Art in Philadelphia

We were fortunate to have the chance to visit several places containing art. Within Philly it is varied and beautiful, along with historic and long-lasting.

The first place we found some amazing art was in the Curtis Center lobby. There stands the 100 year old Tiffany mural, Dream Garden, installed in 1916, and based off of a landscape painting by Maxfield Parrish. Using Tiffany glass the design covers a 15' by 49' wall in the back of the lobby, and is strikingly lit for maximum viewing.

Secondly, we visited the Magic Garden. Local artist Isaiah Zagar lived in the property next door and started collecting materials and creating his artwork all over the empty lot next to it. When the landowner wanted to sell the property and came to visit he discovered Isaiah's artwork and asked him to remove it all. Instead Isaiah was able to raise the money to buy the property (at an exorbitant price) in order to maintain and display his art.

Although we did not get a chance to explore the whole area due to rain, I would go back again and again to walk through the art!

Lastly, we attended music Friday at the Philadelphia Art Museum. For the regular price of entry there is a live band and catered food and drinks (for an extra cost), plus access to the galleries until 8:45pm. As a bonus, the ticket includes 2-day admission to the museum and others nearby.

We ate some dinner, listened to music, and drank a bit of wine. Afterwards, we spent about an hour wandering through just one part of the very large museum. Lucky me got to see Van Gogh's Sunflowers!

There are several other art museums that we did not have time to see, but based on what we could visit I would guess that there is a lot of great artwork abounding in this city.

Oh, I can not forget to mention the statue of Rocky Balboa outside the art museum: 

The Historical District of Philly

Throughout the week we could see Independence Hall and the building housing the Liberty Bell from our hotel window. On Tuesday we finally toured each.

The Liberty Bell is free to see and is held in a long building containing information on the history of the bell and uses throughout that time. Upon entering the building visitors are asked to walk through metal detectors, so in high times expect a wait, luckily winter is not a busy time, so we made it in the door within 5 minutes.

There is a volunteer historian standing around the bell to help answer questions and occasionally will start speaking to the crowd gathered to give some background on the bell. It was fascinating to learn that the bell really had no special beginnings, it was just a bell amongst many in the city. During the British occupation of 1777 it was hidden along with the other bells, outside the city so it was not melted down and used for musket balls. So, maybe that's the appeal of it all, humble beginnings to a great symbol of freedom and unity!

Through the back of the building one can view Independence Hall and if the lighting is right a nice picture of both can be captured.

After leaving the Liberty Bell we traveled across the street to view Independence Hall. It also provides a free tour, given by National Park rangers, and includes a walk through a metal detector.

Originally the hall was used as a courtroom and is still set up as such. Across from the small court room area is the hall where our Founding Fathers discussed, created, and signed the Declaration of Independence.

The infamous Sunrise chair is also located in this room. I posted a picture of myself sitting in the replica here.

There are other buildings on the premises as well, including the first rooms where the newly created Congress and House met. It is amazing to think that so many influential men walked those halls and built a country from the ground up.

Edgar Allan Poe's ties to Philadelphia

While planning our trip to Philadelphia I discovered that Edgar Allan Poe spent about 6 years in Philadelphia writing and editing magazines. He lived in 5 different places and one of those has been set aside to honor him.

Although nothing remains of Poe in the house itself it has been a way for Philadelphia to remember what he did while staying in the city. His wife and mother-in-law where also with him during this time.

The house is unrestored, but is stable enough to tour and get a feel for what each room was used for and who may have slept in each bedroom. The cellar is also a creepy place to visit as it inspired the short story, "The Black Cat."

Poe also wrote many other tales while living in Philadelphia (list courtesy of http://www.ushistory.org/tour/edgar-allan-poe-house.htm)

Monday Funday in the City of Brotherly Love

Our second full day in Philadelphia brought up to Reading Terminal Market and the Museum of the American Revolution.

Several people told us to head the Market with empty stomachs because there is so much to eat, so we figured that would be our first stop after a late morning at the hotel.

Walking the three-quarter mile to the Reading Terminal Market (pronounced Redding) we built up even more of an appetite. Our first goal was walk the market and scope out possible locations for the best food. Shortly we realized there is no "Best" food because it all looked amazing. Why not start with some Stromboli, then head over to find some other snacks, homemade Amish pickles to be exact!

One pretzel deli sells the elusive Surge soda

Toss in a few donuts, a whoopee pie, and a handful of chocolates from Mueller's (for the folks back home, of course!) and that seemed to round out our trip in the market. It only took 3 hours to consume it all and feel satisfied to leave for the day. Knowing we could come back later in the week as our hotel will be only a block away.

Whoopee Pie

Our next stop was the Museum of the American Revolution. What drew me in would be the prospect of seeing George Washington's actual tent used towards the end of the war. Then, what did I do? Spent too much time in the rest of the museum and ended up missing the whole presentation! My fault, but overall we really enjoyed the information and artifacts presented in the museum.

