The Sound of Philadelphia
It’s more commonly known as the theme music to the original ‘Soul Train,’ this was the theme of my birthday weekend, as my wife and I traveled to the City of Brotherly Love to celebrate 27 years of my existence. Unfortunately, Philly also doubled this weekend as the City Where It Won’t Stop Raining, and the Windy City, and crazy weather dampened the travel but not the spirit.
I’ve never felt like such a kid and such an adult at the same time. For some reason, I was particularly excited about this birthday. Mostly because it was my first as a married man, but also because I feel so excited about the continuing process of growing up and maturing. As it turned out, the planned activities would mirror this sentiment.
After a modest lunch, I was offered several options for a midday activity. One was to hear a lecture at nearby Temple University on the modern day effects resulting from slavery, another was to go to the aquarium in nearby Camden, NJ., and the other was to go shopping. While I normally jump at the chance to learn any history, and was in desperate need of some new jeans, I settled for the aquarium. What can I say? I’m a Pisces.
The trip to the aquarium was much more fun than I could’ve imagined having at an aquarium on my 27th birthday. I haven’t been to something like that since my childhood, and while the screaming and running children did test my patience, I did enjoy seeing many species of crabs, fish, and other marine life. Did you know that only two species of penguins live above the equator? Shocked the heck out of me too.
A couple of hours later, and after a great visit with my adopted family in Camden by way of my former college roommate, we ventured back to downtown Philly for a late evening dinner reservation at Le Bec Fin restaurant. Swanky doesn’t even begin to describe it. Now, we do pretty good for our age in terms of making money, (and you can ensure that by faithfully clicking the advertisements to your right) but this place was off the chain. Chandeliers, silverware that was actual silver, just like something on a television show. I hate to sound like I’ve never been anywhere, but I’ve never been in a place like this.
Three hours and seven courses later, we were finally done. The food was excellent, if you like the French exotic type of deal. A couple of things to note: 1) It took all three hours just to serve everything. They make sure you don’t look like a greedy pig in their spot. 2) I would have much rather eaten at Golden Corral. 3) My girl really went all out for my birthday, and it was the most incredible time I’ve had since our honeymoon.
I don’t know how I’m going to top this for her birthday this summer. It might just involve an actual trip to France.