Staging in Philadelphia!

Hola!!

Well, I'm here in Philadelphia! It's been a VERY long day, but well worth it. Justin dropped me off at the airport shortly after 5am and we said our goodbyes (tear...sad face...). I made perfect timing to board, and studied the arabic alphabet pretty much the whole way to Philly (minus a chat with a random but very nice German research scientist/lecturer). I'm happy to have done so much traveling in my life... getting out of the airport and into a shuttle proved little challenge for me!

The hotel I'm staying at is in the heart of the old historical districts. After checking in, I immediately came back downstairs and took off wandering (structured aimlessness is what I call it) throughout the city. I saw Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the site of the Continental Congress and the Tomb of the Unnamed Soldiers, Penn Station, and enjoyed my afternoon meandering throughout all of the parks and quaint (albeit lively) city streets. I also found time to stop and have my palm read (apparently I seek adventure and am full of life, am looking for change, and am conflicted by desires to explore the world and never look back versus to stay in one place with the people I love...EERY how dead on she was!).

After exploring for several hours I headed back to the hotel and ate (what else??) a delicious Philly Cheesteak. After dinner I met my hotel roomate MJ, who I'm convinced is an Oregon-raised version of myself!

Tomorrow I'm planning on having an easy morning and perhaps touring Independence Hall. Registration begins at 1:30 sharp, and no way would I be late for that!! Guess I'll go to bed now to make sure I am all ready to go tomorrow.

Miss everyone!

Stephanie