Getting away for the weekend is almost becoming a habit these days. Soon we will be coming to the point that we’ve seen more from America than the average American… This weekend, we discovered another state : Pennsylvania! Since it’s right next to New Jersey, we left Friday after work. The hosts for this weekend were John & Christine, friends my father met at the Oktoberfest (yes, it’s true, all our family connections have something to do with beer)
After arriving at their house and meeting them and their twins, we ordered pizza, and enjoyed a delicious draught Franziskaner (already getting jealous, dad?). We told them some of our many exciting and funny Long-Valley-adventures, and had a really good time. Because of the fact that the next day was going to be a very active one, we decided to go to bed on time. Saturday was Philadelphia day. After taking some breakfast at Manhattan Bagel (my first bagel ever, and it was yummy!), we went straight to the center of the city. First stop on the way was the Liberty Bell. A big building and a huge waiting line for a little cracked bell that didn’t even work. (ok, the history behind this bell is quite important and I’m glad that I saw it, but still..) During our tour around town , we got some more company. And what do you know? They too liked Belgian beer, so we decided to have lunch at this Belgian bar, Monks, that was just one block away.. right Jayson? My smoked pulled pork sandwich (cooked in a Val Dieu by the way) tasted delicious, and the coke on the side was perfect to wash down the heat (yes, it was another very warm day here in the states!)
In the afternoon, more cultural activities were planned. We visited the Independence Hall, where the birth of the American Constitution took place. I must say that I paid more attention on the tour than during our history lessons, because now I finally know the ins and outs of that matter. Another big event was the race up the Rocky stairs in front of the Museum of Art (which I won, by the way!). Another reason to finally watch the movie! We also took some lovely pictures in front of the Love sign at the Love park, saw the statue of William Penn from every angle, waved at the Irish people arriving in America at the Irish memorial, and came to the culinary highlight of the day : eating a real Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich on South Street (which also was one block away from everything, surprisingly enough). I must say it was very yummy. Sandwiches like that you don’t find in Belgium! The second culinary highlight of the day was the stop at Rita’s Water Ice. Never in my life have I eaten such a delicious blueberry water ice! it was definitely worth the blue tongue. After this perfect day (cultural, as well as culinary) we headed back home.
We decided to go and see the Amish people on Sunday. It was only a one hour ride to Lancaster, and we were anxious to see how those people are living their daily lives. They drive around with horse and cart, dress up in funny clothes, and live in perfect harmony with nature and their surroundings : they also speak Pennsilfaani Deitsch, a bit of a dialect comparable to German. I know for certain that I would not be able to adapt to their way of living. No electricity, no Internet, husbands with long, itchy beards.. yuck!
The ride home was the last piece of quiet we had for the rest of the week. Because all the kids in middle school have spring break, our house has been turned into the new meeting place for teenagers who want to make prank calls, play their music very loud, watch anime all day, try to break the windows and hate the students who are trying to work. Hopefully we’ll be able to survive this week…
pictures will be online shortly !
