April 17, 2012
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Feeling Good in Philly
On Saturday, I had to travel to Philadelphia to make a guest appearance at a work event. Since I was going to be there anyway, I decided to make it a one day personal trip as well. My girl has never been and has also never had cheesesteak at all (gasp!), so I was excited to bring her along.
First stop was Chinatown. We ate at a Sichuan place called E Mei, which I thought was pretty good. However the girl, being from Sichuan Province, was not impressed. Hey, I tried!
We did some thrifty shopping after that. During my browsing, I came upon this shining gem:
He can be my boyfriend I’ll never let him goAfter a quick tour of Reading Terminal Market, we walked several blocks over to the famous South Street where we met up with a couple Xangans, Kathy @HollywoodFever91 and Agatha @UnopenedSuitcases
Leaning to the left is what’s in, don’t you know?We did some light snacking, since the girl and I were saving our bellies for cheesesteak later on. However, when I came upon a store that was selling cheesesteak cookies I just had to try it out!
It kind of tasted like a muffin. Not bad, but wasn’t what I was expecting…Okay yeah, I didn’t like it XP
Aren’t you curious too?These sodas were pretty tasty, on the other hand. I have never seen these brands before, so perhaps it’s a Philly thing? Let me know if you seen them anywhere else.
Of course, no Philly trip would be complete without checking out the famous Liberty Bell:
Photoshopped glasses to cover her closed eyes? Nah…After a short trip to Franklin Square (where we shall do mini-golf next time for sure, Agatha!), I was finally off to the work event that was the cause of this whole trip to begin with.
We had to leave the event early though to go grab some authentic Philly cheesesteak at Dalessandro’s. We share a Philly cheesesteak and a chicken version of a Philly cheesesteak (cheesechicken?), both delicious! Admittedly, I still prefer the greasy goodness of the traditional cheesesteak.
SUPER NOM NOM NOM!Oh, there was another reason why I was looking forward to coming here. I finally met with the mother of Xanga (as I like to call her), the wonderful Beth @SeedSower!
I think this was take 49124We were only able to hang out briefly since I had to drive 3 hours back home, but I enjoyed the time chatting with her and wish we could continue. She was definitely one of my top Xangans left I really wanted to meet, so I’m glad it worked out.
Before we parted, she kindly gifted me a bunch of her amazing cards she made. Aren’t they awesome? Thanks Beth!
I really like that perspective shot of the walkway and trees at the bottom right. Which is your favorite?Overall, I enjoyed Philly a lot more than I expected. I forgot how much there really is in the City of Brotherly Love, so I look forward to the next time I can visit when I’m not so in a hurry. The bench below speaks the truth:
P.S. Sorry for being MIA this past month! Moving and work really kept me busier than I thought. I will blog more, I will blog more, I will blog more…
Comments (109)
Wish I was still in school in Philly just to meet up with you. Also, if you ever find yourself there again, you need to visit Franklin Fountain on Market Street. Old fashioned timey theme ice cream and homemade root beer floats that are just simply amazing. I usually get my cheesesteaks from Jim’s on South Street.
Damn nice philly cheese steaks. Also, she isn’t my mother.
The city of Brotherly love, Philly. Yeah I am partial to that town even though I never been there. You would think that Seedsower represents Pennsylvania and photos. Looks like you got some sample photos because it is too early for the canned goods that she is famous also for.
Did you lick the Liberty Bell for me?! Also, you saw Kathy! haha
It’s chicken cheesesteak! But referring to your friend up there^. I didn’t mention franklin fountain because you said you were lactose intolerant lol. Well until next time
Super awesome!!! One day, I hope to meet Beth as well… One day…
Last time I was trying to see the Liberty Bell I was waiting for an hour.
i want to try the soda in the middle… i’m curious now… damn clever marketing.
Were you in west philly? I hear that basketball program is mighty shady there…
Sounds like a good trip! I know of Hanks.
It was so good to meet you both,she is adorable! Our steaks were really good too,we will get some there again. I like the wheelbarrow pic the best in that set.
Thanks for taking the time to visit,I know it was getting late for you.
@sonychak - Well you look right like me around the eyes!
10 bucks for a bootleg Bieber CD? haha
you’ve been MIA on xanga for quite awhile now
Those cards are so beautiful!
Looks like you had a great visit to Philly! Someday I might make my way there.
And hooray for meeting up with Xangans!!!
Yeah you better update on Xanga more
lol
Now this is a story all about how
My life got flipped-turned upside down
Iplan to be in philly next week, and will want to taste the famous cheesesteak again.
2 Of the 3 places I suggested. Nice! Did you make it to the Macys in Center City to see the gigantic pipe organ?
@laytexduckie - Yeah, there’s so much of the city I didn’t get to visit. I really want to go back up again sometime soon. Will your weekends free up in the near future?
