Ruby Likes Philadelphia

Just back from our July 4th trip to Philadelphia -- and a forced excursion to the re-enactment of the Battle of Gettysburg (less of a hit with Mai in particular). Philadelphia was great. Stayed in the center near Rittenhouse Square, where we pretended to be posh locals staying at a nice 'boutique hotel' who upgraded us to the suite because we asked -- and because we had a whipsnap.

• On the 3rd, we went up the City Hall tower and met a Spanish couple from Valencia, then wandered around Antique Row and looked for lemonade. Later Ruby had her first experience with something called 'dinner,' actually sitting at a table as people ate meals after 5pm! We ended up befriending a local couple at the next table -- here for two years, with a five-year-old daughter. Robert: 'We're definitely not in New York.'
• On the 4th, we randomly bumped into the Spaniards, then heard the Philly mayor speak at Independence Hall, then got some lemonade and ice cream at a century-old-styled ice creamery where the parade stopped. No one knew that. We didn't either. Then realized we had the best seat in town. Ruby was thrilled by the spectacle, kicking and yelling like an over-sugared elf in 'Elf.' She particularly liked the drums. And one of the Bolivian dancers seeing her, broke from line to pose for a video. We had to pass on Sheryl Crow's free concert at the Museum of Art -- even in Philly, Ruby's asleep by 7pm.
• On the 5th, we drove to Gettysburg in time for a cavalry battle -- 'there is a lot of confusion on the field' said the re-enactment's MC -- and baked in the hot sun. A lot of beards in Gettysburg. And people in 'Little House on the Prairie' sun dresses or heavier wool uniforms walked around all the town's sites.