First off was the Liberty Bell across from Independence Hall. We got our tickets for the tour of Independence Hall and passed time in the 2nd National bank where they were presenting a show of portraits of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. (The 1st US Bank is a storage building... we thought that was weird.)
Watched a patriot rally which ended in us all chanting a middle school kids name so he would join in.... nothing like embarrassing other peoples children! I'm sure his little brother who started it will get a good beating up later in the day.
Finally our tour of Independence Hall. We made sure to sing the theme song for National Treasure while looking up where Ben Franklin's spectacles would have been. We finally got inside the building. Leo was a giddy as could be and determined to be the first into each room to get a good view. He would say he was a little more casual about it... but he practically bull dozed the tour guide to get to the rooms... we won't mention that part though.
Finally reached the room where the men sat, debated, compromised, and signed our government structure. In Leo's words "Wow!"
It was a great experience over all but we wished the mention of God had been more.
Just before the tour we were able to view the original copies of the Articles of Confederation and Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. What a treat.
Had lunch at a deli and ventured to Christ Church where Ben Franklin, George Washington, and Betty Ross attended church (I'm sitting in her pew). They had the Bible that was first marked out the prayer for the Church of England.. but for the new country in the America's. It was neat to know that the rebellion first started in this spot. The baptistry that William Penn was baptized in is still being used today too. God never changes!
Tried to get into Betty Ross's house, but yet another cost... so we just snapped a few pictures and called it good.
Journeyed across the road to the Constitution Center where they were doing a show on Napolean. Leo's statement was appropriate... "We're going to the Constitution Center... representing a document which spells out the foundation of the republic... and we find a display on one of the biggest dictators in history. Does that make sense? Kind of contradictory!"
Exhausted we decided to return to the hotel and get ready for meeting up with Jen's good friend Michael.... or rather Dr. Rizk.... and his girlfriend (and now fiance :)) for dinner. We met them at Olive Garden and talked our way into the evening. So much so, that we had to leave the restaurant and go to a Barnes and Nobles into the late hours of the evening to talk. It was great to see them! Unfortunately we were so into visiting, that we never took picture. :(
On the way to see Michael and Hannah we passed by a Dick Blick Art Supplies store... Jen gets catalogs at school and orders almost all of her art supplies from this warehouse... she couldn't resist. We had 15 minutes to RUN through the store.
By the way.. she didn't buy anything in the store. ... not to say that she couldn't have found SOMETHING to purchase!
1 comment:
leo looks like a little kid standing next to the liberty bell. haha. philly is a place i need to go back to and actually see the sights! man cool stuff.
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