Yes, Colby, there are ghosts in Philadelphia, lots and lots of them. As we browsed in a quaint little curio type shop on a small street in the middle of Philly, I saw the outline of a ghostly figure fold itself up, turn into a dark shadow and swirl around as it continued to float up through the middle of a brightly lit lampshade. At the moment you are being honored and given the privilege of being engulfed, you cannot share it. It is your spiritual excursion and only after the experience can you understand that you have been an eyewitness in the spiritual world.
Murals are Philadelphia’s way to combat graffiti.
Before I continue, I want to tell you about Awfully Nice Tours and a fellow named Andy. I was worried because I have a sore knee and wanted to be able to get around and see the city of Philadelphia, so I contacted Awfully Nice Tours. A most wonderful guide named Andy picked us up at our hotel and did not let us go until he showed us as many little nooks, crannies, as well as vital and significant places in Philadelphia. He also showed us places no one else has ever seen or so it seemed. He made the city come alive for us, and made it seem like we were the only and first visitors ever. How important is that? Thank you to Andy and Awfully Nice Tours.
We began in the historical district of Philadelphia, sat in Benjamin Franklin’s pew in Christ’s Church and wondered why such an important figure as Franklin did not sit up front with Washington. We were told that price determined your seating and Ben did not have as much money as George. Sound familiar?
Benjamin Franklin lies here.
We continued with our tour bringing us to Penn’s Landing at the base of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which spans the Delaware River. We grabbed a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich as we visited South Philly and the Italian market at closing time, a little late, but not too late to enjoy the cultural experience. We saw the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Washington Square, Ben’s gravesite, National Constitution Center, and The Mint.
We continued to Elfreth’s Alley: A National Historic Landmark, and the oldest continuously inhabited residential streets in the country. It dates back to 1702 and is a beautiful sight for eyes probing the city for ancient remnants of life gone by.
Betsy Ross House was especially wonderful in concept. Was it really her house? The idea is real and a special event in American History so as you pay your entrance fee you hope for truth and take what you get. What you get is a romp through a house full of furniture from the time period and the anticipation that the Betsy Ross impersonator is in the basement as promised. She was on her coffee break when we arrived.
Finally, towards the end of the day we were taken to the famous 72 Rocky steps, used in the last Rocky movie to symbolize that every man even the underdog can rise to the challenge. In my opinion, these steps are a modern cultural icon to achievement and success.
We drove by the new Barnes Art Museum, but since tickets are still by invitation only, we were only able to see what we could see from the car window as well as seeing the statue “The Thinker” in front of the Rodin Museum.
The meaning of the word Philadelphia is “loving people” and thus it became known as the City of Brotherly Love. We continued to learn that Quakers who exhibited high ideals founded the city. The high ideals of this city still remain supreme. We felt great pleasure being in Philadelphia and enjoyed the spirit of being swallowed up into the beginning history of America the Beautiful.
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