@sonychak - That you know of…*Directed by M. Night”
@PPhilip - Are you partial to Philly because of the similarity with the name?
@fLiPgUy31O - Nah, didn’t feel like dying from explosive stomach syndrome.
@UnopenedSuitcases - I’ll bring my lactaid pills then! Where else would you recommend going that I didn’t have time for? I feel like there’s so much more. What about Temple?
@armnatmom - Find your way to her!
@vsan79 - When did you go? I actually thought the line going in was long this time around (been there twice before) but it only took about 10 minutes.
@iones_island - That’s EXACTLY why I bought that.
@Timmmmmmy - Nah, but maybe we can go there and explore…
@Thatslifekid - That root beer was delicious, my favorite of the three sodas
@Roadlesstaken - Temple isn’t much to see… Fairmount Park… There’s also FDR Park (during the summer there’s old asian women selling beef sticks, papaya salad, and fried banana that’s really good). There’s other things too
@seedsower - I have a feeling I will be back sooner rather than later, so maybe next time we can all hang out in the city! So much more to see. Thanks again for the cards!
@MzKeekz - Yeah, that price seemed a bit high…maybe special versions of those songs? My bad about disappearing!
@Cestovatelka - Give me a few more extra hours to the day and I can update more!
@CaKaLusa - You mean like this?
@stevew918 - Which place do you go for your Philly cheesesteak?
@Roadlesstaken - Yeah, I dated a guy who was determined not to drink until he was 21, and he was a root beer taster, if you will.
@amateurprose - I didn’t get over to that side of the city unfortunately due to time restraints. I had only 4 hours in the city. I’ll save that for next time!
@UnopenedSuitcases - Oooo sweet. Besides Philly cheesesteak, is there any other food that’s unique in the area?
damn wish i knew i would have drove out !
@lCrAzYAzNl - I ask people on Xanga and FB! I see someone doesn’t care about me…/sad
@Roadlesstaken - Well, for the next few weekend, I have practices for a lion dance coming up and I also have to house-sit for my parents. Maybe the first couple weekends in May, I might be free. I’ve been wanting to get to Philly for a while.
@laytexduckie - Cool. Not sure if I will be able to go back that soon, but maybe sometime in the summer
@Roadlesstaken - Philadelphia is a food city! you can practically get anything you want here… Erm food unique to the area is kind of hard to say though.
@UnopenedSuitcases - Okay, next time there shall be a food tour! Either officially or unofficially.
@Roadlesstaken - Definitely.
@Roadlesstaken - i wanted a personal invite haha jk
i was busy i think lol
Welcome back! I’ve never heard of a cheesesteak before, so that’s something I’ll have to try someday. Tell me you bought the Justin Beib thing. Wait, is it a dvd? All I see is K2HD Mastering, whatever that means!
@UnopenedSuitcases - Exactly where is that? I would love that!
@seedsower - which one are you referring to? FDR park or fairmount park?
@UnopenedSuitcases - The papaya salad to be precise!
Arthur Ashe! I’ve heard of that guy… Sounds like it was a fun trip
Did you notice the misspelled word on the Liberty Bell?
@seedsower - That’s in FDR park
by the skate ramp. There’s a number of old Asian ladies there and you can get it from most of them. It’s called bok la hong (I think that’s how you spell it) in cambodian(I think). But in English it’s papaya salad. And you gotta let them know how hot you want it to be. But if you go to fdr to get it, definitely get the beef sticks and fried banana! They’re so delicious! Try to go one of the weekends when it’s nice Out 
@UnopenedSuitcases - Thank you!
Oooh! I love the pictures!
I am very jealous! heh.
Mmmmmmmmm, cheeeeesesteak.
Since I’m on the westside I eat them frozen
Looks like a great trip Alex. Philly is a city I really enjoy. In the early 2000s I almost moved there for work but the company ultimately decided against relocating us to HQ.
What did you like about Philly? @christao408 -
You should come by the famous Pat’s Steak next time!
(I am from South Philly, but I probably know NJ and NYC much better for some odd reason than Philly, lol.) And where is this cheese steak cookie shop? I wanna go check it out! How about the sodas you tried, where do you find that- I have never seen them before!
Beth is awesome. She really is the mother of xanga just like Saintvi.
Looks like you had a nice time! It seems like a very chill city. & Philly cheesesteaks.. who can say no?!
@paperblanks - just a CD…and you never had a Philly cheesesteak?! Okay, now I know one thing we’re doing whenever you finally come visit me!
@BranmacFeabhail - He’s quite respected in the tennis field!
@Sheegwa - I did not, what’s that about?
