Philly Day 2

Okayyyyy today marks the second day of our trip and so far mine and Elizabeth's favorite! We began our day at the looming, dark Eastern State Penitentiary which is world renowned as the most revolutionary of prisons when it was built. In fact, many other nations still use the same layout for their systems. It was based on solitary confinement, believing that if the criminal had time to  reflect on their crimes they would reevaluate thier lives and change them for the better. Upon first inspection, the massive 30 foot brick walls and the gothic stylle architectureof the entrance are very...scary.  Of course, they did this to deter prisoners from ending up there in  the first place. It opened in 1829,and was built over a mile from the city. However, as time wore on and the prisons became overcrowded, the "Penn State Prison System" fell out of fashion and it became less about solitude and reflection and more about punishment. It did house soe pretty notable people, such as Mobster AlCapone''s who's cell had a one on so called "Park Avenue" and even had paintings on his walls.
     AFter the 1970s closuure, the building fell into dilapidation which is the ruinous shape it mostly is  in today. Of course, this makes it creepy and real, with some cells completely resotred and most the same as it looked when the doors closed for the last timee all those years ago. It was an astounding place and I couldn't get enough of it.

   AFter leaving there, we walked down to the beautiful Rodin Museum, a true gem tucked away besde the Ben Franklin Parkway, surrounded by gardens and filled with Rodin's stunning sculptures. Then, we GOT FOOD. It was in the small Darling's Cafe that has some of Philly's best cheesecake. It wsa great as wel as the panini I had :)

The famous Rocky steps came next, and we of course climbed them to stand infrot of the Museum of Art and look out over the city, towards city hall where the incredible Wahsigton statue faces. I loved that view and I love this city. People are so nice and friendly, much  moreso than I expected! Every other time I've been here, we've ridden in a bus or stayed at Independence Park, but aswe've walked and looked and seen what we have, I've truy gotten a glimpse of the city and its people - the "brotherly love"
does seem to still exist.

We contiued on to such an itneresting sight and museum - Mutter Museum of AMerican Medical History that housed a number of bizarre things. It had a SUPERCOOL exhibiton the Brothers' Grimm and how their fairy tales were allegorical as well and drewparallels to bizarre medical illnesses in their time. Aside from their extensive skull collection and the largest skeleton in North America, I saw a club foot (BOB!)  and a skeleton with FOP (MOM!) the disease that causes a skeleton to ossify, They had fetuses in jars from 1-40 weeks and even a piece of Einstein's brain. Its been open since 1863, so apparently medicalanomalies have always been an attraction for tourists.

From there, we wandered back to the hotel, meandering slowly and enjoying ourselves, just takign in the city. (This usually is impossible considering Dr. Roberts pace and his "seen it and leave it" atitude, haha). Westopped at the LOVE Statue and the City Hall which had a walkway to a center courtyard. It is a remarkable piece of architecture and something your could look at for days without seeing all its detail. Tonight is still up in the air, but I'll absolutely let ya know the dinner plans when we havee them. For now...? LET'S EAT!

The pictures are in the order I'vee talkedabout my day.Comment if you dont understand one! I'm sorry I can't putcaptions,I dont have a computer and this app is TERRIBLE.