it's easy because you're beautiful

It was bound to happen: I'm in LOVE with Philadelphia. The story of our love affair continues in this chapter.

Today's journey was a singular one. I've barely left my apartment without Dan: the subway terrifies me (let's face it, it's no DC Metro) and the city is BIG and he's brave. However, this afternoon Ashley Hampton `09 and I had a coffee date at 3pm and Christine refuses to move to Philadelphia to help me. Thus, the dreaded day arrived: I grudgingly left the cocoon of safety that is York North and walked toward certain death.

Luckily, the Olney stop is right in front of the Albert Einstein hospital grounds, two blocks from my door, so that was no big deal... but immediate crises: how the hell do you use tokens on a subway? Where are the maps? Where are the super-convenient but evidently unique to DC screens with train arrivals posted for all to see? Wait, the lines aren't color-coded??

I am already lost, you guys.

Insider tip for friends from below the Mason-Dixon line: Embrace your "accent." I know for a fact that everyone here talks way too fast, but to them I sound like I should be drinking lemonade in a rocker on a porch instead of trying to navigate the subway. Pretty quickly I figured out how to befriend people: ask for help with a "Sir" or "Ma'am" and people will give it out of pure pity for your backwoodedness. Right away I learned tokens, color-coded lights on trains, and how to use the way-better Express line from kind strangers. One of whom was a train conductor who could tell I was lost. [Ed. Note: look less lost, it's probably a safety hazard.]

Also, I have no photographic proof of this, but my train to City Hall was 23 and my train home was 32. Instant great day. The universe was all "Chill out. You got this. You made it through the station and PS this train is for you."

The City Hall stop was maybe not the most convenient Rittenhouse Square stop, but it's 15 minutes down the same Broad Street line and I climbed up right into City Hall. I was two hours early (because the subway is SCARY) and wandered through downtown. It was ineffably awesome. I just wandered through the most beautiful parts of the city all day. The best part: Finding the Parkway Museum District! [Ex: The Franklin Science Museum is having a sci-fi year and right now it's the "Star Trek Exhibition!" You can sit on the bridge of the Enterprise and yell "KHAN!" and that's like the only time in your life you can do that, you guys. Plus the Philadelphia Art Museum host free jazz concerts on the Museum steps every Friday and cocktails are served as the sun sets! You guys!]

But I digress. Pictures are on Facebook.

So, the thing is, Philadelphia is pretty awesome. The sheer size and scope of the buildings downtown get me every time. The food is fabulous anywhere. The art and theatre culture is almost overwhelming. Ashley and I got coffee in the cutest coffee shop right off the very green and fabulous Rittenhouse within walking distance of anything. AND the subway is not that scary at all: I can go down to the city in 15 minutes anytime, but I can go home to my little green oasis whenever I want to (or get overwhelmed).

And I haven't even started classes at Temple yet. You guys. This is awesome.