I have never really been to Philadelphia. As a child, when we first moved to the States, we moved to Levittown, near Philadelphia, but my brothers and I were too young to remember going into the city. I can’t say I have really seen the Liberty Bell, eaten at a Philadelphia deli, visited Independence Hall, walked through the galleries of the Philadelphia Museum of Art or seen the statue of Ben Franklin.
Many years later, I did arrive to Penn Station where family friends picked me up and took me to their home in Reading, PA. As I recall, I saw their son perform in a high school production of “Damn Yankees.” Then, they took me back to the train station, rode on what they called the “Sure-kill” expressway (Schuylkill expressway) and I proceeded to New York, my final destination where I participated in a seminar at Columbia.
Last week I flew into Philadelphia and once again I missed it, if the definition of visiting Philadelphia is taking a look at the Liberty Bell and the other above mentioned sites. I was there on business. I flew into the Philadelphia airport, rode along the Delaware River, crossed the same bridge my dad used to take over the Delaware River to Trenton back in the day when we lived in PA and he worked in NJ. I did see the beautiful old Benjamin Franklin bridge illuminated at around 11:00 PM. My destination was not Philadelphia but a small town in NJ not far from Princeton. I saw a lot of green…no wonder NJ is called the Garden State.
No, I haven’t really seen Philadelphia, but that doesn’t diminish the memory of having lived in its environs, visited friends who safely welcomed me and helped me continue my journey from Detroit to NY and most recently I returned to work with colleagues on a job I love. It was even Spanish related. Go figure.
Have any of you really seen Philadelphia?
btw As our plane flew away and I took in so many waterways along the East coast, I waved to you all who live along the Atlantic.
That was you waving, Georgette? I couldn’t quite see you.
I spent a day in Philadelphia once. It’s a nice small city, but it gets lost between NYC and DC. Sad.
I’ve been gone for a while. Business took me away and when my three consulting projects converge in one week…on my, there was no time for blogging. But yes, that was me waving and keeping my blogging friends in mind.
I’ve never been to Philadelphia, although I annoyed my “second mom” when I once asked her, “Are you from Philly?”
“Yes . . . and, until now, I thought I’d gotten read of all the speech indicators I’m from there.”
🙂
The feeling of this post reminds me of my much shorter time in England. I was there for only a week; the little bits I saw were between my sister’s house and the post office (she was moving back to the States), leaving me able to say I’ve visited England without really having the feeling of visited it.
Deb, I can relate. It takes a lifetime to make return visits as we fold them into our years. The return visits are powerful connectors as references are made in our culture (novels, film, the news, etc.) to that place where we’ve been but are still getting to know. After some time we can add it all up and perhaps say “I’ve been there.”
I’ve never seen American let alone Philadelphia!
Your post reminds me of people I’ve known who have moved from an urban environment to live by the sea and then haven’t gone to the beach!
Val, that makes an interesting point, too. There it is, we’re there and still we don’t see it. My husband does know the wife of a very good friend, born and raised in AZ (they still live there) who has never been to the Grand Canyon. Life happens, I guess.
My experience is very similar to yours. I’ve passed through Philadelphia on business trips but that’s about it. Your post makes me think it’s time for a more extended visit.
Lynne, I hope you have the opportunity to see more of whatever you would be inclined to visit in Philadelphia. I feel we know DC, we took the girls several times, and my brother and sister continually add venues to our experiences, but it occurs to me I don’t know Philadelphia like other cities I have visited. Now, that the girls are out of the house, perhaps we can fill in those gaps…some day.
Oh, I wonder if you passed over our house? I’ve never really been to Philly either; we changed planes at their airport there once, but I don’t think that counts!
hmmm…I’m with you. I’m not so sure I can claim to “know” Philadelphia, but I hope to return and add to the memories. Aboard the plane, there were so many waterways below us and I wondered if you were looking at the same sunset I was at 8:30 – 9:00 PM. 🙂
i can’t say that i’ve ever been there (allentown, pa is about the closest), but you gave it a very friendly ‘feel’ in this post. 🙂
Allentown is not far…about an hour north. All in all, it’s about relationships I think that take time and experiences. Maybe deep down I avoid the big city.
