This morning started out with a ride in the subway ending on 2nd street where I got out and walked to South Street. It was a hike with a twist. Along the way I got to see Society Hill which is beautiful and very historic and then all the interesting shops along South Street including the outside of the Magic Garden which was closed. Rather dissapointed, I walked up to the city hall to pick up a ticket to the tower. Not having one available until after lunch, with some time on my hands, I went to visit the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting offices. It was a Divine appointment. Sometimes, when things don’t turn out as planned, God has a reason for that. At their office, I met many people to whom I talked to about publicity for our book that is about to be released. The people there were really nice and I really enjoyed our visit. One woman and I even sat down for a bit and discussed the movement of many young adults out of the Quaker meetings. For those of you not aware of this, Philadelphia has a huge group of young adult Quakers who flock here for community but do not attend the Quaker meetings. This is an issue everywhere, not just here in Philadelphia and it was interesting to discuss. I then literally ran to meet Emily at the Friends General Conference offices a few blocks away so we could head over for lunch, and I’ll admit, to be able to HOLD THE BOOK!!! I knew they were there and I wanted to see one. It is a beautiful book. Emily’s copy is actually sitting behind me as I type this. I’ll pick up mine in Indianna with the rest of the editorial board.
Lunch was at the Reading Terminal Market where we searched out a soft pretzel and a delicious hoagie, the last two Philadelphia food items on my list I had to try. Walking through the stalls felt like walking through the world because I think just about every ethnic cuisine was represented, and then some! It was crowded, but there was a lot to see and I had enjoyed it. We at our hoagies outside the convention center and then I headed out to City Hall to take the elevator to the top. We just kept going up and up and I could see through the tower’s windows just how high up we were. It was actually quite exciting to keep going up and of course, there was a wonderful 360 degree view of the city at the top.
From there, I prepared to book it through the city. I REALLY wanted to see the Rodin museum, the National Philadelphia Museum of Art, and from the little I saw of the Magic Garden, I wanted to get a good look at that too! So I hurried through the city, walking, to the Rodin museum. I absolutely love the human form in art, especially in sculpture and that is Rodin’s specialty. I was in heaven, I loved seeing the figures, the different interpretations, representations of myth, and all the faces. I believe our bodies are beautiful. God created us beautiful. I wish more people saw sculptures like Rodin’s. Perhaps then they would come to appreciate how wonderfully made we are and how we need not be ashamed of who we are. Such sculptures are also far more realistic about what we look like than any magazine I’ve seen.
For my art afternoon, I then headed further up the museum district to the National Philadelphia Museum of Art. Believe me, there are A LOT of stairs!!! It is the most imposing museum I have ever seen. SOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL and stately! I first saw the Picasso exhibit. I am not a huge fan of cubism, I am more of a realism gal, but I love art and art history and Picasso is an important part of that. I wanted to see his works in person. I do these things to invest in myself, my interests, knowledge, and to make me a more well rounded person. It was really interesting and I did see many pieces I liked. Next I indulged myself in the post 1500-1850 European wing of the museum, losing myself in the rooms. By the way, I do mean rooms. The museum buys whole rooms from ornate houses when they are about to be demolished and sets them up in the museum. It was fantastic! I particularly was touched by the monastic cloisture in the pre 1100-1500 European art. As much of that art is religious, I felt like I was walking through my Christian history books. Again, in heaven. Dutch paintings from 1600-1800 are also favorites of mine and I got to see those too. Skipping down to the American wing, I saw some beautiful paintings and furniture there too including various Shaker objects. Having read about and studied them, I was excited to see such things in person.
Going outside, I hired a cab to take me to the Magic Garden. My feet, very tired by now, were extremely grateful. It would have been a really long walk. After spending so much time in museum halls, the Magic Garden was a breath of fresh air. This man is completely covering a building in mosaics and has created an incredibal grotto in the lot next door. I have A LOT more pictures than I’m posting here and will use them in the same post when I talk more about the Liberty Bell. I wandered and took pictures to my hearts delight. I even found a very comfortable chair in one grotto to sit in and rest for a while. It was walking into a piece of art and touching is highly encouraged. I loved this man’s creativity. He has many murals up around the city, especially in the south. If you ever come to Philadelphia, check it out. It truly is an experience.
From there, I asked one more huge favor of my feet. I needed to get back up to Market Street to catch the subway. They complained but complied. I caught the subway there out to West Philadelphia, which lies on the other side of the Skuhkill (sp?) River. Emily picked me up from there and I watched her and Anna play soccer. Actually, I only watched part of the game. Most of the time, I laid in the grass and stared up at the sky with my ipod in. I needed to just veg for a while. I also got to read for a while and take some pictures of Emily. It was quite a day. In three days, I have learned a ton about Philadelphia and have seen an amazing amount of sights. I am so glad I came here, so grateful to have had an opportunity to see these things and spend time with friends. A huge thank you to Emily for her company and hospitality, both are precious gifts.
Tomorrow morning we head out to Richmond, Indiana, a ten hour drive I am actually looking forward to. I’m ready to sit down for a while and to watch the countryside, not to mention working some more on the writer’s workshop I’m giving and the blogging panel I’m on. It’s a switching of hats. Except for some time in the offices today, I have been pure tourist and now I get to be a very happy editor, a networking publicist, a confident workshop leader, and an interesting panelist. Most of all, though, I get to be a friend. We’re coming!!!! The editorial board stands (and parties) together one last time to send our hearts out into the world.
Walking on the same streets the men and women who founded our country walked upon.
The Market in Society Hill
South Street
In the library of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting with a new friend.
Reading Terminal Market eating a soft pretzel.
Outside the Convention Center enjoying my hoagie.
In the tower of City Hall looking out at the city.
Some of Rodin’s art.
The National Philadelphia Museum of Art. I had already gone up a huge staircase before taking this picture.
The Magic Garden on South Street
Watching Emily play soccer while taking a much needed rest in the grass.
Thank you Philadelphia!!!!!!!!