city o love. Philadelphia, PA

the city o' love.
if you are looking for a little getaway or something other than the Liberty Bell and Art Museum, here is what i found off the beaten path. how? flew the best airline here... none other than Southwest Airlines! (http://www.southwest.com/) arriving 10 minutes early from Chicago Midway, cute flight attendants, quiet (just how i like it) yet full flight. I wish i worked for this airline!! The guy sitting next to me was a sleeping silver fox after 10 minutes of reading the new New Yorker. Should i date men over 50? - the thought crossed my mind.
"you can accidently leave your New Yorker," I smirked as he glanced in my direction upon landing. (I would give the landing a perfect 10)
"You want it?" he smiled.
"Did you get a chance to finish it?"
"yeah, here you go,"
"yesss!" geek on.. it's the little things in life. fo show! for the next flight.
Took the the shuttle to the Embassy Suites. (http://www.embassysuites.com/) center city. The friendly tattooed van driver was informative about my inquiries regarding directions and time on places to go. I had a million options. Should I visit the my old college near the Main Line to visit my favorite professors- at Eastern University (was Eastern College when I attended - http://www.eastern.edu/) remembering the cute little coffee shops and beautiful neighborhoods, Pie in the Sky (best pizza i could remember) surrounding the little township of Wayne and St. Davids. I could take the train perhaps. From 30th Street Station, Suburban, or Market East, a person can take th R5 towards Thorndale and get off at St. Davids. Or the Art Museum- walk around run up the stairs- just like Rocky! and then walk or run along the Schuylkill River. OR maybe go to an adult ballet class at Karesh Dance Company (http://www.koreshdance.org/). They also offer modern dance and yoga classes. I only had about 20 hours total of free time to do whatever i so desired. I decided going to my old college without forewarning my professors might be a little much and would probably be better for another trip to Philly.

I decided to call my friend from my college daze in hopes of seeing her. A plan was in motion but she had to finish work. me.... i had to nap... food, a walk, coffee, etc..

The super friendly customer service at Embassy Suites makes me happy. I deal with A LOT of hotels. My room- a suite. duh! i guess the word is in the title. With microwave and fridge.

oh yeah, remember when in Philly - instead of using the "t h" blend use the /f/ sound. "free more stops" really means '3 more stops'. Instead of "ya'll" its "you's guys!" if you are a woman you may want to lower your voice to blend in with the locals. And don't take it too seriously if people seem overly agressive, blunt, or sarcastic- that's just how it is here. If i didn't know better i might get my feelins hurt bein a Kentucky gal, but i know better and makes me want to sing "don't tell me this town aint got no heart.... when I can hear it beat out loud.... wooo!" (from song Shakedown Street - Grateful Dead- lyrics by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter) .

So after the nap, i woke up craving pizza and began my journey. Down to the front desk where the very nice women helped me with my map from the lobby. La Scala, (http://www.lascalasphilly.com/) downstairs in the food court of the Comcast Center was recommended this is walking distance behind the Embassy Suites. I ordered a slice of the 'pizza of the day' (Italian sausage and pepperoni) the best pizza i had in a long time. Brickoven. Got it to go because of the 70 degrees beautiful day weather and the tables and chairs outside around the building. Philadelphia pizza... i tell you what.. yummmm meee. a coffee shop is also out there too, but i decided to wait for my second dose of caffeine for the day.

Then I proceded to walk to Karesh Dance studio on 2oth and Chestnut. I walked down 18th street, took a right onto Chestnut where i stumbled upon a used bookstore- Whodunit? (http://www.whodunitphilly.com/) My eye was caught by the VHS of Casablanca (since i still only own a vcr and no dvd player) and Carl Jung- Dreams. The smell of old books and the familiar instrumental of Love Walked In (George Gershwin) played as i stepped into the bookstore. It was totally romantic! I loved this date i was having with myself, so i picked up one more book and settled up. THis place- GOOD JUJU!!! not to mention some nice conversaion with a local. Still on Chestnut was a gallery with a bunch of robots, maybe a robot army staring at me in the window at sunking gallery- appt. only!! and across the street to Karesh Dance Studio where i was greeted with a schedule. and next door and Utrecht Art (http://www.utrechtart.com/) supply store in which i was reminded to buy a sketchbook.

Instead of taking the R8 toward Chestnut Hill, my long lost friend was ever so gracious to pick me up at the hotel and show me her neighborhood where we ate dinner at the Chestnut Hill Hotel Sidewalk Cafe (http://www.chestnuthillhotel.com/). The Pear and Gargonzola salad was tasty and i would rate the ambiance with a VAVAVOOM! the sidewalk cafe was the idea place for two old pals to catch up on the past 15 years. I also noticed a farmers market next door and the street full of shops and galleries. This street reminded me of an upscale, dressed up with pearls version of Frankfort Ave. (Louisville, KY)- http://www.fatfridayhop.org/ but that's for another blog perhaps on Sept. 25th, the next F.A.T. Friday where you can take the trolley, taste wine, hop around galleries, restaurants and shops - that one's for my peeps... my homies in louvull, KY. until then...

Anyway... there's lots to do in this big city. have fun! Vroom vroom