Waxing Nostaligic

My trip to Philadelphia was bittersweet. Although it was nostalgic in every way possible, it was also very weird. My sweetie & I felt like tourists but not tourists. We lived there for eight years, both as students in art school and as newlyweds. We knew our way around, yet so many things had changed in our old neighborhood. We managed to plan our trip so effectively that we saw everything mostly in one day. That's the great thing about Philly, it has all the things NYC has but it doesn't overwhelm you. It's completely manageable. O.K. enough of my waxing...now for the pictures...

We used the GPS this time (like we didn't know where we were going?) and happened to find a new way into the city. We always go 287 to NJ Turnpike, which feels like an eternity...the GPS had us take 202 to I95. We ended up gaining 40 minutes which was great but we didn't take the Ben Franklin bridge into the city. There is something about driving over the bridge and seeing the skyline that gives me butterflies. So, these pictures are of the view driving into the city from the side basically.

This is the view of the city from our hotel room during the day...

and night.

What changes happened in our old neighborhood over the past six years you ask? Well, the church was knocked down and now there's a parking lot (isn't there a song about this?).

The Art Museum Diner, where we often had Sunday breakfast...

is now a pizza place.

Thank goodness some things stay the same. Our favorite used book store, Book Haven is still there. The owner remembered us after such a long time away.

Our favorite restaurant, Bridgid's, is still there. It doesn't look like much from the outside but I swear this is a place that doesn't disappoint (North 24th st.).

Philadelphia is a city known for their murals. Here are a few examples...

A mural on the avenue of the arts.

A mural on Market Street.

A mural on Rodman Street.

A mosaic that has everything in it...from pottery to mirror pieces. Not only is the building covered but so is the court yard. This is a must see (10th & South).

Philly also has great sculpture...
From Alexander Calder...

to Claes Oldenburg...

As if touring the city all day and taking in great art wasn't enough, we also managed to catch one of the best concerts I've ever seen...the Dandy Warhol's...

The next day I went to two local yarn stores, Rosie's Yarn Cellar (20th/Locust st) & Loop (19th/south st)

and finished off our visit by eating the best cheese steak in Philly, at Jim's steaks on 4th & South

and strolling famous South Street. If you're looking for something, you'll find it here...

Philadelphia is such a great city and it will always hold a special place in my heart. There of course is so much more to see. The next time we visit, we plan to do all the museums. If you've never been, then obviously you would also need to do all the historic sites like Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House and Boat House Row, to name just a few.

Until the next time Philly...