Pennsylvania, U.S.A. – Monday, July 16th & Wednesday, July 18th, 2012
This way to the Reading Terminal Market. (Odd note, it's correctly pronounced as the color "Red-ing" rather than the activity "Read-ing".)
Reading Terminal Market. It reminded me vaguely of an American version of the night markets in Taiwan. Lots to see and eat here.
Final stop on the "Real Philadelphia" tour... Chinatown. We didn't do much here, the tour just sort of casually dispersed after dinner recommendations were made.
I went back to my hostel, where I was recommended a nearby European cafe for dinner. I ordered a wrap and a ridiculously huge quantity of fries (or pomme frites as I guess they call them) that I could barely eat half of.
No I was not yet done with walking tours yet. This one was offered by Apple Hostel, and was the only one that I would have to pay for, which was pretty much was just to offset the cost of the free beer. It's fun but cheap extras like these that make staying in hostels usually my preferred way to experience a city.
To be honest I don't really remember any of the stories, so the captions might be a little light along this tour.
That's our ghost host in the heels and orange short shorts. I don't think her apparel was selected to match the theme of the tour, but she actually did a quite good job relating the stories.
Silhouettes over Philly
Many of the people who once walked through that door are now dead.
Greek Revival
Notice those two windows in the middle are off-set by a half floor. This building must be hiding something.
So, I've been on several ghost tours in different cities and none of them really thrill me. I'm not sure if other people who go on them to really believe these stories to be real, or if everyone enjoys it ironically, like the Jungle Cruise.
What I enjoy about ghost tours is the storytelling and getting to see a city from a different perspective after dark.
Many ghost tour stories have a part that goes something like: "Look at this one little detail and you'll notice..."
Usually those details are pretty bogus as a supernatural device, but it does force you to stop and closely observe the many small details that define a city.
This is the Powel House. Many parties were once hosted at this house for Pennsylvanian elite, and now many ghosts still linger, including General Lafayette and Ben Arnold's wife, Peggy Shippen.
We didn't see any ghosts, but it is a great neighborhood to visit during the twilight hour.
Starting to get creepier.
A cemetery because, you know, ghosts.
Why are ghosts so attracted to clichés? Can't they try haunting a beachfront condominium for a change?
I believe this was Christ Church cemetery and Ben Franklin's tomb, because, despite how busy he was in his life, obviously Franklin's ghost still has unfinished business to do around Philadelphia.
Dead Americans
Coat of Arms for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Argent, on a pile azure a star in chief of the field, the pile debruised by a fess sable, thereon three plates each charged with a cross gules.
Stained glass
More dead people.
Contrast between tradition and modernity.
Sometimes the lamps flicker during the tour for some unknown reason, but they weren't cooperating with us tonight.
Independence Hall after hours.
Time to call it a night. Thanks Philadelphia, you've been great!
I’ve read all of this 9 pages photo journal. Some photos look familiar to me though I’ve never been there. I love the scattered ironic humor of your writing style. I wanted to visit the city, anyway, I’ll have chance. Thanks for sharing! I love you~