Philadelphia and Washington DC

My successful (yet expensive) time in New York had come to an end. I had originally planned to travel to Baltimore for a couple of days, although ended up in Philadelphia instead. I met a girl called Arriane, in NY, who had said that I was welcome to her couch for a few days - & that she would happily show me the city! An offer that I couldnt refuse!

On my first night in Phili we went to the bar that Arriane works at... an "Irish" bar. If you have been to the US - you will know that an Irish bar just needs to serve Guiness and have a few green banners about the place! Monday night NFL was on, & the Philadelphia EAGLES were playing the Dallas COWBOYS. There is an intense rivalry between the two - so the atmosphere was electric. It certainly helped that the game was very well balanced, with the possibility of either team winning in the closing stages. Dallas won, just, by 41-37. However, this was one of the most entertaining NFL games I have ever seen. All of the locals at Arriane's Bar were very welcoming, & it wasn't long before the Yagerbombs & Beers were flowing! I seem to remember finally crashing out at about 6am...what a night!

As far as sight seeing goes, I did some of that! Old Town in Phili is lovely. It is very clean & the people there are clearly proud of it. For those of you up on your US history, you will know that Phili was the original US capital - where the constitution was drawn up. There are visitor centres dedicated to this. Phili is also home to the "Liberty" bell - which was rung enthusiastically upon the Red Coat oppressors (us) leaving. Independence was born (...& look what happened, eh?). I took a DUCK tour around the city (a bus that can also go on the water...pretty cool) & went for some drinks on the trendy South Street. For all of you film enthusiasts out there, you will enjoy the following pictures. Needless to say, I ran the steps & I couldnt get the theme tune out of my head for two days!!

My three days in Phili were very enjoyable, & pretty drunken too ;-)

Then I was off to Washington DC. The train service in US is amazing! So much room! & the seats are v.comfy too! I would recommend it as a means of travel here.
Anyway, I arrived in DC late in the evening, so I got a FuddRuggers burger (amazing - not fast food) & walked around the Washington Mall (aka - park). The buildings in Washington are amazing, & the yanks sure do love a good memorial (M)...they are everywhere! Over the following days I went to a posh club called "Ultra Bar", I visited the Lincoln & Vietnam memorials, the White House,

& (film enthusiasts, you will recognise this) the Washington Needle...

I also visited a LOT of museums, the highlights being the Air & Space museum (all of it - I spent 4 hours there!) & the 3D Sea Monsters film at the Museum of Natural History. The Natural History Museum in NY City is the better of the two, in case you couldn't decide on which to visit!

I have arrived in Boston, by plane this time, so just the automobile to go before I can emulate the great John Candy & Steve Martin ;-)

written by

johnnoble on September 23, 2008 from Philadelphia, United States

from the travel blog: John's year off...

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Yo! Bro-to-be. Did you think of me when you visited the Air and Space? I love D.C so I am very jealous, this being coupled with America football. Lucky sod. Grl

written by Alison on September 24, 2008

Glad to see the Noble charm works on both sides of the Atlantic. Ding dong!

Make sure you stay off that full strength 'extra' beer, I'm sure the light tastes much sweeter.

Hope you saw Fernando's double against Everton - top of the league again, for a couple of hours. It would be a little amusing if they won the title while you were out of the country. Happy travels.

written by Dave Pritchard on September 28, 2008

was nice to speak to you - and the photos help fill in the bits you did not have time to say. Ricky came over and helped me tonight - he'is a star. Stay safe, thinking of you x

written by alison on September 30, 2008

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