Leaps of Faith

Skateboarders do their thing in Philly

For Freedom and Liberty, Ring!Ring!!Ring!!!

Philadelphia’s most photographed tourist attraction is probable the Liberty Bell. The bell has long been a symbol for liberties gained and liberties denied.

The first time we were supposed to view it was as a part of our East Coast tour with the in-laws. Sadly, due to some gaps in communication with the tour group, we missed it. The next time the Husband and I went, the viewing hours were over. We did get a peek though the glass though. Third time we were lucky. We made it into the Liberty Bell Center. The line to see the Liberty bell snakes all the way around the center. As with most US attractions that have long queues, there are pictures, facts, trivia and memorabilia along the way. Please note, touching the bell is prohibited. I wasn’t aware, and leaned in and touched it. The guard there promptly and politely shook his head.

There is another bell – a  2.1 scale replica of the bell was cast as Bicentennial gift from the American Legion. This bell is placed opposite the Union Station in Washington. This one you can touch.

Board-games and Cakes

If you love art, Philly is the place for you. The city has plenty of open to public art installations. Starting at the airport, it’s there’s a visual surprise at every turn. The crochet cakes by Melissa Maddonni Haims are the funnest bit of art I’ve come across. Whether you are dashing across the airport to make it to your flight, or simply waiting at the terminal for your flight to be announced, these cakes are bound to turn heads.Next door to the popular Love Fountain, is ‘Your Move’.  This installation  scatters super-sized board game pieces all across the Municipal Services Building plaza. Although you cannot move the pieces around, it is still fun to pose with them. 

Chocolate Cravings

The other night we drove out 45 mins to try the famous chocolate by the bald man at Philly. We made it just in time for the last order. We loved what we ordered so much, that we were quite disappointed when they said the kitchen had closed and they couldn’t take another order.

We went back another night. Philly, as always, was out of parking space. After circling around for a good half an hour, we decided to take out and eat it in the car. The Husband stayed in the car, while I went in to try our luck. I was expecting to get just milkshakes, so I was pleasantly surprised when they said I could get a sundae as take out. They built our yummy sundae into a plastic glass with a domed lid. The kind of glass, they give milkshakes in. The sauces/ toppings were packed separately in little containers. The whole thing was handed over to me in one of those cardboard cup-holder trays. I was impressed.

How were the sundae and the milkshake? They made our 45 min each way drive and the half an hour parking hunt quite worth it.

What’s for LUNCH?

Recently we tried two interesting food options, bento boxes and dimsums.

Running out of new lunch options in and around where we stay, we decided to try out a bento box place in Philly, and spend the rest of the day exploring the city. Finding Tampopo, was not difficult. Finding parking was!

The Vegetarian Box

Tampopo is a tiny Japanese and Korean eatery. I picked this place on account of it being vegetarian friendly. No waiting, no crowds, yet not deserted. Good food, reasonably priced.  I  was certainly not disappointed. The Husband however, felt let down seeing the no sushi sticker on their sushi menu.

The other place we tried was Ping Pong dimsum.

Dim Sum lunches

We entered quite by chance. We happened to be in the neighbourhood and walked in for the dim-sums.  I was pleasantly at the variety of vegetarian options they had. Though a little pricey, the food was good and the lunch was quite relaxing.

When I was working with the Taj group, in Colaba ( Mumbai, India), a place called All Stir Fry used to be one of our favourite lunch options. I am sure, if we were working around Ping Pong, it would have quickly become our lunch haunt.

What will keep us alive?

LOVE will keep us alive!

One of the places we visited this weekend was the LOVE Park in Philadelphia. This square, with its fountain and LOVE installation is popular with couples and skateboarders alike.

Salsa – The Night I danced with Strangers

Last Saturday we decided take in the sights and sample Philadelphia’s famous nightlife.

Our original choice, recommended by one of the Husband’s friends, opens quite late – well into the night by US standards. The next place we picked up at was oddly located right off the highway. Circling the block, we found a huge parking space behind. It turned out that that parking lot belonged to a casino and that illegally parked cars would be towed. Since there didn’t seem to be any mechanism to determine if you went to the casino or not I was all for parking, but the Husband felt otherwise.

The third place turned out to be a delightful surprise. Unknowingly we landed up at a salsa dancing club. We were just in time for the free lessons they offered prior to opening up the dance floor.

Everyone on the floor could dance to some degree, but there were some who were quite an act, both together and individually.

A few drinks down, armed with our newly acquired dancing skills we hit the dance floor for a fun night. I am a terrible dancer, and mostly keep away from the floor, so it was quite an experience for me. Not only did I dance with the Husband, I also dance with absolute strangers.

I don’t think I danced very well, but I know it’s going to make my mother thrilled  that I just danced!!

The last guy I danced with, turned out to be from Goa. He said he worked in the restaurant next door. He and his friends then directed us to another restaurant further down the road for some late night/really early morning grub.

That place turned out to be a hookah bar!