Philadelphia and White Clay Park

Philadelphia

I've only ever been to the historic city of Philadelphia once before. But as I've grown fonder of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, I've wondered if there could be more to the city whose most famous landmark is the Liberty Bell. If Danny DeVito can make a Philly dive bar look like a blast, then I had some investigating to do. Our first stop was Redding Terminal, a former train station turned food warehouse. The vast open space was packed to the brim with people on Saturday afternoon--locals and tourists alike. The Terminal housed an overwhelming number of vendors. Whether you're looking for the quintessential Philly cheesesteak, flavored popcorn, or in my case, a hearty sandwich, Redding Terminal has a vendor for you. Or if you prefer some ethnic delight? Try the baklava at the Turkish vendor or the chicken tiki masala at the Indian stand. Personally, I had had enough with roaming around the Terminal and getting elbowed from all sides while trying to look for the perfect lunch. I decided to pick the first sandwich stand I saw next and grab a spot in the ever-lengthening lines. Lucky for me, the first sandwich vendor I spotted happened to be Hershel's East Side. My eyes were immediately attracted to the huge slabs of red meat glistening under heat lamps. I hadn't seen meat like that since France (the concept of "rare" seems to scare people in Delaware). Everyone seemed to be ordering the Reuben special (corn beef, sauerkraut and sharp swiss on grilled rye), but I went for the Corn Beef Special--a thickly-stacked sandwich of corn beef, cole slaw and sweet thousand island dressing on (what else?) Rye. I've never felt more American. Unfortunately, I could only eat half before my stomach started making sickly sounds and the pangs of too much corn beef started pounding against my rib cage. Of course I felt a bit weighty for the rest of the day while walking around Philly, but I'm guessing that's how they want you to feel. You're not supposed to feel healthy after trying to local speciality. After all, a cheesesteak is no cobb salad. 

 

The infamous Corn Beef Special from Hershel's East Side.

After waiting in line for 20 minutes, I got so hungry that I forgot to take a picture before devouring the first half. Oops! 

Where we stopped for a caffeine break and sat outside to enjoy the sun

I absolutely LOVE used book stores. They are always inevitable messy and smell like dust--but you can really find some old treasures for dirt cheap. I also enjoy the smell of old books. When I was little I used to judge if a book was good or not by flipping the pages and rating the scent. Futile as it may seem, it usually gave me accurate results. But it a used book store? Works every time. 

Anne, Allegra and I outside the bookshop 

Anne, Courtney, Allegra and Cathy

What's a day in the city without some vintage shopping?

Alleyways in New York? Creepy

Alleyways in Philadelphia? Adorable. 

White Clay Park

Newark, DE

Instead of mopping around on Main Street with the other 5,000 university students on Sunday, a couple of friends and I decided to take our bikes and ride through White Clay Park and snap some photos. I hadn't taken pictures since I was traveling in Europe (mostly because my day-to-day life in Delaware is boring enough for me to live through, let alone photograph), and genuinely missed it. So Anne, Remi and I biked around the park and discovered some beautiful little areas. Small wooden bridges, crystal clear ponds and abandoned brick houses were among some of the "diamonds in the rough," that we spotted. We even bumped in to a family out on a hike whose toddler confidently informed me that the brown liquid I had stuck my fingers into was, in fact, tree sap. I never thought I would learn anything from a five year old wearing a bear hat, but on that Sunday, I was proved wrong. 

What a cutie Annie is..

 We had Remi model a bit for us...

Soda can prop

Looking natural with the nature...

 Anne trying out an action shot with me

This muddy road reminded me of Robert Frost's "A Road Not Taken." 

I shall be telling this with a sigh 

Somewhere ages and ages hence: 

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- 

I took the one less traveled by, 

And that has made all the difference

More action shots on a dock

AMSTERDAM

As Amsterdam marked our last excursion in Europe, we knew we had to go out with a bang. And that we did. Unlike most of the tourists in Amsterdam, my friends and I were not actually interested in spending our days in a smoky "cafe," trying the various strands of weed and mushrooms readily and legally available. But that in no way meant we didn't have the most ridiculously incredible time in Amsterdam.

