From Daniel Charlip–Blumlein:

We got to Philadelphia last night from Boston after a 6-hour drive. We went straight to South Street where we had time for dinner and looking around the unique area. I went to Jim Steaks for their famous Cheese Steaks. Then we went to our hotel, which was actually in New Jersey.

The next day we went to the National Constitution Center. At the Center we learned about the history of the Constitution and how it was drafted. I never realized how much debate went into the writing of the document. I just thought it was generally agreed upon. Then we walked to the Bourse, which was the old Currency Exchange. It now houses restaurants and shops. We had lunch there. After lunch we stopped by the buildings where they debated and wrote the Constitution and then went to see the Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell is a symbol of our freedom and it was really awesome. I learned a lot about its history and it’s travels. Billy tied in our Jewish identity with the bell, and America, by explaining how the inscription on the bell is from the book of Leviticus in the Torah. We ended our visit to Independence Mall by visiting Ben Franklin’s house and the museum that accompanies it. I had no idea he was such a prominent inventor. We got to watch someone play a glass harmonica that he invented.

On our way out of Philadelphia we went to the Philadelphia Art Museum where we ran up the steps just as native son Rocky did in the movie “Rocky”. Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, is a great American City steeped in history.