I think I want to write a bigger story about New York as my blog seems unfinished about it, but I'm always writing these blogs when I'm so sleepy, so I'll write that one up later as a separate, special entry.
Today we left NYC, and arrived in Philadelphia. After the long flights, and sagas with our luggage etc, I admit we were feeling slightly anxious about the whole airport experience, especially as we'd found La Guardia a difficult airport to get around last time we left from there. (Very security conscious.) Turns out it was the most super easy, comfortable flight ever. We were in the air for under 30 minutes, on a very comfy small plane. There were only 36 people on the plane, which meant there were rows free, even on a plane only four seats across. We were the only ones to have checked in baggage on the whole flight!
After a short cab into the city (set fare of $28.50 plus extra dollar per person and tip btw) we arrived at our hotel a few hours before check in. Some of you may know that we had a lousy time in San Francisco last year, and the major reason was a miserable time at our hotel, the Omni. After I completed a feedback survey on the Omni after our stay, we were contacted and advised that they wanted to make it up to us on our next trip to the US. So when we knew we were coming over, they offered us a lovely room at their hotel in Philadelphia for around half the price. We were kind of sceptical though, as we'd discovered that the hotel was totally full tonight whether we'd end up just being shoved in a janitor's closet. Turns out we're in a beautiful, comfortable room and were able to check in instantly. The hotel is very noisy though, as you can hear street noise, and there's a lot of noise in the halls.
After settling in the room, we went for a stroll around our neighbourhood. I wasn't sure what to make of it to be honest, being yelled at by a crazy beggar never helps. There are lots of beautiful, interesting areas and buildings, but it also felt kind of run down and kind of scary in parts. Ironically it would feel safer when we went out for dinner as there were more people around. I also found myself walking past an animal shelter, with all these homeless cats in the window, god I got fur clucky. I couldn't help but go in and leave a small donation. Poor kitties. :(
I feel like Philadelphia is going to be somewhere we like, but some where we don't feel a need to come back to again, in the sense that I don't think there'll be much left to cover. I stand to be corrected though.
After coming back to the hotel to freshen up before dinner, we ended up watching a few episodes of the show Parking Wars, which focuses on the parking officers and tow drivers etc of Philadelphia. (It's sometimes on tv in Australia.) By awesome coincidence, as we walked out of the hotel, we saw the Philadelphia Parking Authority tow a car right in front of us.
We had prebooked a restaurant for dinner - the Marmont Steakhouse - and sat in the window, watching them tow yet another car in front of us! Then one of the ticketing officers walked past, and I'd seen her on the show! I almost wanted an autograph!
Dinner, btw, was awesome. Aaron had the most delicious looking steak, and I had a lemon and rosemary chicken breast with mushroom risotto. Delish. Followed by beignets with divine caramel and raspberry sauces for dessert. (Which when we couldn't finish, they gave us the left overs and the sauces to take away. Nom. nom. nom.) The Omni have a policy where we cannot bring in any food or drink not purchased in the hotel, so we snuck this stuff away in my handbag! Not sure if the maid will dob on the contents of our trash tomorrow! :)
We've just had a quiet night in the room, after getting back after dinner. Tomorrow I'll have more to tell you about Philadelphia.
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