After a very comfortable train ride, we arrived in Amsterdam around ten o-clock and decided to waste no time in checking out the scene. Our brightly decorated, pink-walled hostel was located in Rembrandt Plein, or Rembrandt Square, a bustling neighborhood in the city. For the holidays, Rembrandt Plein glittered with decorations, complete with flying tinsel, giant blow-up Santas and an ice-skating rink. Eager to explore our new neighborhood, we dropped off our bags and toured the square, indulging in a sausage sandwich and a Fanta for dinner. We then walked in to the first bar we saw and ordered some dark beers (as usual). We meant to have a "chill night," as to ease in to our busy weekend ahead, but alas, the evening quickly turned into Yager shots at a techno club and a dance party. Also not to forget getting whisked away on the back of bikes to the after party, in true Amsterdam fashion.

The rest of the weekend followed suit. We visited adorable wood paneled cafes, brushed up on our history at the Anne Frank house, and got our fix of culture at the Sex Museum. During a romantic stroll through the Red Light District, we were very surprised to see the half-naked girls in the windows leering at us. It was during this visit to the Red Light District that I discovered why boys don't come to Paris for study abroad. It is because they go to Amsterdam. I know it was the Red Light District, where obviously there are more boys walking around checking out the "goods,"but in general, I've never seen so many groups of college-aged male tourists in one city. I quickly realized that Paris and Amsterdam obviously attract different compositions of people. Paris, the city of lights, where romance lurks at every corner and fashion struts down every street, attracts mainly women. Like New York, women come to Paris looking for love and adventure while at the same time, dressing like a supermodel and dining on steak au poivre. Amsterdam, however, attracts a different sort. I'm not saying the only reason boys go to Amsterdam is because of the drugs, but the "cafes," mushroom shops, and sexual freedom advertised so strongly in Amsterdam undoubtedly attracts more men. It doesn't hurt that Amsterdam is a beautiful city with its winding canals and bike lined streets. But the main reason why men choose Amsterdam, in my opinion, is because of the chance to experiment.

Speaking of boys, while in Amsterdam I just so happened to run in to one of my best guy friends from New York! Our accidental encounter is the best example I have, and probably will ever have, of how small the world actually is. That Saturday night, my friends and I were in the mood to check out a different neighborhood in the city for dinner, and the concierge at our hostel recommended Leidse Square. It was pure chance in the first place that we ended up in Leidse Square. So we took the tram over there and while walking down the street, I heard someone call my name. I nearly dismissed the idea that anyone in Amsterdam would actually know me, but by instinct I turned around just to check and who did I see? None other than Eric Olson, one of my closest guy friends from high school, looking straight at me with that boyish grin of his. I did a double take of Olson, completely stunned over the fact that we both happened to be in Amsterdam the same weekend and walking down the same street at the same time. He didn't even have a cell phone. We could not have met better if we tried. Needless to say, we spent the evening together talking and catching up. It was great to see a friend from home, especially in a place I never would've imagined we would be together.

By the end of the trip, my girlfriends and I planned to make Amsterdam a place we would visit together again. It would become a tradition! If it's in one year or ten, if I make it back to Amsterdam with Anne and Courtney, I'll be a happy camper.

Anne and I

Dutch crêpes!

Christmastime in Amsterdam

Anne, Courtney, and I under the snow

The floating tulip museum

We happened to be quoting an SNL skit that weekend which had us calling each other "lovas" in strange accents. So in this spirit, it was only right to sign up for the lovers boat tour of Amsterdam. I highly recommend it, by the way. Very romantic. 

I think we're getting closer to the Red Light District...

Santa Clause and adult toys, a very merry sex shop