Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening everyone, depending on where you are in the world! How are you? How was your week, and beginning of the year? I hope it started off better than mine did, but hey, still 12 months to go, so let’s hope for the best!
Today I’m thrilled to be back with another travelling post, taking you back three, wow, soon it’s going to be four summers ago, where we just woke up and decided to book plane tickets to realize one of our biggest dreams with my sister: fly across the Atlantic. From New York to Washington D.C, we spent two gorgeous weeks, map in hand and English words on our lips, exploring this little part of the massive United States.
By the way, the we here stands for my sister, twinnie, best travelling buddy. Obviously.
In this little crazy trip of ours, we really wanted to see Philadelphia, because while we were here, it seemed very beautiful, and also we have seen National Treasure way too many times NOT to go there. So we did. This was a very short trip, since we decided only to stay for one day -oh, how I wish we could have stayed longer, but definitely worth it. I’m going to try to take you with me on this trip with a few words and pictures.
We took the train at Penn Station, NYC, on a Friday morning, almost already sweating because it was way too hot that day. After about an hour of commute, and house-peeking through the window, we discovered what the train station was, visibly way more gorgeous than our train stations back home.
Since we were here only for a day, and we are probably the greatest -read: craziest- travel planners in the world, we had decided to walk all day long, and we did. Our legs were a bit tired but overall glad, because there is sometimes no better way to discover a city but by foot.
Down Market Street and the perpendicular streets of the city center, we discovered some sights, some unknown buildings and some other beautiful ones, stopped by a mall because who needs to buy 10+ hand-sanitiser gel from Bath and Body Works? Apparently, we do, and made our way to one of the most famous places in Philadelphia – for me -, that crazy love sign. The view wasn’t too great because there were musicians in front of the sign, but we still managed to see what was bigger in real life than I thought it’d be.
Now if you could look at what city hall looks like in my hometown, you’d laugh comparing it to its look in Philadelphia. I mean, this place is a real monument here, I remember having to check twice to see if it really was city hall. These Americans really like everything big.
Next stop in our tour was one place charged with history, beautiful, and well, yes, with its appearance in National Treasure, we were also giddy to see it. After spotting the real Declaration of Independance in the National Archives in D.C, it felt surreal to be where it was signed. Also, that place didn’t look that old somehow. On our way, we also took a peak at the National Constitution center, because, reasons. #history
After all of these historical emotions, it was probably time for a break – and for our legs to rest in lovely Franklin Square, where benches happen to be very inspirational.
We crossed Chinatown and took a smoothie close to Logan Square, surrounded by fountains, big monuments and overall Philadelphian beautifulness…
Before heading back to the train station for the surprise heat wave telling us we were stuck here. One last push to catch the last train heading back to New York, and we managed to leave. I know, maybe Philadelphia wanted to keep us for a little while more, but who knows, maybe it’s just a goodbye for now.
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
Great post Marie, <3 I always love seeing your travel adventures and reading more about them. Philadelphia sounds like an amazing city, and as a massive fan of history (seriously it's one of my favourite topics) I feel it's definitely a city I need to visit soon as well. 😀
Also I agree walking around a city is the best way to discover it all. It's what me and my sister did in New York and me and friend did in Rome, and although our feet were in agony afterwards we saw a lot of interesting sights we may have missed otherwise. 🙂
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Oh thank you so, so much Beth, I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying this. I’m having a lot of fun re-living these trips as I write the posts, I just hope I’d find a maybe more fun way to make them more attractive? I’m thinking about everything these days haha.
Ohh yes, walking is great to discover a place, our feet may not agree on that, but well…haha it’s worth the pain 😀
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
That’s all right! 😀 <3 I really am, I love seeing travelling posts and pictures from anyone really. It adds to the already really long list of places I want to visit myself! 😀
No by the end of the day you're hobbling back to your hotel room but it's definitely worth it when you think of everything you've seen and done! 😀
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Oh yes…our bucket list can never be long enough now, can it ? ?
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
Nope, definitely not. Like my to-read list my bucket list just keeps on growing.
