Ben Franklin's town

 

Philadelphia, the birthplace of America. To me, it was an interesting mix of the historic and the gritty. Like Rocky Balboa running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

 

Philadelphia Museum of Art. I would've run up the steps like Rocky did, but it was closed for a private event that day.
...gonna fly now....gonna fly now....

Independence Hall. I took the tour, excited to see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Found out after the tour ended that those two documents are now kept in Washington DC!

Where it all happened. The room in Independence Hall where the state delegates birthed America. Honestly, it was a small room. I wonder if the got any cheesesteak delivered.

Rodin's The Thinker, at the Rodin Museum. Philly would've been my 67th guess for the city that The Thinker was in, but here it is.
 

Reading Market. A cool place with a ton of eateries. Seemed like many of them were German or Dutch or Amish. I had some Dienner's BBQ chicken wings. They reminded me of how my mom makes chicken wings.

Nice buns.

Liberty Bell. This bell is a symbol of freedom throughout the world, but the visitor's queue was too long for me. I peeked in through a side window to catch a glimpse.

Are we back in New Orleans? A wedding marched through the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood.

Another wedding! This one in the historic buildings near Independence Hall. I wish both couples a long and wonderful marriage.

I had Pat's cheesesteak, with cheez whiz and grilled onions. The cheesesteak was delicious, even though there is probably no way it could ever match the hype it gets.

Street fair in Philly's Italian neighborhood (I think it is the south side, heading down 9th St). I had an Italian sausage sandwich, with peppers and onions. So good. Walking down this street (and also South St) also made me realize how close Philadelphia is to New Jersey.



All you need is love.