A necessary layover between flights made it possible to plan a visit to Philadelphia and the incredible Barnes's Foundation collection of Impressionist art.  The visit was well worth the effort and down time.  Philadelphia's downtown in warm, sunny weather is a welcoming architectural forest of interesting buildings.  It might not be so welcoming on a drippy, cold day, but in weather warm enough to enjoy the top deck of a double-decker tour bus it is fun and fascinating.  And the city's open spaces limit the claustrophobia you can feel in urban canyons of cities such as New York and San Francisco.  

There are constant reminders of the important part(s) Philadelphia played when the nation was forming: Ben Franklin statues, Betsy Ross courtyards, Constitution Hall, and the house where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence.  Modern street scenes complete the circle, from crowds on the museum steps Rocky ran up in training to performers with drum sets or trumpets or violins, and multitudes of jersey-ed Philadelphia Eagles fans anticipating a big home game.

Selfies outside Constitution Hall

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The Hall reflected in the display museum and Benj. Franklin

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Street scene: Where Jefferson drafted the Declaration

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Surprisingly wide vistas at street level despite big buildings EF4A8147 EF4A8190 EF4A8191 EF4A8198 EF4A8178 EF4A8180 EF4A8364 EF4A8369 EF4A8374 EF4A8375 EF4A8379 EF4A8386

A contrast, a few blocks away

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Eagles' fans anticipate the game; getting her up was easier than figuring out how to get her down.

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