia yesterday afternoon. The hostel we're staying in is called Apple Hostel - it's in an excellent location, just a few blocks from Independence Hall.  We arrived just in time for a free pasta dinner (woo hoo)! Went to a couple of pubs last night (one had karaoke) but decided to head back early as we only have one full day here and we want to make the most of it.



Philadelphia is really nice - many old buildings and historical icons remain in the city today. Spent the morning wandering the streets and saw Betsy Ross' House (she's credited with making the first American flag), Elfreth's Alley (one of the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the country) and the Christ Church (where Benjamin Franklin is buried). Later on we went to the Independence National Historical Park and saw both the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (Independence Hall is where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were drafted and signed). After that Kerry headed back to the hostel and I headed up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to see City Hall, the Love Park and Logan Square. By the time I got to the Museum of Art it was 4pm and there was no way I'd have enough time to view the gallaries BUT...I did manage to get a picture of the outside steps which were used in the film Rocky (yes THOSE steps). I thought that was pretty cool!!!


So that was my day in Philly! I managed to do all this in the pouring rain AND find time to eat a cheesesteak (at Jim's, one of the best in the city). What an accomplishment :)