Thursday, 11 August

Adam was very generous in letting me borrow his bike. It was real freedom being able to ride all over and around Philly. I felt like the city roads was designed with cyclists as the number one priority, it was really easy cruising in the designated cycle paths!

I rode up to the Museum of Art, a massive building!

Then I rode down Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a nice strip that had all the nations in the world flags on the light poles. There was so much room for the roads; it wasn’t cramped and felt like the city had been well thought out. Once in the main center I rode around City Hall before deciding I needed some lunch so I headed to the Reading Terminal Markets.

This market had a strong influence from the Amish community who brought down fresh produce and unique foods in permanent stalls. I was in heaven. I came across the most amazing doughnut production line I’ve ever seen!

The jam doughnut was perfect. The bun was chewy and warm and the jam oozed out and wasn’t too sweet. I savored the moment. It was exceptional.

I ate a cinnamon doughnut that was still warm inside. It was sweet, but the cinnamon was strong and the dough itself was hard but chewy. It was an amazing doughnut.

I then bought some caramel fudge that was also made right in the market hall. It melted in my mouth.

I came across an ice cream stall, with 3 flavours. I had them all in a big cup!

It was particularly special because they made it the same was as mum’s ice cream maker at home; with ice in the big wooden tub! I can’t wait to get it out when I get back! The ice cream was like none other I’d had before; it was creamy and sweet but I didn’t feel like I was eating sugar. It was a great experience.

I rode down to Penns landing and enjoyed some sun while I ate a fresh salad I also bought from the markets.

After I explored under the Betsy Ross Bridge before making my way to the town center again. I checked out liberty bell and the other surrounds building that were so significant in the formation of America.

After a few hours I rode back to Penn City. It was a great ride because I was able to ride though the city center and feel safe and not intimidated by the cars on the bike. Not that there were many cars on the road. It is such a great city, and I'm sad I couldn’t have done a uni exchange to this area.

I met up with Emily and Adam and we tried out a beer garden in the middle of town. It was meant for office people but we still enjoyed ourselves and had some nice local ales.

On the way home we stopped at frozen yoghurt place where you fill up cups with different flavours of yoghurt. We cheekily enjoyed taking advantage of the tester cups and decided that all the flavors weren’t for us and left without buying one. We don’t have these in Australia, and I don’t think they’d take off; simply because there is way too much sugar in them!

Apparently these letters are a famous attraction in the city.

By the time we made it home the other roommates were chilling on the balcony where we joined them for some more beers and good chats. I was very lucky being surrounded buy such good company! We departed around midnight for a good nights sleep.