Helllooooo!

Philadelphia was not what i expected at all. I think that's because the only knowledge I have of the city is the Fresh prince shooting some b-ball. of course, I forgot that National Treasure was filmed for some part here.

I only have a day, so I crammed as much as I could (for free into it). As soon as I got here, I went for a Philly cheese steak at a place on south street that the hostel recommended as having the best. I think everyone recommends this place as it had a queue right around the corner. I waited just to see what the fuss was about. The place itself wasn't shiny and new, it kind of looked like those cheap run down diners, but the food was amazing. Its like shredded steak and onions on a bun. Thankfully they ask you what cheese you want, because one of the options is whiz cheese, which is that lovely looking bright orange american cheese thats not quite liquid and not quite solid. I went for the proper cheese. We had a movie night in the hostel last night with free beer, which was pretty awesome. I watched the movie but then went to bed, so exhausted!

I got up bright and early this morning to go and get tickets to get into independence hall. They are free but they only let so many people in a day. I got my tickets for 1pm, because I was going on one of those free walking tours at 10. I went and got a quick breakfast at this place the hostel told me about, you get 10% off if your staying in the hostel, but I didn't need it, it was so cheap. It was a cool set up, 2 bars that circle the waitress, so we're sat on bar stools in a kind of circle. Free coffee with my bagel, so I only paid $2 for breakfast, yay!

The walking tour was really good, but a lot of information. We walked around all the important sites concerning the Independence stuff. I have now been on so many tours regarding the American revolution, Civil war and war with Mexico that I am now more of an expert on that than on my own british history. The tour guide spoke a lot about British history, because obviously the men that signed the declaration of independence had British routes. He spoke about our civil war, and asked me who took over after Charles I; errr i have no idea! My excuse is I haven't done history since I was 13, but I probably should have known it was Oliver Cromwell. We went down the oldest continuously inhabited street, it was so English looking. Made more so by the Union flag hanging off one of the houses. We haev returned! (Probably shouldn't say that haha)!

I went on a tour of the Independence hall, and stood in the room where they agreed and signed the Declaration and agreed upon the constitution. We got to see the very first print of the Declaration, although the copy that is signed is up in Washington (I didn't realise that when I was there). But they had a copy here of the drafts of the constitution etc, so it was cool to see these print outs with scribble all over them. Apparently, the declaration was agreed upon on the 2nd july, so technically that is Independence day. But the declaration came out of the printers and was distributed on the 4th, so that is why the Americans celebrate it then.

I went to see the cracked Liberty bell. Its crazy how you can actually touch it, they just advise you not to! I also went to see the house of Betsy Ross who was accredited with having sewn the first US flag. Although on my walking tour he said that they are not actually certain of whether she was responsible for the first flag.

I think that's all the news here. There's actually a lot to do here in Philly, so its sad that I only had the one day. Today is Columbus day so a lot of places are shut too. Oh well, tomorrow to NYC!!

xXx