Philly

This week I got to spend Tuesday and Wednesday in Philadelphia with Joseph and Megan.  I just popped in and popped out on a Southwest flight--I guess that means I'm "living the life of Riley."  (Is that a familiar phrase to you?  I've said that to each of my children lately and they have all said, "What are you talking about.")  It is so fun to visit with them.  The first day Joseph and I just walked around, which is always fun in a big city--there is always interesting architecture, amusing city life, and time to talk and visit.  I haven't mentioned architecture yet, but I love buildings.  They are an art form that requires function, reflects their time and unites us with the people that have been here before.  I particularly love the juxtaposition of new and old buildings.  Here are some examples.

Philly also has some extraordinary murals on buildings around town.  Here is one that is a mosaic with the hidden "modern art" I found.

It was restaurant week in Philly while I was there (deja vu all over again--the last time I was there it was restaurant week).

This time we went to a little Italian restaurant not far from Joseph and Megan's apartment.  Here is a photo of it in the lights of the night.

It reminds me of a couple of paintings I like.

Night Cafe by Vincent van Gogh

Nighthawks by Edward Hopper

Wednesday, Joseph and I went to the Muetter Medical Museum--kinda creepy--but interesting because our South Carolinian grandfathers, uncles, etc. came up to Philadelphia for medical school before the Civil War.  Joseph is the first to come back for post-graduate training since the war. (He is a third year law student at the University of Pennsylvania.   Equal time to Megan who will finish her Masters at Temple this year.)

We went to Chinatown for lunch--noodles.  Since living in Okinawa, Japan, I love to see a torii.

And finally, I'll end with sculptures of Benjamin Franklin--Mr. Philadelphia.  He is seen in everything from a toga to scrap metal.

There is also a fabulous art museum in Philly,  The Philadelphia Museum of Art.  We went there on my last visit, and I'm sure I'll go again in May when we all descent on Philly for two graduations.