Korean BBQ- Philly Cheesesteak- Guinness with the cousin

One of our interns, Kristen, headed back to Duke Saturday morning. So Friday night we all went out to celebrate. We went to Mandu, a Korean BBQ restaurant; it was DELICIOUS!  

Nothing like I have ever had before, certainly a place I will return to. 

Bulgogi, my dish.

This is bulgogi, (불고기). It is marinated barbecued beef with vegetables and rice. AMAZING

This is duru jiigee, 돼지불고기. This dish is spicy pork belly with kimachi and rice cakes. 

These were only two of the plates we had at our table, they all looked, and from what I heard, tasted exquisite... I know mine did. 

With a little over two weeks of doing a lot of talking, but not a lot of actual planning, six other interns and myself made it to Philadelphia, PA. 

Hello Philly!!!
That is Frederica (Fed), myself and my roommate, Chris. We literally stepped off the Amtrak,  basically walked into this sign, and felt it was necessary to capture the moment. It was our first time in the city... why not?

We reserved two rooms at the Sheraton in center-city, dropped off our bags, grabbed our cameras and headed out the door. The first stop on our list was the penitentiary. I know, kinda dark... but very interesting.

Al Capone once resided here. 

I assure you, none of the other cells looked like his. 

 After leaving, we headed back towards center-city and City Hall. Philly is full of crazy murals, they all have such character and a story behind them.

 We came across Rittenhouse Square, which was filled with locals, tourists, and guests at a wedding; it was a packed park. People were enjoying their Memorial Day Weekend, and the weather was semi-decent. The next day it got brutal.

Saw this truck and instantly thought of you, dad. 

 We were headed down South street so I could see my cousin, Jenny! I was so amped to see her, it had been since Chris and Chelsea's wedding, back in October. She works at an Irish Pub called Downey's. It is off a really neat street filled with bars and places to grab a bite to eat. On our way, we came across this "museum" certainly not like the Smithsonian's I am used to :P but still neat!

 JENNY!!! So we ended up meeting at Geno's, which is one of two places that claim to be the creator of the Philly Cheesesteak. From there we walked to her apartment, which is located in a great area, I couldn't be happier for her. The place is on the third floor, just the perfect size, in a prime location.

Downtown Philly at night. 

The view from our room 

City Hall

LOVE Park or JFK Plaza

Random cool statue

The Liberty Bell

 So we were all pumped to go to this parade that takes place every year, we read about it on some website. Without having a CLUE what to expect, we hop in a cab and head down to some areas that weren't all that great. We get out, the taxi driver literally speeds away and here we are, just a few all-American interns in a setting you wouldn't picture us to be in. We though we were lost, we walked up a block, saw a man in uniform and asked him if we were in the right area, he pointed up a street then took a radio call and bolted up two houses as if he was in pursuit for a man on America's Most Wanted...not very comforting. So we walked up and saw a few people outside of their houses, and some cones blocking the streets and popped a squat on the curb. We waited, we waited, and we waited. Finally, we saw the big parade.

This was it. Men in uniform, out of place car, and students in yellow in back. This was our parade. 

She was literally OBSESSED with Philadelphia. 

So we tried to head back to center-city and we got lost several times.

She was about to have a panic attack. 

Eventually we made it back. A little disappointed with the four hours we wasted on that event, but it's okay.

Love All Serve All-I love that! 

Where the Declaration of Independence was signed

This is all in Independence Hall

Where the constitution was signed, that is the same chair where George Washington sat in. 

The first Supreme Court

Funny how people toss their pennies for good luck on the grave of a man who once said
"A penny saved is a penny earned"

Outside the US Constitution Center

Taking down the Flag at the Betsy Ross House

The first bank!!

Downey's Irish Pub-Jenny's place of work

The bridge from PA to NJ-Some awesome people!

We are probably two of the people that drink the LEAST out of everyone that we know, but we decided to go crazy and order a drink that night, so glad that we did!

It was another enjoyable adventure. I miss my cousin so much, and I am so happy for her. She has truly settled into an incredible, historic town filled with opportunities. Love ya, Jen! Come down again soon :)