A sign at the Museum showing Eagles pride

Tearing down King George III's statue

The infamous sunrise chair (replica) sat in by Thomas Jefferson

Super Bowl Sunday in Philly

Green lights leading up to the City Building

When watching a Super Bowl it is difficult to know who is going to win - each team is usually well matched, and this year was no different. A few weeks ago, upon hearing that the Eagles would be a contender in the Super Bowl we knew we would be in for some fun! Eagles fans can be rowdy and passionate about their team, and they have never won a Super Bowl, so win or lose, something was going to happen in this city after the game.

As seen in a window across from our hotel

The hotel bar, Red Owl Tavern, had a few extra TVs set up for the game and we were able to secure a spot only an hour before kickoff. We ordered some drinks and settled in. Several groups of Eagles fans had already gathered and were eating or drinking preparing for the ride. I wore my Broncos jersey to show my interest in football and solidarity against Tom Brady.

The Eagles played really well and managed to pull it out at the end of the game. We watched as fans stood for the last few minutes and swelled to excitement as the clock ticked down to mark the end of the game - some people were starting to put on their jackets to take to the streets. Cheers erupted and several people ran out the door. We joined them just to see what was happening. Already, there was so much noise around us, we could a roar from several sides, people cheering and setting off fireworks, along with car horns honking up and down the street.

Cheering after an official review benefits the Eagles

We ran up to our hotel room and grabbed our jackets to join the festivities. The majority of the crowd was moving west towards the major thoroughfare of Broad Street. After a mile walk we found the crowd gathered - cheering, screaming, igniting fireworks, dancing, etc. whatever they could do to show their joy. Both of us were on alert for the mob mentality and the start of a riot, but the majority of people just seemed to be enjoying the moment, very little destruction was happening in our line of sight.

After 20 minutes we decided to walk back toward our hotel. Almost all the way, there and back, we ran into fans walking the street. It was quite an awesome site to see so many people united in a single cause. The news was reporting on several areas around Pennsylvania and the tri-state area that were holding rallies in the streets, still very little destruction was being reported on.

Congrats to the Philadelphia Eagles and their victory in the Super Bowl (and for beating Tom Brady), there's no thrill like seeing your team become the champions within their sport - cheers!!

The First Night in Philly - Feel the Love

Last February I had the chance to travel to Long Beach, CA for a conference. Later on, my boss said we could not afford to go to the 2018 conference, so, much to my surprise when she called me in November to ask if I was available for the 2018 conference I jumped at the chance! This year it is in Philadelphia and I have never been, so of course Thickblackglasses tagged along too, we booked flights a few days early and here's what happened in the first 12 hours:

Our first few days were booked at the Klimpton Hotel Monaco. The staff was really friendly while checking us in, and recommended 3 cheesesteaks restaurants right away. Ishkabbible, Jim's, and Geno's. Jim's and Ishkabbible are just a few steps from each other, and when we reach Jim's the line was out the door - always a good sign, but we were hungry, so we turned a stepped toward Ishkabbible. It is a small, unassuming place, but it was packed. We stepped in the door, found a place at the bar, which was a mere 2 feet from the grill, and ordered up a cheesesteak "provolone without" and "wiz with" (picking up some of the lingo in web guides) and some fries.

"Wiz with" means cheese wiz and onions

We watched the chef cook all the meats right in front of us then stack it on the typical roll. It was a delicious first taste of the city. Gooey, a tad under-seasoned, but fresh and the roll was soft. We dug in without any hesitation and finished the lot. The restaurant only has seating for about 9 people, and 6 seats were taken when we arrived, but people were coming and going in a constant stream during our half hour at the bar.

Stepping back into the street we started to walk in one direction to check out the area. After a few blocks we stumbled upon the Tattooed Mom, which Thickblackglasses had read about before our arrival, so of course we had to visit. Right in the door we found a more mellow, restaurant area that was artfully decorated. The doorman directed us upstairs to a more rowdy and packed atmosphere. We ordered drinks at the bar and found a place to stand and take in the sites. The walls are covered in stickers, graffiti, and other art, plus the music was up-tempo and dance inducing. Tired of standing we decided to check out the first floor, a bit more calm yet still fun we were able to find a table and take in the sites. Our table faced a window full of very cool art. The waiter brought us temporary tattoos, and a few little plastic toys to keep us busy.

After posting on social media about the place, my boss immediately responded that it looked awesome, so I told her we would come back when she arrives in town in a few days.

It was time to hit the street again and discover another bar, this one German themed, called Brauhaus Schmitz. The waitresses were clad in the typical German wench get up and the menu was almost fully in German (with hints of what type of beer it was), so we bellied up to the bar and ordered. You cannot enter an German establishment and not eat a pretzel, so a soft, buttery roll was soon set before us!

3 liters later it was time to hit the streets again. Our goal was the hotel, but we happened by a poutine restaurant. Drinks had made us hungry and poutine seemed to be the cure, so we wandered in and ordered the original. Chunks of cheese curd were drenched in gravy topping the fries. We dug in with a fork and devoured it. My Canadian friends had now idea Smoke's Poutinerie had establishments south of the border - good to know it's straight from Canada!

It was successful first night and we fell asleep excited for the week ahead of us!