Day 15 - Washington DC to Philadelphia

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Up early again to catch a $12 bus to Philadelphia. So we caught the sub into Chinatown and boarded our 3 hour bus trip to Philly. We arrived an walked down to our hotel. We booked this the night before on this new site we have found. It was $80. We got there and werent sure if we were in the right place as it was a very fancy place. Chandeleers in the foyer and marble everywhere. A guy took our bags up and was trying to oragnise everything. He took us into our room and just stood there. So Benns gets our his wallet for a $1! He probably usually gets $20's! So this place was heaps nice and our bed was massive and even had a remote! The guy said he would get a hop on hop off bus for us (no suprises there! we are the hopon/hopoff gurus).

So we went across the road to Little Pete's diner for a stereotypical Philly Cheesestake Roll which was awesome. Then we got on our transfer to the bus. We had a look at Liberty bell which is a famous bell about freedom or something. Got on the bus and took a 90minute tour of Phildelphia. Went past the biggest US mint where all the coins are made and past Bettys Ross or something which is the lady who made the first american flag and then past Ben Franklin's grave. They have Ben Franklin stuff everywhere here. Washington DC and here have a iron statue on just about every corner of historic figures who we have vaguely heard of. The extent of my American history goes back to the movie Bill and Teds bogus adventure! So then we went past city hall and through the markets. The guy who made monoploy apperntly lived here so the four railway stations are from here and water works. So we went past Pennsilvania Station and water works. We got off at the next stop to visit the Museum of Arts. I know what your thinking? Thats not our thing! And your right! The only reason was it was the steps which Rocky run up so

Benn got VERY EXCITED and had to run up the steps. This was the most excited I'd seen him for a while. After he got over this thrill we walked up to Easten State Pentridge which was open for 150 years closing in 1971. It was set up like a star so all cells went out. Apparently Melbourne jail is based on this one. We went on an hour's tour which was really good and learnt how it changed from consolitary (one cell no contcat with others) to open (share cells, eat together etc). The escape stories were funny. We really enjoyed this tour. Al Copne was here if you have heard of him.

Then we jumped back on the bus to continue on the tour. Went up and around West Philadelphia and even passed the Fresh Prince of Bel Air basketball courts (you know the song 'In West Philadelphia born and raised...'. There are lots of murals here which are big paintings on the side of buildings or next to railway. They were put there to discourage grafetti and seem to be working. Makes the place look nicer and each mural has a name and story to it. They also have a 1% tax when building something. The tax goes towards art which is purchased and placed around the city. Its contempry stuff which is colouful and interesting. Then past 'Logan Circle' and then through an older area where as it was getting dusk you could see right into their houses which looked really nice. We went along the wharf and eventually back to the first stop.

Then we walked back to our hotel via an italian restaurant for dinner which was nice. Back at the hotel at a decent hour for a change and spent most time on the internet on skype or booking our bus and accommodation back to NY tomorrow. We liked Philly today. Our tour guide was really nice and informatve and its a pretty town.

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