Chi Town, It's Always (not)Sunny in Philadelphia, NYC

Yesterday was a busy day. I don't think I've ever spent substantial periods of time in 3 major cities in one day, so it was definitely a first. First I got a ride to the blue line and took the El to Chicago O'Hare in the morning. My flight was delayed for about an hour and a half, and judging by the weather reports they were showing on TV, I was beginning to worry if I'd make it. But things ended up working out just fine. I landed in Philadelphia without a problem and was able to catch up with Neena, my friend who went to Chile with me, for a few hours. She took me to this amazing little hole-in-the-wall flower shop/grocery store/restuarant where I got a pretty authentic Mexican Torta (sandwich) of chicken and beans and other good stuff. It was amazing. After a few hours of catching up, I got on the bus as planned to NYC and made my way to Adam's place.

I have experienced quite the variety of public transportation over the past few days. Once you've managed one subway system, it's pretty easy to get a handle on any of them. They're pretty uniform from Santiago, to Mexico City, to Chicago, to New York. The trolley in Phildelphia is kind of unique, though. It runs above and below ground, and it was kind of weird to be in a subway-type setting and see only one car whiz by, instead of a long train.

Phildelphia definitely has a unique feel to it. I've never been in a city quite like it before; although, now that I think of it, I've probably been in more foreign major cities than American. It was quite bleak coming in from the airport. The SEPTA train that you use to get to the city looks really old, and that, combined with the dreary weather and industrial landscape, was a bit depressing at first. Once I got downtown, though, it had a completely different feel. I think I'd like to spend more time there eventually, it seems like an interesting place with a lot of diversity.

I haven't done a whole lot of exploring New York, yet. I was so wired from the amound of traveling I did yesterday that I wasn't all that tired until about midnight, but I think I'm feeling it a little more today. A nap seems like a glorious idea right now. So for now, I'm catching up on some last minute loose ends I need to tie up before leaving the country and relaxing a little. That and not spending money downtown, which is probably for the best right now. I have the rest of the weekend to do that.

This whole expereince has already shown me how fortunate I am to be able to do the things I'm doing. As the bus (with a whopping 3 passengers, including myself) began to enter New York, I found myself giggling out loud at how ridiculous this whole idea really is. There are very few people in this world who have the same opportunities I have, and that fact isn't lost on me.