@UnopenedSuitcases - take me there next time, yes?
@whoaitsanita - I know Subway serves “Philly cheesesteaks”. Not the same, but probably better than frozen
@PatentMagician - I didn’t get much chance to explore South Philly, but maybe next time. That cookie was from Cookie Confidential near South Street. I went to two places that had those sodas, which made me think it was very common in the area or something. What else would you recommend me to check out next time I visit?
@christao408 - I think I remember you mentioning that. If you did live there, I would have surely like to met up with you and gone on a food tour!
@TheTheologiansCafe - Yes, I would put her in a similar category too. Beth spoke nice things about you during our chat. Good stuff.
@mizz_chan - It was pretty chill, but then again maybe I wasn’t in the more hectic parts
@Roadlesstaken - The state’s name is missing an ‘n’ on the Liberty Bell. Sorry, the spelling Nazi in me couldn’t let that one go.
@Roadlesstaken - Haha yes we can definitely go there to next time
come back up to Philly then!!!
nice!
try Tony Luke’s next time! I think they have the best ones.
@Ladiiee - I’ll be up for that! I chose Dalessandro’s because it was closest to where my work event was.
@PatentMagician - There are a few things, actually. Coming from San Francisco, I really liked Center City, the compactness of it, the distinct neighborhoods, and the historic buildings. Visiting frequently for work and having many friends there, I also found it an inviting place and especially liked the up-and-coming food scene. In the end, fate and circumstance took me instead to Bangkok, but Philly is still on my list of places I would consider living.
aww, the cheesesteak looks bomb, I have to go to Philly for that one day
I haven’t had a cheesesteak either !
Glad you had a great time in Philly! I’ve never been, but I wouldn’t mind seeing it someday. The cheese steaks definitely look great, but I’m definitely not interested in the cookie…haha!
Awesome pic of the Liberty Bell, and I agree with you about the perspective shot of the walkway and trees. It’s awesome, and probably my favorite of the cards that you showed in this entry. I love the quote on the bench, and thanks for sharing that shining gem….hehe!
You may have been gone for awhile, but I think you came back with a bang! Great entry; I enjoyed it! =)
You and I still need to go to Philly! I asked you about going to NY next month. Would you want to do Philly instead if you are available? When we were supposed to go last year I looked at Mega Bus and it will be pretty cheap for me to take the bus up there. Let me know. I miss you, dawg. Forreals.
To a new place, just join the food and custom.
We have Fentiman’s Curiosity Cola here in the UK
@miss_dizzao - Worth it
@babixling - Man you Canadians!
@making_a_comeback_05 - Thanks! Yeah, cookie was disappointing but at least I can say I’ve had a cheesesteak flavored cookie now
@lovelybish - We could always do both Philly and NY since Philly is on the way! I kinda like that idea.
@serioramo - Agree and agree
@pika_whoosh - Were you curious too and tried it?
Nice.
Been a while since you updated Sir. I guess the gf is keeping you busy. Which is a good thing. 
Aww you got to meet Beth? That is awesome. I can’t believe you two haven’t met before.
That was funny @the glasses both for using photoshop and the way you explained the reason behind using it. And Beth does sound like a neat person to meet so that’s great. May you continue to post some more, indeed! =)
@Roadlesstaken - haha nah, i just seen it in the shops. it’s expensive man! was it nice?
@oxyGENE_08 - she has, but honestly I have to blame moving and work more. So busy with that stuff lately!
@vanedave - I know right? we talked about you too, briefly. She said John once paid for her cover to see a show of yours.
@nov_way - It was our only pic by ourselves during the trip too, so she didn’t want it to be one where she has her eyes closed. Easy fix!
@pika_whoosh - It was different. Seemed less bubbly than regular cola.
Looks like a lot of fun! And it’s pretty cool that you got to meet seedsower! Also, holy crap, I love those fancy sodas!!!
I have never tried cheesesteak before. You look like you’re wearing my work uniform. hahaha
@TheTheologiansCafe - Saintvi is the mother,I am more the Auntie!
@nimbusthedragon - Very tempted to buy a bunch and bring them back. You know I enjoy my Ginger Ale!
@Got_Claws - haha oh boy, really? Do you have a picture of yourself in your work outfit? I was trying to dress kinda formal for the work event.
ohh I like that idea too..
You got to meet Seedsower? Kool beans, dude!
You travel so freaking much! So jealous. I haven’t been on Xanga much, so update me…..where are you moving to?
Digging the hair cut man!
And good to see you blogging again too
not sure i’d be able to resist my X addiction for that long haha
Although I am quite impressed by the resolve that kept you away for a month
I see you are still up to your hell raising ways…breaking that lovely bell and then taking posed photos with your handy work!! tut tut -_-
Gosh.. Maybe I should add in Philly on the list when I visit the States! The cheesesteak looks so damn awesome.. And root beer is my fav!! The only root beer I’ve had in my life is from A&W.. Sigh
@buddly47 - Finally! We’re relatively close, so it was a matter of time.
