A Philadelphia story

Not a bad week, except for the weather...but the highlight was definitely the weekend. Marla and I left on Friday noon, to go visit my older son Seth for the weekend in Philadelphia. He's 24, and is a 7th grade English teacher at Frederick Douglass Elementary in inner City, Philadelphia. No greater joy than visiting one of your kids in their environment. Philadelphia is a great city. A lot going on, great restaurants, and plenty to do.

We stayed downtown at the Marriott, right across from the Reading Terminal market. It is considered by many as one of the finest public markets in the U.S., blends together state-of-the-art systems technology without sacrificing its historical integrity. More than 80 merchants offer patrons fresh produce, meats, fish, groceries, flowers, baked goods, crafts, books, clothing, as well as hard-to-find specialties and ethnic foods. We sampled some of their best coffee, ice cream, smoothies, and felafel. If you go to Philly, you have to check this place out. On Saturday, we spent a good hour in the morning in the Marriott fitness center. I was able to do the entire strength routine from Eric, as well as a 40 min. run on the treadmill.

After breakfast in the market, we met up with Seth and spent most of the afternoon at the Mutter Museum. In 1849 the College of Physicians of Philadelphia started a collection of unusual medical specimens for the study of pathological forensics. Today, it's become fair to say this might be the best collection of medical oddities on display to the public, including such things as President Grover Cleveland's tumor (removed successfully), an exhibit on conjoined twins, and obsolete medical instruments. There are also plenty of skeletons and things in jars. Really wierd but most entertaining place. Sort of like the "Human Body Road Show" that went around the country a few years ago.

Seth then took us for our obligatory and decadent Philly cheesesteak at one of the great places...Jim's in South Philly...absolutely awesome. After standing in line for 25 minutes, I asked one of the cooks how much meat they go through in a day...he claimed 2,000 lbs., or a ton of beef/day!!! Quick calculation said there's about 1/2 lb. per sandwich, that's 4,000 sandwiches, they're open from 10AM till 3AM the next morning, that's 17 hours/day, or 235 sandwiches/hour or almost 4/minute...wow....

Saturday night, we didn't have reservations anywhere, and ended up at a very loud bar having mediocre salads...but any chance we have to visit with one of our sons...food is secondary. This morning spent another hour in the gym, good workout on the bike. And concluded our visit with a big breakfast at a kosher styled deli called Racheal's. A great visit with our son in one of the great cities on the East Coast...Philly...

On the way back home, we stopped at Stew Leonard's to restock our shelves of fruit and veggies. Now, I'm watching the end of this incredible Super Bowl, that was suppose to be a real yawner...This weekend, and this Super Bowl is a great metaphor for everything in life...don't take anything, especially family, for granted...there is wonderful excitment, and surprises in everything. Have a great week.