Today’s big hit was Reading Terminal Market, which I thought was run by the Amish. Turns out there were a few of them there, namely women, but you couldn’t count all the ethnic groups present. If you want to know the distinguishing feature of odd places, today is your lucky day. It’s extremely weird candy. Present was all sorts of licorice including pineapple, grape, pina colada, raspberry and watermelon. Who even thought of this idea? (Answer to rhetorical question: someone with way too much time on their hands.) My souveniers for the day are an Amish couple sculpted out of beeswax. Kinda unusual? You bet. There was also a literal hole-in-the-wall bookstore which I finally left after being complained to about being bored when surrounded by books…sigh. The Market was surrounded by food, food, and more food!!! I choose Chinese while Papa and Wendy went for the traditional Philly Cheesesteak. I think they liked it but I didn’t enjoy the looks of it. Our trip would simply not be complete without ice cream from the oldest still existing ice cream parlor in America, Bassetts (est 1861 – Civil War era). Quite excellent. By this time the aisles and food court were so crowded that I was getting a bit claustrophobic and was very glad when we finally left. I recommend visiting there, but perhaps on a weekday would be better.
P.S. This post is dedicated to Papa who said we must have lost the blogging bug since we’ve left you devoid of news. Now he can’t say that anymore. Ha!