Philly fun

This is where I am writing you from right now. It's a little, cute, neighborhood cafe in North Philly. Philly is a very interesting place. I have been welcomed in to a friend of a friend's warehouse living space to stay for my time in Philly (about a week). The place I'm staying is a very Oakland-esque warehouse with built-in studios and many roomates. I really like this whole warehouse conversion movement that is sweeping the nation. I wonder if this happens in every city now-adays? Anyways this particular warehouse used to be a textile factory in the Industrial Revolution days. This whole city is an awesome representation of post-industrial revolution progression. There's lots of old dilapidated buildings, lots of partially burned down buildings, and lots of "grit" as they say here. But all of this is paired with neighborhood alleys and markets, narrow streets that remind me of being in Quebec. Culturally rich. I really like it here despite its uber-cityness.

So now I am en route back to The West, finally. It was tough, at times, living all the way out here in a seemingly foreign land. I cant wait to start up silks again and see friends and family.

New Day:

I went on an adventure alone in the city today. I rode the "El" to a few stops west of where I am. Stopped in the "Old City" of Philly. That was kinda boring, reminded me a lot of a bigger old town Sacramento. Then it was getting dark out and cold so I went to West Philly and walked around, got a ginormous Asian pear. It was so good. Riding public transportation in a big city is as little alienating. No one talks to each other or looks at each other its so weird. It's like everyone is afraid of each other or something

Last night, however, was such fun! It was getting late and the people who live where I am staying (the warehouse) were all off on their own adventures. So I made contact with a couchsurfer, Maddy, I contacted before I came to see if she was doing anything. I'd never met her before, but she was down to ride her bike over here and then we both rode our bikes to her friend's house which was just a few blocks away. We stayed there for a while and ended up playing fun kids games and watching Star Trek: Next Generation. It was a great night. Then we were yalking about plans for the rest of the week til I leave and it turns out Maddy and her friends are going to Northern PA tomorrow and staying the night.....that sounded fun so I'm joining in on their adventure. I love meeting random people. You never know what kinda fun things you'll get in to if you don't go out on a limb and just meet folks, ya know?

Words of wisdom from Sprout: Don't be afraid of people. We all have stories and a lot of people are interesting. Never miss a connection, they could end up being a life long friend.


Hang (HA-aaah-ong) players:

Sprout Out!