USA: Washington to Philadelphia

SEPTA Rail Map

The trip from Washington to Philadelphia would only take us just over a couple of hours and just when we were getting used to the efficient Washington subway system we had to learn another, the SEPTA, the 5th largest in the world. But hey!, that is part of our travel adventures and takes us out of our comfort zone. We have many more of these experiences to come ie. Boston and New York. We could feel the Panic Attacks setting in already – and here at least they speak English.  Hate to think what it will be like in Europe especially in Paris. Will deal with that hurdle later. 

Brotherly Love

Actually it worked out pretty well because the train stations were just across the road from the Greyhound (yes, more punishment), with lifts for our luggage, Yay !!  To say that the train trip was uneventful would be an understatement because there were 3 girls around 16-17 years old.  One of them was so bombed off her faced that when she stood up to get off the train she ended up falling face first into the arm rest, then hitting the floor. Her 2 mates weren't much better but managed to get her up, smiling at passengers all the while.  We were hoping this wouldn't be the norm in the city of Brotherly (and Sisterly) Love. 


At the other end of our train ride, Queen Lane Station was another story, with huge sets of stairs to scale with our luggage (Queen Lane - yes, I know, we are in the “City of Brotherly Love” for goodness sake. What do you expect?). 

Luggage and huge sets of stairs are the bain of every traveller’s existence and we were still far from getting used to it.

Typical Philadelphian House

Thankfully, Wally and Susan were there to meet us in their Mini Cooper – it was a little tight squeeze in the back but we made sure we fitted in regardless.  The house was a 3 story Philly style with internal staircases, lots of doors and Wally has an accounting office located on the first level.  He told us the house was built in the late 1800s and still featured the original woodwork, old bay windows, floorboards and tiles.  Its great having the experience of being in U.S homes for this reason. 

Wally was a really interesting person.  His background was American Indian of the Seneca nation, was vegetarian, and held Sacred meetings the first Monday of the month whereby a group would gather, share a meal and play traditional musical instruments in particular, drums.  We happened to be staying over on the first Monday of the month but because the house was so large the sound was minimal. http://senecaindians.com/

Wally had also been to Sydney some 12 months ago, so at least he could understand our accents (LOL) and could relate to the Aussie ways.

One piece of advice, and the best, Wally gave us was “don’t walk passed the corner that way”.  But being on a bus for a few hours and hungry, you could guess what we did.  We saw a little general store on the corner which sold a variety of food.  Down and across further was another which sold Pizza and Hoagies and other hot food.  So where did we go – straight to the Hoagies and Pizza.  The neighbourhood was just that “The HOOD”, Hip-Hop music playing loudly out of cars, sound of loud arguments from the houses, kids/teenagers milling around and as we wandered down the road we could feel the eyes on us (looking like we are real COOL and a swagger to our walk).  Must have worked because as soon as we got into that Little Pizza Shop of Hoagie Horrors we were greeted with HOLA, Buenos Tardes. Must have been Tony’s hat/cap at work again !! 

That shop sold just about everything, groceries and goods at the front and the food preparation at the back behind a big Perspex wall with only a small cut out to talk through and receive your order.  I’m wondering – How BAD is the food here??  When it was ready we high-tailed it that fast back to Wally’s we nearly broke the world sprint record.  

Little Pizza Shop of Hoagie Horrors



Hoagies by the way are just a roll, like Turkish bread with filling similar to a Subway. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine_sandwich

The crime rate is here is pretty high but we tried to ignore that fact altogether, and in fact not that different to any other place we visited, we just had to be mindful of our surroundings and watch out for each other.  But there were sirens going most of Saturday night and if you ever watched those old Elliot Ness Untouchables shows with the slow whineing sirens - it was exactly like that.

Over the next few days, a little more confident, we travelled by train into the main city centre to see the sites and attractions.  Firstly on the Sunday we ventured to the Barnes Museum and art gallery which was free on that particular day with a concert by an African American ensemble.   We just happened to visit at the right time and advice from Wally. 

We’d found the Reading Terminal Market where Philly Cheese Steaks & Hoagies are a must, but they are generally available throughout the whole Philadelphia area. These markets also house a place called Bazaare Chocolate, after seeing the signs, then what they sell, my craving for chocolate disappeared. Actually it hasn’t really come back. 

Choc coated Onions

Choc body parts

The main Philly attraction we wanted to see was of course the Liberty Bell

and although the line-up was huge it didn’t take long to move along.

The Liberty Bell

The waterfront along the Delaware River had to be seen because it sort of relates to Bruce Springsteen and the persona he portrays about Philadelphia.  And there are pictures of Philly’s famous son all over the city.  One of our stops was the United States Mint.   

US Mint, Philadelphia

This exhibition with touchscreens was really interesting and goes through how the US dollar evolved, the different government decisions relating to the economy and its effects, and how they destroy the old notes. Basically making them into confetti.  We were even given a couple of little sample bags of these, so during our down time I’m trying to piece together enough dollars to extend our travels overseas  !! 

Seriously though, you could imagine the security to get in here and everything we carried was searched and were swiped with a metal detector.  I was just disappointed I couldn’t take any photos of the $1M in $5 US notes contained in a glass box with laser security surrounding it.  No way did I want to even breathe around this one considering the security measures at the door; in fact I was even fearing to glance in the direction in case I set off the alarms.

The city’s historic little back streets were neat and although I didn’t think of the connection at the time, I snapped a photo of this plaque near Franklin Court as a dedication Benjamin Franklin.  It’s not until we get to Boston that we realise this connection.  In part it reads… Printer, Author, Inventor, Diplomat  etc. etc.

Benjamin Franklin Memorial Sign

On one of our trips to the city we ventured into a K-Mart and much the same as the Aussie ones they sell a variety of products, home furnishings etc.  So it took us by surprise to find this – FIREWORKS.  Would have been nice to turn up at the US Mint with some of these in my bag.

I hadn’t seen such a great deal of fireworks since they stopped Guy Fawkes Night/Cracker Night back in the 1960s (or was it 70s ?). They were the best nights and all the kids in the neighborhood would have competitions on who had the best fireworks on the night.  It was also a night to get revenge on the nasty neighbors and you could guarantee that the overgrown park around the corner would end up on fire.  It was the best and cheapest entertainment going until they banned fireworks altogether.

K-Mart Fireworks

Another thing that caught our eyes was on how tight the store security was in most shops. This type would certainly be a deterent.  Then, there was the lady at Philly RadioShack with the the longest, ugliest, awful nails we've even seen.  The nails were twisted and painted up with the brightest red nail polish. And to top it off she had a huge head of dread-locks to match.  If she was trying to attract attention she sure got it - not because of her nails or her hair - it was because she was so bloody rude to everyone she served.



Store security againt shoplifting

But that aside, there is just so much history in Philadelphia, and by this time I was itching to get to Atlantic City and get to my favourite hobby Roulette.  And the choice of Casinos in Atlantic City was endless, so are the beaches apparently.  We made a booking at Showboat, right on the Boardwalk and right next door to the newest casino, REVEL, only opened 6 weeks before.  Roll on Atlantic City, or should that be Roulette Atlantic City !!

Next blog about Atlantic City - from somewhere other than Atlantic City.  See ya!

Liz and Tony