@JL789 - Hey, it seems like you’ve been traveling a lot lately too so you can say anything! Oh I just moved 1 miles away from where I was living due to some stupid housing issue (see last post)
@SaintBlue1131 - I really do need to blog more often. It helps me escape the busyness that is life!
@mich_yap - Ever been to the US? You know, I read somewhere that the US is known for having pretty tasty root beers. I definitely recommend!
@Roadlesstaken - Sadly I’ve never been but i really really wanna go! I first tried corndog in Malaysia when I was young and I fell in love with it, don’t even know why.. but I can’t find any in Sydney except during Easter show. Oh do tell please! I mean the root beer place!
I just gotta do more planning to my trip.
@mich_yap - Where do you think you might visit? The States has a lot of variety depending on where you go. There’s sooo many kinds of root beer available so it’s hard for me to recommend just one. I would sample whatever’s available that’s not A&W haha
@Roadlesstaken - Ehh looking at LA, San Fran, Vegas, Orlando and New York for 3.5 weeks. I’m a greedy person :p but I might just go to one coast at a time. Any advice whether i should stick to my over greedy plan or just one coast first then the other later?
@mich_yap - Hmm you could do all that, but yes that’s pretty ambitious. It can be done though. While you’re on the coast you should stop by the DC area (which is where I am now). On the west coast I recommend stopping by San Diego as well.
@Roadlesstaken - And Hawaii! Read your post earlier! It’s so great that you guys have so many states to visit in the country! I shall be less ambitious. One coast at a time seems better because I dunno where to go just by looking at google map. Thank you so much to the tips! I will bug u in the future for more info when the trip is firm.
@mich_yap - Yeah just let me know. Are you coming by yourself and are you going to drive to the different states? If you just do one coast a bus is very convenient and cheap.
@Roadlesstaken - i will most probably go with a friend. i was thinking about flying. Since we drive on the right hand side of the wheel, i’ll avoid it just to be sure we leave US without causing any trouble. =) but if bus is convenient and cheap, we will definitely consider. man, learnt a few things from you today! thank you thank you!
@Roadlesstaken - what about us ?
i too never had (at least i don’t think so) a philly cheesesteak after living in the states for 10 years. i stayed mainly in boston, providence, and san francisco. and those root beer/cola/ginger ale look interesting. wouldn’t mind getting my hands on them.
@mich_yap - Anytime, let me know if you have other questions.
@rudyhou - You haven’t even tried the philly cheesesteak at Subway yet??
@Roadlesstaken - I think chill vacations are always the best, especially if you’ve already been to the city before and done all the touristy things!
adventures of alex!
@Roadlesstaken - been to Subway few times back in the states, but never ordered the philly cheesesteak. i should’ve had!
@fLiPgUy31O - should’ve came too smh lol philly cheeeeeeeeese steak! whoo
& it was great seeing you again
hope you had fun in philly haha & brought back some goodies from “adult” stores heheh
@hollywoodfever91 - I was just there a couple of months ago! You owe the west coasters a visit.
@fLiPgUy31O - You are totally right lol but no worries I’ll be there soon I’m trying to study away there in LA
so you’ll see me shortly
@hollywoodfever91 - What did you buy?
Those Hot-dogs looked nom-worthy
@JanelleMolicious - haha, do you mean the cheesesteak?
@Roadlesstaken -
hahaha I”m blind, sorry. They looked good though!
@Roadlesstaken - Because you’re taken, that’s why!
@RestlessButterfly - People will stop caring about me because of my relationship status? Oh no! =(
You make me really want to visit Philly, haha. Glad you enjoyed yourself! &my favorite card is the walkway too
@ArmyWife4Life2007 - It’s not too far! Go for it.
@Roadlesstaken - It’s a 4 hour car ride, 7 hour flight, layover, 1 hour flight, and 2 hour drive just to my parents house
I’m back in Germany until sometime after July/August, then on to Texas!
@Roadlesstaken - whips sike lol what DID YOU BUY hmm
@Roadlesstaken - Oh yes!!!
Great pictures!!!!
Thanks for taking us along on your trip!
@lonelywanderer2 - You’re very welcome!
Oh darn I was in the city Saturday too! Glad you had a good time!
@Lordv16 - that same Saturday, or this past Saturday?
@Roadlesstaken - Oh, woops this is an older post. But yeah I was there then too. I live in the city, even though I don’t technically live in the city
@Lordv16 - I’m gonna be in NYC for Memorial Day weekend