Summer Saturday in Philly

When I moved here I didn’t really know what to expect from Philly. I had heard about Philly cheese steaks and also that it is “the birthplace of America” but it honestly surprised me that it was right in the middle of NYC and Washington DC. I have been in here a handful of times by now, but today has been extraordinarily good. It has been perfect summer weather and I know my way around by now so I can venture a little further out from the center and still kind of know where I am at.

First stop today was Spruce Street Harbor Park, where they have set up a load of hammocks right by the river side:

And there were also food trucks and bars and floating islands in the water:

I really hope I get to go back here a warm summer night.

On the way back I had lunch at the Bourse. The fanciest food court I have ever seen in my life:

Where I got a dumpling sampler. I am such a sucker for dumplings and these were freshly made and GOOD!

I strolled back through old town to the very far end of Chinatown where there is a lantern festival going on. The lanterns get lit at night and you have to buy tickets to get in, but it was still worth a visit in the daytime:

I have been drinking bubble tea:

And I had a cappuccino on a sidewalk cafe

After which I walked out to Whole Foods right by all the museums to get a bottle of wine for tonight’s dinner with colleagues. Pennsylvania has had (and still has) a very strict alcohol policy and only few grocery stores sell it, but this Whole Foods is one of them. And I got a bottle of Pomelo white wine which will either be fantastic or an utter disaster. Time will tell!😬