Three days in Philly (the finale)

Big happy sigh

Good evening. It’s 11 o’clock. Time is winding down on Deanna’s Most Excellent Philly Vacation. I’m lying in bed watching Twister (a fave, rip Bill Paxton). For my last night as a solo traveler, I had a delicious dinner of carbonara, tiramisu, and a glass of Pinot Grigio.

This is my first ever solo vacation. All of my previous vacations were with family or I was meeting up with someone. Being on my own was a new experience.

And it was also a great one–traveling solo has to be a top 10 experience. Waking up whenever you want, leaving whenever you want, going home whenever you want…you get it. I highly recommend everyone get a chance to take a solo trip at least once.

For my last day in Philly, I had a bit of a late start because it was labor day and I figured most things would open late if they opened at all. I went to a noodle shop for lunch (the gyoza was great, the noodles weren’t), and then walked a half hour to Cherry Street Pier. Unfortunately, the pier was empty. On a regular day, I’m sure it’s packed. There was a mobile bar and plenty of places to sit and admire the view of the Delaware River. You can actually see New Jersey from the pier.

After that, I began the long walk back to the hotel, starting at 2nd St, and continued walking down to 12th street. I detoured for a coffee at La Colombe before heading back to the Hilton. After a two hour respite, I went out to Gran Caffé L’Aquila for my Italian dinner.

It was such a nice dinner. The pasta was great, the Phillies were on (they won their away game), and I looked cute.

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I’ve taken a ton of pictures during my vacation, Again, I’m glad I brought the X-H2S with me. When I get home, I think I’ll make another photo book like I did for my New Orleans trip.

All I did this weekend was shoot. And I’m glad about it, too. For the past month and a half, I’ve been in a photography funk and haven’t pulled out the camera just because. This vacation was the perfect opportunity for that. It also gave me an opportunity to flex my severely underused street photography skills. I gave up on street photography, at least in Cleveland, but perhaps that’s because I know the streets so well nothing surprises me anymore. By and large, not much surprises me about Cleveland anymore.

I’m not looking to leave home because it’s where my family is and where my roots are, but I definitely need to travel more. It was nice to be somewhere else. Or who knows. Maybe I do move some day.

Anyway, my work onsite starts at 10:30 tomorrow. I think I’ll get up with the camera, find a place with a good breakfast sando, try again to get a half tan from La Colombe, and then get changed and head downstairs to meet my coworkers.

Traveling solo is a 10/10 experience, especially for a photographer. Honestly, I’m already trying to figure out what my next trip should be. They’re doing the Rocky Run in November. Do I grab a gray sweatsuit and join in the fun? Maybe. I’m also trying to go back to Chicago. I know the winters are brutal, but Chicago during Christmas could be fun.

Anywho. Buona notte.