I’ve never been there, but I have been about an hour or so away.
I’m finding out a lot of folks haven’t. We “know” so many places virtually, through novels, film and television. Still being there physically makes a powerful connection to store information about it.
I could’ve sworn I saw you wave when you flew back into Houston!! You may never have seen Philadelphia, but you’ve certainly seen a lot & experienced a lot of fantastic things in your life, my friend … I just love reading your posts & feeling a part of your journey through life.
I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you keep up with these readings. I am so very glad our paths crossed again. Love you, friend.
I love reading your blog & I, too, am so glad our paths have crossed again. You’re a treasured friend & I love you dearly!
That’s where I was last week. It was a great trip, but unfortunately no time for sight-seeing. We’ll have to get together soon. More catching up to do.
Hi Georgette, I’ve been lucky to see all of the things you mentioned in your first paragraph and more! My in-laws live in the area; we take the kids to see their grandparents quite a bit. We’ve also been to the Reading Terminal which is lots of fun, and a good place to go if you don’t have much time, but want something fun to do (and eat). And some other museums — and there’s always more to see! Maybe your next business trip will give you a bit of free time to explore. 🙂 Hope you are having a wonderful summer!
Having a great summer, Melissa. How about you? We’re waiting on grandbaby #2 by the end of the month. 🙂 Enjoying the preparation, showers and all that goes with it.
About Philadelphia, I do know so many other places, but it occurred to me while flying into the airport, how little I know about the city. It will take my lifetime to fit in another trip there, I think. Thank you for visiting today.
Oooh! So exciting! Many happy wishes for the upcoming arrival of grandbaby #2! 🙂 And as for not seeing much of Philly, you know, sometimes it’s best to wonder. Don’t you think? Sometimes things are even more grand in our imaginations than in real life.
I’ll be writing about some more places I haven’t been to, and that will be exactly my point. One’s heart can be there, while not be there physically.
btw grandbaby will be a BOY! My husband and I laugh because we raised girls and now both grandsons will be boys.
My parents felt the same way when my son was born (they raised two girls). 🙂 And my in-laws felt the same when my daughter was born (they raised two boys). It’s an exciting time for your family, and they are lucky little babies to have a grandma like you!
Haha…what fun for both sides of the family! Love it!
I’m another who hasn’t really “seen” Philadelphia – at least in the historic, Liberty Bell sense of it. I have been in the neighborhood, though – South Philly and North Camden. As you probably can imagine, it was rather a different kind of visit. I’ve been to Princeton, too, and enjoyed that tremendously, although it involved business and a meeting with some very…. interesting…. folks.
It’s quite interesting for me to look back on those trips now. I had quite an opportunity before me, and turned it down on pure instinct. Now, I know that I made the right decision, and have no regrets.
If I do get back to Philadelphia, I believe I’ll go the tourist route this itme. Oh – and have a good cheese steak, too!
Linda, I often wonder if I had stayed in the midwest after undergraduate school, or gone east or west, how my life would have been very different. Like you, I have no regrets and feel so blessed to have enjoyed my career and raising family in TX. I will get back to Philadelphia as my sister is in DC…we could plan a day trip.
I was a bit disappointed that my schedule is so busy now that I couldn’t possibly fit in meeting some of our Eastern blogging friends. But then kind of like not quite knowing Philadelphia, I rather like the correspondence we share without knowing everyone physically and in real life…although I can’t deny it, it would be exciting. PS I’m sorry I’m behind in my reading…I will visit this afternoon or tomorrow when finally I have a breather from work-related projects. I’m so intrigued to read about your “chicken.”
You know apologies never are needed. If I’m going to be so foolish as to write long blog posts, I need to give people a week or more to actually read the danged things – and I’ll never, ever feel bady if someone doesn’t have the time to read at all. Besides, they’re not time-sensitive. You could read about my chickens six months from now, and it wouldn’t make a bit of difference!
