woke up in philadelphia

Day 5...

Woke up in Philadelphia. Full stop. :)

Today we took a bus tour of the city. It was OK. We retraced the steps of our founding fathers and saw some important historic sites. However, after the tour, we hoofed it to see a much more significant Philadelphia institution...

The Cheesesteak.

...Wit Whiz...
Meaning, with onions and Cheez Whiz. The genuine article.

Thank you, Campo's.

On our way to see the Liberty Bell, we passed by Benjamin Franklin's House -- or at least, the ground on which it once stood.

Behold... Independence Hall!

Focus, Wee... Focus!

The Real World Philadelphia was filmed here.

Betsy Ross House

Behold!!... Elfreth's Alley!
I like playing colonial tour guide. :)

Oh that Lil Wee!


Still a little sneezy from the Betsy Ross House.

Ben's grave.

The Friendship Gate in Chinatown.

Reading Terminal Market. More on that later.

There are murals everywhere in Philadelphia. We walked all the way back to the hotel (about 18 blocks), taking in the sights along the way. Then we got dressed to go to Amada for tapas!

The main reason we chose to go to Amada was to sample their specialty cocktails, each named after an Almodóvar movie. Sam is into Almodóvar films, in case you did not know.

BAD EDUCATION / Lychee Mojito with Fresh Mint & Lime

TALK TO HER / Pomegranite Margarita

VOLVER / Green Tea and Tangerine Gimlet

MATADOR / Elderflower Ginger Bourbon Smash

TIE ME UP TIE ME DOWN / Lemon Rosemary Martini

DARK HABITS / Amada Dirty Martini

WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN / Mango & Coconut Colada

Sam with his Bad Education.

Melinda, Talk to Her.
Me, Matador.

ENSALADA VERDE
green salad with asparagus, favas, avocado and green beans

Meat and Cheese MIXTO (sample of 3 each)

GAMBAS CON GARBANZOS (left)
spanish flatbread with shrimp, chorizo and garbanzo bean purée

PIQUILLOS RELLENOS (front)
crab-stuffed peppers

PATATAS BRAVAS
spicy potatoes

GAMBAS PLANCHA
shrimp

CROQUETAS DE JAMÓN (not pictured)
ham croquettes

QUESO DE CABRA (not pictured)
baked goat cheese, tomato basil and almonds

OLAS DE CHOCOLATE / Godiva Liqueur Cake, Chocolate Mousse, Milk Chocolate Ice Cream (back)

MOUSSE MANCHEGO / Sheep Cheese Mousse, Pistachio Shortdough, Apple Crumb, Apple Cider Sorbet (left)

BANANA TORRIJAS / Crispy Spanish Bread, Carmelized Bananas, Maple Syrup Ice Cream, Banana Anglaise (right)

Once again, giving new meaning to the notion of walking city, we decided to walk all the way back to the hotel.. About 23 blocks.

What a day!