Packed bags in hands, Mom, Dad, and Roxy on either side of me. They smile and say, "We're taking a trip to Philly, except for when we get there, we're dropping you off." One-way flight to Philadelphia...wow! This is it.
I've always had a bug in me to live in the East Coast, and was never really sure why. Something intrigued me about this place - the weather, the people, the trendy-fashion, the fast-paced lifestyle - I don't know, I couldn't put my finger on it because I've never been until I stepped foot in the City of Philadelphia on February 18, 2006. (I've visited Lancaster, PA and New York City in 2004, but does an 11-day trip count?) I've read stories, watched the news, and kind of got an idea of what Philly was about before I moved here, but never did I imagine how I perceive it now.
Moving across the country from South San Francisco to the Port Richmond area in Philly, and working as an After School Counselor in an inner-city school changed my life instantly. I, for once, was the minority. I would look around and notice that I was the only "Asian" person. It was quite strange. I've even had people people drive by with their windows open and blurt out something like, "Ching, ching, chong" and laugh. To clear things up, I'm pretty sure that doesn't mean anything in any language AND I'm of Filipino decent. To those idiots that blurt stuff out like that, learn the difference.
Originally, I came to Philly to go to school at Temple University because I truly admired Bill Cosby and in some weird sense, I hoped to be like him. Yes, I realize that I'd never be...as funny as he, but I would try. ;) Realizing how dangerous the city really is, I decided to wait off for school and figure something else out. Luckily, I got a full-time position as a teacher in an inner-city school who will help me get my Master's in Education at St. Joseph's University.
Back home, I started to get bored with the same old pattern - Clear skies, 70 degrees, sunny - chance of rain - clear skies, 70 degrees, sunny - rain - fog. There wasn't much of difference in seasons, winter couldn't made you believe it was summer, and fall and spring were interchangable. I might be exaggerating to make a point, so don't take me too literally. The point is, I was bored and needed change. Philly provided such change - FOUR SEASONS, yay! We had three "snow storms" my first winter, and I loved the looks of it, but did not appreciate driving or walking in it. I spent 2 hours shoveling my front steps and sidewalk in West Philly (my second place in Philly), took me about half an hour to get my car out of the slush and ice that it was burried in, and I learned to drive like an East Coaster, better yet a Philadelphian. I just love it!
The fact that Philadelphians don't use (or most times, don't know) the term "jay-walking" is unusal to me! People here cross the street like their life is at risk, and for the most part...it is! Drivers will not stop for the love of them! Which is how IT SHOULD BE...none of this "Pedestrians have the right of way." Do you know how much more difficult it is to stop a 2-ton car? A lot more than a person crossing the street. It's law to stop for them, so I do, but I've seen some risky business out there. Drivers running red lights even before the lights turn green, barely stopping or not stopping at all at stop signs - it's ridiculous. Drivers speeding on, what you call, the Turn-Pikes. Back home, I've been pulled over for going 60 MPH on a 45 MPH, roll-stopping at a stop sign, and for NOT running over a possum. You heard me right, NOT running it over. I learned that it was law to hit all animals in Cali except for deer. I still second-guess it. So when I see these drivers speed up as a pedestrian steps onto the street, all I can do is scoff. I crack up even more when I see huge guys with bling, a do-rag, and baggy pants try to cross the street, not so hardcore running.
In San Francisco, people use the crosswalks like it's a protector of all harm, no car would dare hit them, and for the most part, they're right. Californian drivers will wait, even if someone hasn't set foot on the street yet...they'll just wait, and this is extremely annoying to me.
In high school, I had a friend who used the crosswalk, but didn't press the crosswalk button to cross, got hit by a car, broke his arm, and got fined for "jay-walking." Not in Philly, nope!
Sports fans here are absolutely CRAZY! I thought it was extreme back home, but I was completely off. I keep my SF-tendencies to myself just so that I won't get hurt in the mix of things. Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, and the E-A-G-L-E-S, I'll root for them, but you can't let my brothers know. I wouldn't be caught in their gear though, I promise you that, it'd be wrong of me. I love the dedication of the fans, win or lose. I've learned to stay indoors if there is a lose, people get rowdy and MEAN!
Before I end this, I have to give props to the most delicious food I've ever had, other than my grandma's cooking, of course. No wonder this place is so fatty, fat, fat. No offense, but if you're one of them, you know what I'm talking about when I say cheesesteaks, soft-pretzels, pizza, 'wooter' ice, hoagies, and the TastyKakes. This might be one of the reasons why I wouldn't go back to the west.
One fault though, that I've learned to live with - the potholes Philly just can't get enough of. Drive around them or bust.
Philly...best decision ever!
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