Phili Sides

---

Here iam ...One More time!

First weekend, on my 4th visit to US.Where to go, was the question in my mind, when my visit was confirmed 2 weeks back. I clearly had 2options. one Phili and second Atlantic City. I shared my plans with Lawrence immediatly on arrival. he was ok with both. So then we decided to make some homework from our apartments. We had 1 day in our hands. After making calls to SEPTA & Greyhound, we freezed on Phili. Reason - We didnt had good bus schedules for Atlantic City. We booked the cab saturday morning & quickly went to sleep.

Next morning I got up a little late.The bus was scheduled at 1.20 from Wilmington. We had some good breakfast & reach Wilmington at around 12 noon. SEPTA was closed due to Sunday holiday. We had no other option but to wait in Bus Station till our bus arrives. It ultimately arrieved a little late at 1.30.The delay however was recovered in travel as we still manage to reach on time in Phili by 2.30. Good old memories of my first visit here!! the Bus terminal is located behind Market Street Station. We had return bus at 6.30 so didnt had much of a time. hence we decided to focus on a few important places.

Visiting the same place again is not only wonderful but it also helps us aviod wrong directions to our spots. I was quickly able to identify the street to Independance Square. I was like a Tour Guide explaing to Lawarnce whats the historic importance of each place there. The Liberty Bell, The Constituion hall etc etc. Now it started snowing a bit in Phili. My first experience of snowfall, but it was short lived. It stopped when we came out of Independance Square. 2nd halt was the tallest buidling in Phili - 1 Liberty Place. 945-foot tall One Liberty Place is the tallest building in Philadelphia and the 16th tallest in the USA. I wanted to go its Observation Deck, but they told us that post 9/11 , they have closed it. We made up for our disappointment by taking a round of the shopping mall in there. We had some quick bite at the food court there at Subway...a 6 inch veg Sandwitch & Soda. It was stomochfull.

As we came out, still it was quiet cold. Thanx to some good winter clothes, we were relatively better. Out of 1 Liberty Plaza, it appeared late to us that we are on a wrong track. we were actually moving away from the Bus Station. Some directions & some intuitions finally helped us get on right path. Walking on cold c an be really tough. It was freezing -2 degrees that day. As we reached the market street station, we had some time, so we decided to take a walk in market station shopping plaza. After taking a quick round, we came back & stood in line for our bus back to Wilmington. While we were standing there, a funny incident happened. A lady in the queue threw some garbage on the floor, which caught attention of our Greyhound Bus operator. He was quick to ask that lady to pick it up, but she declined throwing it. Operator informed the Police on duty at the station & straightaway denied permission to her to board on his bus. Police reprimanded her of a $ 300 fine, if she does it again & she was made to pick it up & throw it in dustbin. No wonder many parts of America are clean!!

It was time now for our bus to depart. A good 45 mins ride & we were at Wilmington. From Wilmington, we took a cab. Fare # $ 35. Back at the apats, we cooked some rice & ready to eat stuff. Within less than 24 hours of arrival in US, I have already covered one of the 2 destnations that I had on my cards. Wow!! thats amazing!!

Miss you...Sachin

---

Photos

Liberty Bell
The most enduring symbol of Philadelphia

@Independance Square
With George Washington Statue.This the first Parliament House of US.