Philadelphia! Birthplace of America! Home of the Liberty Bell! ...and, of course, destination of loads of school trips! While in Philadelphia we decided that the difference between American and British school trips, or perhaps between school trips now and "in our day" is that, while we would muck about on the bus and on the way to the places we would visit, once we entered a musuem or started a tour, we would be silent and respectful, whereas all the school groups we've encountered here continue screeching and acting up all the way round the exhibitions etc.
The Liberty Bell - a bell that may, or may not, have been rung on 4 July 1776. As well as the Bell, the Independence quarter also houses Independence Hall (about which more hereafter) and the Constitution Center. This was a very useful run through of American history as it relates to the Constitution, and as most everything that happened in American history related to the Constitution it covers all the important points. It is also home to "Freedom Rising!" a theatrical lecture on how wonderful the Constitution (and America in general) is, which ended with the lecturer asking "what will you do with your freedom?" The effect of which was somewhat undercut by a small voice near where we were sitting saying : "nothing".
Fiona used her freedom to get up close and personal with the baseball mascot, the Phillie Phanatic.
For lunch we travelled to 9th Street to sample the world famous Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich, as prepared by longtime rivals Geno's and Pat's. These photos were taken at random but, by happy coincidence, it turned out that Fiona preferred Geno's sandwich, while Christopher preferred Pat's.
We then returned to the Independence quarter and visited Independence Hall or the Philadelphia State House as it is properly known, and would have been called by those who signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution here. Our guide rivalled Geraldine and the bloke from the Meramac Caverns for title of "best guide ever" with his sing song delivery and insistence on completing any part of his tour speech, even though he may have repeated that part of his speech twice already.
We finished off our visit to Philadelphia with dinner at a micro-brewery pub.
On the way home the weather turned, and a massive thunder and lightning storm ensued. Look out for the exciting video coming soon!
The Liberty Bell - a bell that may, or may not, have been rung on 4 July 1776. As well as the Bell, the Independence quarter also houses Independence Hall (about which more hereafter) and the Constitution Center. This was a very useful run through of American history as it relates to the Constitution, and as most everything that happened in American history related to the Constitution it covers all the important points. It is also home to "Freedom Rising!" a theatrical lecture on how wonderful the Constitution (and America in general) is, which ended with the lecturer asking "what will you do with your freedom?" The effect of which was somewhat undercut by a small voice near where we were sitting saying : "nothing".
Fiona used her freedom to get up close and personal with the baseball mascot, the Phillie Phanatic.
For lunch we travelled to 9th Street to sample the world famous Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich, as prepared by longtime rivals Geno's and Pat's. These photos were taken at random but, by happy coincidence, it turned out that Fiona preferred Geno's sandwich, while Christopher preferred Pat's.
We then returned to the Independence quarter and visited Independence Hall or the Philadelphia State House as it is properly known, and would have been called by those who signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution here. Our guide rivalled Geraldine and the bloke from the Meramac Caverns for title of "best guide ever" with his sing song delivery and insistence on completing any part of his tour speech, even though he may have repeated that part of his speech twice already.
We finished off our visit to Philadelphia with dinner at a micro-brewery pub.
On the way home the weather turned, and a massive thunder and lightning storm ensued. Look out for the exciting video coming soon!
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