In Philadelphia

The city of brotherly love.

While the primary purpose of our trip to Philadelphia was for my son WInston to tour and interview at Haverford and Swarthmore, we made a point of hitting some highlights of this varied city.



Tony Luke’s Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches are reported to be the best so where else for our first ever taste? This denizen, ‘wife beater’ and all, was enjoying his, along with a gallon of water. The restaurant is in the worst area imaginable. The sandwiches were fine!


We pose at the Rocky statue outside the Museum of Art.


The Philadelphia Museum of Art houses a tremendous modern art collection.


Milton Avery’s ‘Black Jumper, 1944, offsets a visitor.


This too, apparently, is Art. Con Art.


Independence Hall where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.


Yeah, right.


Independence Hall is very well maintained – here’s the clock tower.


The Court Room inside the Hall, a suitable venue to try the untreated syphilitic in the Oval Office today.


The architecture has withstood time well.


The Hall room where the Constitution was debated.


The Liberty Bell, crack and all. Maybe they should have bought Chinese?


The forecourt of the Barnes Foundation, home to one of the finest collections of 19th century French art on the planet.


The Barnes is a no expense spared institution.


Just for openers – Seurat’s luminous ‘Bathers’ and Cézanne’s ‘Card Players’.


A final view of the Barnes.


Despite vast disparities of wealth – we saw the best and the worst of the city – Philadelphia was incredibly welcoming, a quiet politeness pervading the air. Not once was my atrocious driving honked at.

All snaps on the Panny GX7 with the 12-35mm pro zoom.