So long New Jersey. Hello Pennsylvania. For the second time on this journey, we are in Pennsylvania. The first time we passed through the west end on our way to Niagara Falls. This time we are stopping for four nights in Philadelphia. There is so much history here and we are going to attempt to squeeze as much in as possible.
I had a very hard time finding a place to stay in the city, since we wanted a two-room suite (to have a little privacy from the kids), as well as finding a place that would allow our dog to stay. I ended up making reservations at The Conwell Inn in the heart of Temple University.
As we entered the city, we drove through the north side of Philadelphia. We found ourselves in a very bad neighborhood. The streets were filthy. The buildings were run down. And the colorful characters were not the kind you would want to meet in a dark alley. I knew we were heading towards greener pastures, but I think Mary was a little concerned that I booked our room in this part of town.
Needless to say, Temple U is a very nice area and the Conwell Inn is one of the nicest places we have had the pleasure of staying at so far. The only downside is the parking arrangements. There are only two spots at the Inn, so I had to park in a garage about three blocks away. However, they have great public transportation here, so I don't know that we'll need the car much.
For dinner, we walked to the Student Center, where they had a food court featuring a variety of choices. I found a Baskin Robbins and rewarded my 2800 miles of driving with a hot fudge sundae. Hey, any excuse will do, right?
The next three days should be exciting as there is much to see here. We are just a couple miles from Independence Hall. I believe we'll be heading that way tomorrow. Stay tuned!
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
October 24, 2003 10:42 AM
Thank you for the picture of Socrates yesterday. He looks well rested and kind of has a smirk to his smile. Up to no good I am sure. Lucky wanted me to tell him hello.
October 30, 2003 09:44 PM
have this saying, called "Puzzle piece thinkin" .. IN terms of the words raised against the film "The Passion," the logic is not whole in understanding. You see, whether or not the Jews agree he is the savior, is not the issue. Most Jews agree Jesus existed and was a great prophet. Yet still, that is not the issue. The source of this story, the bible, is just how many stories and movies are made. From some source, hello!!! The source "the bible" is clear that the Jews voted to whom who should be killed. And the bible is clear of who got the voting privileges to choose between Barabas of Jesus. Barabas did live, so more Jews voted against him, but that is how the voting process works. It was not Swedish, British, or Indians,etc,, living in the Middle East during the times of Jesus. So, based purely on logic, SOME Jews were accountable. This procedure is near to our understanding in America, its called voting,hehe. Heres where the lack of understanding lays, in two words only, can you believe that,,,two words and the controversy SHOULD end..,,"SOME Jews"! There were other Jews who wept at the cross and loved Jesus!! Lets not leave that puzzle out. This isn't a race issue, nor religious issue. No Race is cloned. All races represent different beliefs and passions. The people, the Rabbis, the so-called experts who have spoken against this film, have fear in their hearts. Fear causes our perception to be blinded. Mind you, I do have sympathy. As a Christian I am very fond of the Jewish people. I remember when the TV show Roots came out, and all the issues of race caused "some" to passionately breed hatred toward eachother. But people who will react falsely against The movie The Passion, fall into the same category as those who held accountable to the white people of today, the past offenses of their race against the African Americans. Do we stop telling stories about slavery? Or shall we NOT name the white race? The viewers that might breed hostility towards the Jews after seeing this movie, are off balance, puzzle piece thinking folks, that cannot see all the pieces that form the complete puzzle. These are the same type of folks who react falsently to violent films as well. When the puzzle is formed completely, each piece is put in proper perspective bringing forth fruit of understanding, to what they are observing. There are few people who think this way, wounds, fears often reveal themselves with missing pieces. By that note, Mel should only be responsible to make a film based on TRUTH. Fear should not motivate Mel Gibson, to remove the accountability of those who lived 1,000's of years ago only to address to puzzle thinkin and feelin folks. This fact remains,,, "some" were FOR Christ, and "some" who were AGAINST Christ, that's life. That's the simple message, that should ring loudly to the experts who speak against this film. Mel did a film that is based on a biblically story, and might breed hostility amongst those puzzle piece thinkers. But, this is true with any film made. Mel, could have done the story without naming the race OF the "SOME" , but then he would have told the story incorrectly. Truth or Fear??Accountablity belongs to the "some: , 1,000's of years ago. There is no accountability to any living soul today. Thank goodness God gets this. My hands applaud Mel! He didn't compromise the story in order to have a puzzle piece of fear motivated by telling half truths for the wounded and blind people out there. You want to end the controversy,,,two words ONLY,,,"SOME JEWS",,way back when. You may freely print this,,,,Blessings Raven Smith
October 30, 2003 09:45 PM
Ahhh,,,The Puzzle Thinkin folks