First post!

Well, I'm hoping that this works OK because I don't think the computer I'm on has the most up to date drivers as just about every instruction is a series of little boxes on the screen! Anyway, on my last evening in a hotel with free internet access I thought I'd send my first blog from my trip. Have been in Phila (that's how they abbreviate it here) for 2 days now and have to say I really like this city. It has a great feel to it. In some areas it doesn't really feel like I'm in America (although that's not the reason it feels good!!) and the thing that struck me first was that almost all the buildings are brick, which may sound crazy, but when I lived in Minneapolis, my friend Molly lived in the only brick house on her street, and if you knew how long some streets were over here...! As it's the 2nd day as well, I don't have an awful lot to tell you about where I've been and what I've been doing although that is partly to do with the fact that there is a heatwave going on here where temps have been in the mid 90s and there's been the humidity to go with it - almost feel I'm back in Mumbai! As such Starbucks with its wonderful AC and iced drinks is a bit of a fave hangout at the moment! One thing that I love about the city is that you can be ambling along on an area which doesn't have much going on when suddenly you happen upon something unexpected. There was a most amazing Italian market today (which is in the guidebooks but from one street before and one after you wouldn't know it was there) and a lovely organic supermarket which would rival the one that's just opened in Chelsea I should imagine. Yesterday I found a beautiful shop called Spirit of the Artist (www.sotagifts.com) which sold the most beautiful art items. The people here are really friendly too. As for general touristy stuff, I have of course gone to see Liberty Bell and went to the Museum of Liberty yesterday along with Betsy Ross's house and Bejamin Franklin's grave. Unfortunately they don't have the London system of free entry to museums here so on my budget it's a case of picking and choosing. Another thing that almost makes this city feel like London in a way is that there are quite a few small green spaces and it makes it seem like the small squares like Paddington Street Gardens. Anyway, tomorrow I leave my life of relative luxury in this lovely hotel that is the Alexander Inn (Jim and Rachel - it's lovely, you'll like it here) and head for my first hostel. Fortunately I walked past it yesterday and discovered it only opens in the morning for a couple of hours and then from 4.30pm 'til midnight or that could have been a long day walking round with the rucksack! 'Til the next time!