Some think I exaggerate when I call Philly my dream city, but yes, I’ve dreamed of her since I was a teen. My childhood home across the river in Jersey gave me a perfect view growing up. Frequent visits in high school revealed all the buzz and excitement I was missing in my suburban life. I soaked in all the sights and scenes on the street, curious like a sponge until I finally achieved my dream: an apartment in the City—for me, Philly was always the City.
"Philly's roughness: a sense of assurance from its perseverance."
I still remember my first impressions looking out from that apartment. I felt the roughness of Philly and its people passing by– all endowed with a sense of assurance from their perseverance. My beloved experiences beforehand could never have lived up to the gifts of my new city life. I only wish someone warned me about those trolley tracks!
When I arrived to start my new job at the University, Philly gave me an array of tools to prepare for a harsh world. Â
To a different eye, the city can appear dirty and rundown; however, to me, its roughness and grime encapsulate a sense of beauty. Mural-covered walls neighbor vacant buildings partially reclaimed by nature. Their vibrant colors paint a hopeful future with genuineness. Front porches are mended with scrap wood and decorated with mosaics of repurposed materials. The preserved foundations of these residences and buildings alike live as idols to past generations. An appreciation for rich history inspires ingenious creativity that, in turn, preserves the very essence of the city. Â
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I feel an appreciation for the original, an attitude that resists the reconstruction and replacement of anything that isn’t authentically Philadelphia. These unspoken signs filled my young, uncertain heart with the determination and gratitude to face any obstacles city life has to offer.Â
"Philly's roughness and grime encapsulate a sense of beauty that preserves authenticity and sparks hope."
Riding my bike in Philly became a joyful habit just a year after my move; gliding through bustling traffic connected me deeper with the surrounding neighborhoods. Gushing wind brushes against my slightly sweaty body, I’m hit with the blend of scents exploding around me. The thrill of biking through the city activates my sensations; I ride hyper-attentive and in sync with the streets underneath me. Cruising down Market Street I avoid potholes and pedestrians. Art installations consume my attention, waving hello and goodbye as I pass. The sense of freedom encouraged me to experience the city with every fiber of my being.
As I made myself more vulnerable to Philadelphia, I was rewarded with a plethora of intimacy that no drive through the city could mimic. I feel more capable with each journey to distant neighborhoods: I saw parents helping their children move furniture into their first college dorms; I saw a couple holding hands for wedding photos at the City Hall; I saw people in glamorous costumes marching in honor of Juneteenth celebrations.
"Each glimpse into Philadelphian life revealed individual journeys existing as part of a larger whole, filled with hope for the future, joy for the present, and an appreciation for the past. It is in these journeys that I feel most connected to the Philadelphia spirit. I, too, am a part of this story!"
A city with too many differences might become too indifferent, a place where the residents each become an island of their own. Yet, Philly’s equality isn’t mere indifference. After a decade-long stay, it’s easy to feel the city’s rawness seeping deeply into my bones, yielding unshakable courage forged from the community itself. The compassionate and the creative weave tight-knit communities that look out for one another.
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 At each moment throughout the day when I look out into the world from the 30th Street Station, the University campus, along the Schuylkill River Trail, or the museum steps, I see people holding themselves up with a strong backbone that we all share. I know it deep in my heart: that backbone is the spirit of Philadelphia.  Â
(Location courtesy: Rodin Museum; Barnes Foundation)
MY PHILLY FAVORITES
Click each location for more infomation
Coffee:Â
Eatery & Restaurant:
- Filipino-Â Perla
- Lebanese- Manakeesh Cafe Bakery & Grill
- Italian- Dante & Luigi's
- Italian- Fiorella Pasta
- Thai- Kalaya Thai Kitchen
Bars:
Shops:
Museums & Arboretum:
Park:
