April 23, 2007
Although a cemetery, there is something oddly vivacious about being in the Woodlands. Perhaps it is the history of the land, which Andrew Hamilton purchased in 1735 and on which his grandson, William built the mansion in 1789 that still stands today. The mansion hosted glorious parties where elite Philadelphians mingled about through 10,000 species of botanical wonders.Alas, the romance of these glorious grounds flittered into eventual ruin, and it came time for the once corseted beauties and their dandily clad suitors to pass on into the next world. Enter the 19th century when romantic minds, unsettled by burying their loved ones into flooded, crowded cemetery plots, ignited the Rural Cemetery Movement. This movement was dedicated to creating peaceful resting places in natural environments and in 1840 The Cemetery Company of Philadelphia purchased Hamilton’s landscaped grounds, and the Woodlands as we know it today, was born.
Wandering through the graves of the Woodlands, I’ve yet to feel my childish urge to hold my breath to keep the ghosts of the past from getting in. Instead there is a peaceful historical connection enlightened by the beautiful irony of the scent of trees when you can see the train tracks and factory smoke in your peripheral vision. Currently the grounds are inhabited by a family of deer; deer prancing over the graves of Philadelphia’s history; how much more rurally romantic can you get in the city?
Check out some pics on flickr.
The Woodlands
4000 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 386-2181
March 29, 2007
Visiting St. John Neumann’s Shrine offers the otherwise religiously illiterate (I allude to myself) a glimpse into a faithful world.
As the bishop of Philadelphia, John Neumann was a savior to the poor, martyr of peace, master of twelve languages, and died just before the age of 50 crumpled on a step in Logan’s Square. The bishop was sainted in 1977 and the step on which he died is displayed in honor of his memory in the gift shop/museum of St. Peter’s Church on 5th and Girard. The stained glass of the church serves as an iconic pictorial history of Saint Neumann’s contributions. His tomb remains in the church, and his body, yes that’s right- his corpse- tiny and either masterfully embalmed or encased in wax- lies in it’s tiny, eerie glory beneath the alter.
Please visit, but please be aware that this a functioning church where people will be offering their prayers – so pray if you will, but if you won’t – please be respectful.
Shrine of St. John Neumann @ Flickr
St. Peter’s Church.
N 5th St and Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA
March 15, 2007
I’ve seen it from every angle, looming above and in front of me in all of it’s historical and architectural glory. Living here for ten years, I have been as blind to it’s constant surrounding of scaffolding as I have to the what it beholds. Enter the courtyard from the north and look up past the grand pillars to reveal intricate statues where pigeons have made their homes. Perhaps it is the lighting, but I have never before seen bird poop fortune figures to bleed with such netherworld undertones. Take the free tour up to the tower and you are eye to eye with the Liberty buildings. Look south and see the miniature world of Broad street below you, not forgetting that merely 20 years ago, this structure was as high as the city would allow. Crane your neck up and see William Penn and think about the grandeur of this 37 foot, 27 ton statue towering above you, then remember that there is no steel supporting this tower that you stand in, 500 odd feet above the city that you move through everyday. That’s right, City Hall folks, so the next time you blow through that station for the free interchange, consider eating the 2 bucks and getting out to take a look around.
Photos at Flickr.
City Hall Tower Tours: M-F 9-4:15. Only 4 people per tour.
March 5, 2007
I have some friends who are such die-hard barbeque fans that I have found myself in mid-January huddled on a back porch around the grill. As the coals become more important as a surrogate campfire than as a means for cooking the burgers, I have often wished for that magical indoor barbeque. My dreams were answered by my first experience with Korean Barbeque. Though there are number of Korean Barbeque restaurants in Philadelphia, my cohorts and I chose to journey way up North 5th Street into “ËœKorea town’ to Kim’s.Each table has a “Ëœpit’ in it where the grill will be placed over red-hot coals once the bbq is ordered. You order from a variety of meats and seafood which are brought raw to the table and then, that’s right, you cook it. There is an unlimited supply of romaine lettuce that you fill with the cooked meat and your choice combination of the 15 or so varieties of pickled accompaniments and sauces, top it off with some rice, roll it up and enjoy. There is also an unlimited supply of coals, which will be replenished in all of their glowing glory right before your eyes. For six people, the experience lasted a full two hours, and for 30 bucks a piece including beers and tip, was well worth the excursion.
Kim’s
5955 N 5th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19120
March 5, 2007
I have some friends who are such die-hard barbeque fans that I have found myself in mid-January huddled on a back porch around the grill. As the coals become more important as a surrogate campfire than as a means for cooking the burgers, I have often wished for that magical indoor barbeque. My dreams were answered by my first experience with Korean Barbeque. Though there are number of Korean Barbeque restaurants in Philadelphia, my cohorts and I chose to journey way up North 5th Street into “ËœKorea town’ to Kim’s.Each table has a “Ëœpit’ in it where the grill will be placed over red-hot coals once the bbq is ordered. You order from a variety of meats and seafood which are brought raw to the table and then, that’s right, you cook it. There is an unlimited supply of romaine lettuce that you fill with the cooked meat and your choice combination of the 15 or so varieties of pickled accompaniments and sauces, top it off with some rice, roll it up and enjoy. There is also an unlimited supply of coals, which will be replenished in all of their glowing glory right before your eyes. For six people, the experience lasted a full two hours, and for 30 bucks a piece including beers and tip, was well worth the excursion.
Kim’s
5955 N 5th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19120
March 2, 2007
I love Indian food, however I never manage to leave the restaurant without feeling like I want to pass out from food coma, and wishing that I had enjoyed that saag paneer from the comforts of my own couch. Alas, until now, I have never been lucky enough to live within the delivery zone of an Indian restaurant. My Indian woes are over thanks to Tiffin. Not only do they deliver to my house, which by the way is a good 30 blocks away, but their prices are more affordable than the other Indian restaurants I have patronized in this city.
The food is wonderful and it all comes in separate caringly labeled containers. All of this will be brought to your doorstep in a handsome brown paper gift bag. ‘Tiffin’ is an Indian word that is comparable to the meaning of light meal, however the portion size is still generous, as I have gotten two meals out of them. I have only ordered from the regular menu but their “Tiffin’s” are special menus each day that can be pre-ordered for lunch or dinner and can cater to larger parties. Check out their comprehensive website for more information. Oh yeah, and before I sell the place short with my lazy picture of warming your belly with spicy delights in front of the tube, I should mention that they do offer a dining area.
Tiffin
710 W. Girard Ave.
Philadelphia PA 19123
215-922-1297
February 20, 2007
In the doldrums of winter, I find myself often inspired to do nothing more than huddle on my couch next to the space heater. There’s not a better warmer-upper than getting the blood flowing, and Philadelphians are lucky to have a quick jaunt to a perfect place to breathe some crisp air. The Wissahickon, as I will refer to it, is the part of the Wissahickon Valley that lies within the boundaries of Fairmount park. The many trails of the Wissahickon offer a refreshing urban getaway to natural beauty and history. A comprehensive map published by the Friends of the Wissahickon can lead you along the trails to 21 points of curiosity, or you can just wander at your own whim.
I’ve posted a bunch of pictures from a short loop hike that started at Hermit Lane, went under the Henry Ave. Bridge and onto Forbidden Drive, then up the orange trail to Toleration Statue. I hope you’ll be inspired to grab your flask or thermos and explore for yourself.