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Well, mine too 😀
Jane the Raincity Librarian says
I love travel posts!! I especially love spontaneous travel stories, because to me that sounds the most exciting – who doesn’t dream of just deciding on a whim to fly off somewhere? Sounds like you had a great experience – I’ve never been to the eastern US! ?
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Ohh thank you so, so much Jane, I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this 🙂 I hope you’ll be able to go there someday and have as much fun as I did 🙂
Gurpreet says
as if i am there, i remember how i wanted to move to US . Thanks for the post .:)
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Thank you 🙂
Donna says
OMG I am so jealous right now!!!! I added Philly to my list of places to visit because of Jill, and I can’t wait to eat a hoagie and a cheesesteak there!
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
I’m jealous of myself four years ago as well, if that makes you feel any better hahahha. Young and free hahaha. I can imagine you exploring the city SO well right now, my sweechie, with your eternal enthusiasm and…well, to go to all the bookshops as well :p
theorangutanlibrarian says
haha wow people aren’t kidding when they say Americans like things big! I’ve not been to Philly before- but I’d love to go!
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Haha yes, well I got this cliché feeling when I got here for sure 🙂 I hope you’ll get to go someday! Thank you!! <3
theorangutanlibrarian says
haha I’ll bet! Thank you!! 🙂 You’re welcome <3
Elisabeth says
I really need to get up north at some point after seeing this! Philly is absolutely gorgeous and I want to go for the architecture if nothing else. The columns, the fountains, the ceilings! Just yes!
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Ohh where are you from, if you don’t mind me asking? I hope you’ll go there someday 😀
Elisabeth says
Texas! Bit of a drive. I’ve been up that way for a dog show, but never got to Philadelphia itself.
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Oh wow yes it’s a bit of a drive from here haha 🙂 I hope you’ll get to go someday 🙂
lindseyhabets says
Philadelphia looks amazing! I’ve never been there before but I also love National Treasure so that would be part of the fun in visiting Philadelphia 🙂 Love these travel posts, Marie! They always make me want to pack my bag and leave right now <3
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Ohhh yay! I’m so glad you like National Treasure as well, I know the movie way too much haha. Thank you! It means so much to me that you like these posts <3
amortalreader1 says
I’m finally catching up on everyone’s blogs and I am so happy to see a travelling post! Philadelphia looks amazing, I would love to travel to the US one day and I have never considered going here if i’m honest!
I haven’t watched National Treasure in so long!
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Ohh thank you! I am so happy to see you’re enjoying these kind of posts. Oh, where would be your dream destination in the world ? 😀
amortalreader1 says
I want to visit USA so bad but Australia. I have had this desire to go since I was a little girl. One day i’m going to go and my anxiety will let me haha! I would love to go to Paris as well, so many places. Where is the ultimate place for you? or have you already visited!x
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Ohh I’d love to go to Australia someday, it’s so far away though haha. It’s hard to pick one place I’d want to go to, there are so many! At the moment I’m dreaming of Australia and Canada though 🙂 I’m sure you’ll go someday! <3
amortalreader1 says
Ooo Canada Yes!
I just want to also go to every place that’s featured in a book or film I love. Like Seattle… Greys Anatomy and Fifty Shades (yes i’m that fan girl) haha!
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Hahaha oh I get it. When I went to New York and had to see the Friends building. It made me way too emotional haha. Being a fangirl is GOOD. :p
jessicasblog45 says
nice pictures. I never been there. I still want to go to Paris. I do like reading your travel posts. I went to Las Vegas after Christmas.
Marie @ drizzleandhurricanebooks says
Thank you Jessica! Oh that’s so great!! I hope you had a wonderful time there 🙂
Michelle ? says
Wow I can’t believe you were able to see and do this much in only a day haha. I’ve never been to Philadelphia and never even considered it, but your post may have convinced me 😛
Marie says
If you could see us when we travel… We’re doing WAY too much things in one single day. I think we are a bit crazy ahah.
I’m so glad! I hope you’ll get the chance to visit someday 😀