I love your blog. It’s always worth the time for its unique and well-developed story. I love your ability to take whatever – the ordinary, hardly thought about, must be thought about and make it well worth our time. You give grace to every post, wield humor effortlessly, and your deep respect for all your characters is notable. Now, I will go over and visit your place as your post reminds me of that crazy camp song “Boom, boom ain’t it great to be crazy?” about a chicken laying a hard boiled egg.
Georgette, I am so disappointed for you! Philadelphia is such a wonderful city. At some point you must plan a trip just to see the city and eat a cheese steak.
Carol, I will try to make it with my sister or brother in the future as they live in the DC area. We could make a day trip. Right now it’s difficult to find time as my life is scheduled in semesters including summer school, then grand baby coming…it will happen…later if not sooner. Cheese steak sounds very interesting in comparison to TX beef steaks.
I’ve never been there too but your post gives me a reason to try seeing this place in the future. Beautiful post!
Your posts of the Philippines inspire me to travel East! I’m glad you enjoyed this little reflection about places not really seen.
I’ve also never been there. The closest I’ve come to Philly is a weekend at friend’s cottage in S. Pennsylvania – cant remember the name of the area. My friend lives in NYC and it was a beautiful scenic drive to the cottage.
Very impressed that you’re doing consulting work Georgette 🙂
I can just imagine driving from NYC to a scenic cottage. Interesting how everything is so very close back East — DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, NY, Boston. In TX it’s hours to get anywhere.
I have been very blessed with the projects I work on after being full time in the classroom. To travel because of them is an added blessing.
Been to Philly, worth seeing, especially Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. BUT, since I’m a little biased, I must say the beautiful city on the OTHER side of the state is better. 😉
I bet the view from Three Rivers Stadium is amazing! Love the mountain towns outside of your city.
Our youngest was born in a suburb of Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, so we went to Philadelphia many times. We took the kids to the zoo and the Franklin Institute, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, and we loved the art museum. Every time we watch Rocky and see him standing atop the museum’s steps, we get a little nostalgic. Love that area. We’re actually going there for several days in September and staying downtown because George has a conference there. I’m super excited!
Oh, you’ll have to post about that. That is exciting. It’s such an historical city. I knew Rocky was filmed there, but didn’t know the famous steps were from the museum. Little by little, I fill in the gaps. btw My sister was born in lower Bucks County while the other 3 of us in Mexico.
No, I haven’t been to Philadelphia, but have you been to Spuzzum, British Columbia? Okay, I know, there’s no connection, but since I’m Canadian I had to come up with something!
Am still terribly busy with life and it’s like home coming back to blog reading. Was helping at an anti-Monsanto event – on a fabulous local farm that is totally organic. I’m left with hope…
“If you haven’t been to Spuzzum, you ain’t been anywhere” is the repeating chorus of a song back in the 80’s. According to wikipedia it’s 50 km north of Hope and referred to as “beyond Hope” with a sign saying “You are entering Spuzzum” on one side and and “You are now leaving Spuzzum” on the other. Thank you for the chuckle. I did recognize my grandmother’s island in southeastern Alaska on a map of this Pacific Northwestern town.
This post about never really having been to Philadelphia was the first in a series of places I haven’t been to, or really been to but still have influenced me over the years. One reader who has traveled quite a bit commented, the series made her think that perhaps everything we really need is in our own backyard.
Your work makes me confess, I wish I were in control enough of my life to grow things organically at the farm, but I can’t say I do. That is my dream and I hope to some day.
I was there a dozen years ago. That Liberty Bell was a disappointment. I thought it would be as big as a house. But on the other hand what it represents would overshadow the greatest castle.
Thanks for dropping in Carl. I think Philadelphia would have been a great field trip from Miami.
Shrimp boats got bigger bells.
Still ticked off about that little bell, huh?