An Adventure
I have been working hard this summer with my classes and babysitting. I had lamented the fact that I would finish my classes, go camping, and then it would be time to get ready for school- not much of a summer break for me. Hub listened. He also remembered that I'd said I'd love to someday go on a solo adventure.
On Thursday, he told me we were going to lunch but instead he dropped me off at the bus station with a ticket to Philadelphia!!! He and Lydia had planned a little adventure for me. It involved numbered envelopes, gift cards, and reservations. IT WAS AWESOME!
Even though I was only an hour away, it was miles away in other terms. I was able to do what I wanted and go wherever I pleased. I could linger or rush, wander or people watch. Here's a little pictorial of my super secret trek.
My hotel was across the street from City Hall which has some awesome architecture and statuary.
I LOVED the pillows on the bed! Eight pillows all to myself! I checked in and then took my camera out to wander the streets and take some photos. I stopped at Border's and purchased Wreck This Journal and a set of colored pencils. Hub had done a great job of packing but I didn't have anything to draw or journal with. After wondering a few blocks and stopping by the Reading Terminal Market to people watch and have a snack. I found a great store that sold design products. I bought some gifts and headed off to dinner at Maggiano's Little Italy where I had the most delicious 4 cheese ravioli with pesto-alfredo cream sauce. Yum. I went back to my hotel room and relxed watching the finale of SYTYCD. I wanted Twitch to win but was happy for Josh. Then I snuggled with my pillows for a great night's sleep.
The next morning, I got up, had breakfast at my hotel and walked to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The first exhibit I visited was Rhythms of India: The Art of Nandalal Bose. It was really interesting and I loved the colors. These are a few of my favorite pieces from the museum.
I had lunch at the Museum Cafe and actually took a picture of my delicious lunch since I know bloggers are supposed to do that kind of stuff ;) I had Mediterranean Flatbread with grilled chicken and feta. Double Yum.
I spend the whole morning and part of the afternoon wandering the museum grounds. Then I walked back to my hotel to freshen up for my dinner plans. I was excited to visit South Street as it had been a long time (almost 20 years!) since I'd been there. I knew I wanted to visit the Magic Gardens and was excited as I walked up to it. It cost a wopping $3 to get in! Here are some pictures of this wondrous life work.
Other than this amazing installation, South Street sucked! It was really much different than I remembered. There were too many rundown/boarded up buildings, a lot of trash, and crappy stores. I walked so far down South Street looking for something good that it took me a long time to get back to my hotel. I ended up walking through the historic area. I had been there before as a chaperone but this time there was no schedule and I could wander at will. I stopped at a coffeeshop on the way back and grabbed dinner.
The next morning, I woke up and went back to the historical area to visit the Liberty Bell. It really is very inspirational, but my adventure was about to end. I packed, checked out, and caught my bus back home. My adventure over but my mind, body, and soul refreshed.
Here are my favorite self-portraits from the trip.
It was the best present ever. really.
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