Another double decker sightseeing bus – the attractions in Philadelphia are quite spread out and it was close to 30C so I figured this was the best way to see everything. Firstly – and the most disappointing – the Philadelphia Museum of Art is closed on Monday so no run up Rocky Steps for me. Technically I could still have done the steps but given it was an hour between buses it didn’t seem an efficient use of my time.

I got off the bus at the Eastern State Penitentiary which which opened in 1829 and closed in 1971. This place is generally accepted as the world’s first “penitentiary” where the focus was on penitence rather than punishment- they did this was by locking every prisoner in solitary confinement (I guess so they could think about what the had done). Fascinating and creepy.

For lunch I stopped in to the Reading Terminal Market – a food court type of building that is unique (for this place anyway) in that it only allows local businesses – no “chain restaurants.” I spent a good hour or so just wandering around seeing what they had.

After lunch I headed to the Mint. Not as exciting as I expected – I pretty much thought the place would be raining coins but no such luck. I did see some pennies coming out (the most annoying piece of currency ever! Used for absolutely nothing – I’m going to come back with hundreds of them) but hardly the most exciting 20mins of my life.

On Day 3 I got up early to get tickets to see Independence Hall – where the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. Again – I’m not the patriotic attendee they expect – but it was still interesting. The people who work for the National Park Service (who maintain the site) are so far the friendliest people I’ve come across. Before leaving Philadelphia for Washington I also snuck in a quick viewing of the Liberty Bell.

I arrived in Philadelphia on Sunday (17/5) afternoon and as it was before official check-in my room wasn’t ready so I dropped my bag and headed back to the National Constitutional Centre that I’d passed on my way to the hotel. To kick things off there was a live theatrical performance about how the United States was founded and the creation of the Constitution. Very dramatic and patriotic!  There was also an exhibition of JFK and Jackie O photographs but the main attraction was an original Bill of Rights. All interesting even if I didn’t have the expected level of patriotism. One thing I did learn (and this has been re-inforced at every historical site / museum since) is that these sorts of places are over-flowing with school groups. I suppose it’s good from an educational standpoint but it’s annoying as hell in every other aspect!! This was 3pm on a Sunday afternoon for crying out loud!

After checking in I headed to South St which was about 5 short blocks from my hotel for dinner – a traditional Philly Cheesesteak from Jim’s Steaks. Basically thinly sliced beef with cheese on a a long white bread roll. It was tasty enough but I’m not sure how proud I would be to have it as my celebrated regional dish… It is basically mince after all! I went slightly non-traditional and ordered it without fried onions but I did have it with the traditional Cheez Whiz, which is a super bright orangey coloured cheese sauce that probably has no natural ingredients whatsoever.

I’m up to date finally! I have many photos to add but will get to that as soon as I can.

Yesterday was nothing but travel so not much to tell. I did chat to a guy on the train who when I said I was from Australia told me how much he wanted to visit and particularly how keen he was to see Tasmania. What a coincidence! Turns out he was a chemist for Janssen Pharmaceuticals – a.k.a Johnson & Johnson – the parent company of Tasmanian Alkaloids at Westbury.

Earlier this morning I joined my Intrepid tour to Niagara Falls and are currently about half way to the Falls. The group I’m travelling with are all lovely which is good.