Philippa in Philly

Back to the mode of transport I am most comfortable with, the Acerla Express Train from DC to Philly. Home of the Philly Cheese Steak (see below) and a 100 other firsts (first hospital in the US etc.) and other famous movie landmarks – most notable the steps that Rocky ran up in one of his movies.

Have called in on, an old work colleague and her husband who became ex-pats a few years ago and have a reputation for 1st class hospitality and seem to accept random strangers on a regular basis. Phillipa and Matthew are my keepers for 24hrs. Philippa meets me at the station and after we have admired the awesome view from the balcony of their 20th floor apartment (see pics) I am marched around all the key sites of Philadelphia and given the perfect amount of information on all key sights and history. A wonderful city with a great local feel to it, none of your chain restaurants and bars that I have become familiar with – everything is “local and fresh” a rare thing in my current tour of the US. Everywhere I went there seemed to be a cart or stall offering me Philly Chease Steak, more or less a loaf of bread sliced on its side and stuffed full with fat dripping steak, cheese and onions, I was minded of the colon exhibition in Washington and steered well clear.

I am made to feel most welcome and don't feel too bad for calling in at short notice until Philippa admits to me that I was the last people on her potential visitor list who she thought that would drop by......! It is amazing how a few glasses of Pinot Noir can loosen the tongue.

After a cheeky swim in their pool, the snow starts to fall and I am on another train and heading to New York for the first time in my life (everyone I know seems to have been there!)