It Was Sunny in Philadelphia

I feel like I really "get" that whole "working for the weekend" sometimes, especially when I have wonderful, fabulous (long!) weekends and come back to the grind on a gray and rainy day like today. Baker Street Pub on the East side, fabulous dinner on the West side, hanging our tails between our legs in a Packers/Giants game, late night pho and bubble tea in Queens, and (the kicker) the day trip to Philadelphia with Jayna!!

I have been so disappointed in myself that I never made it to Philadelphia sooner since it's even closer than Boston, but I don't really have any connections there and couldn't seem to get anyone on board to go with me. That is... until NOW. Jayna brought her car back from DC and we decided to take our free Monday to ROAD TRIP IT! to Philly. I spent the night at her place and we leisurely got up, ready, and on the road. The worst part was just getting out of the city, but we did have beautiful views of Manhattan, such as this one across the Williamsburg Bridge from Brooklyn



Nothing like driving, talking, stopping for gas and coffee and capturing the road signs.



We got into the inner city, parked, and just started a-walkin'! We were in the shopping district and were about the turn around before we spotted a park and figured we might as well check out. We alternated our statue pictures





After this we went down Market to the historical district, but not before stopping in to get some Philly cheesesteak sandwiches! When in Rome...! Philadelphia is quite proud of their history and had signs everywhere telling you what happened, at just about, oh every 5 feet. Suffice is to say that something historical happened everywhere in that damn town.



Now the difference between me and Jayna (who grew up in Germany) is that she didn't know much American history, but didn't pretend to either. I pretended to know it, but I don't think I actually did. I would offer up explanations but then they didn't sound right and so I second guessed everything I said, and in the end I gave up and stopped trying to explain anything. Lolololol. Here was me at the Liberty Bell.



And this was Jayna making fun of my picture and trying to imitate it. Let's just say that my face will not be mocked!



Independence Hall and Plaza was so quaint and cute. It really helped that the day was so beautiful (and SUNNY!)









There are two things I'm obsessed with when it comes to Philadelphia: Ben Franklin (Thank you, "Ben Franklin" episode of The Office!) and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. We didn't quite make it to Ben Franklin's grave, even though the whole city is just Franklin'ed out, but this statue made me happy. And happy birthday to Ben Franklin TODAY!



(That is NOT the real Ben Franklin. I am 99% sure.)

Aaaaaand as for Always Sunny, Jayna and I looked it up like the great little toruists we were, to our disappointment learning that it's all on a soundstage in LA (is nothing sacred anymore?!) BUT came to find that Mac and Dee actually did buy a pub in real life, calling it Mac's Tavern, and was right around the corner from where we were. It was only appropriate to stop in for a drink. You know, because Philly has over 200 years of American history and it's our civic duty to seek out the pop culture Philly references that have surfaced in the last 5.



Inside was pretty cool and all Always Sunny'ed out and lots of their own personal pictures in the place. Not bad. We followed the historical district down to the riverfront at the Delaware River



They have a small Chinatown, lots of history, but overall a nice skyline of historical and modern buildings which is neat to look at



There was also this plaza in front of city hall with all these game pieces everywhere. Dominos, checkers, chess pieces, the tokens from Monopoly... it was really cool but I have no idea why it was there. Unless Mattel owned that building or something? But there was no indication of this sooooo who the hell knows





We saw a picture of this LOVE Sign, which you may recognize from New York, but the new York one is substantially bigger than I am, and is just randomly on a street corner. This whole park was called the LOVE Plaza, and the sculpture practically fit in my hand. Ohhhh Philadelphia.



I had such a nice day and was so happy to finally visit Philadelphia and actually, it was my first time in Pennsylvania too. Next trip I'll climb those Rocky Steps... assuming of course that those aren't hidden somewhere on an LA soundstage next to Paddy's Pub.