Busy sidewalks, City sidewalks
At one point this evening, I was sitting outside Anthony’s Coffee Shop in the Italian Market, sipping a latte (my pregnancy craving, I am usually a black coffee, no sugar, no cream girl) and watching as the sun set over a few skyscrapers in Philly. My girls were drinking chocolate milk out of tiny little “to go” espresso cups and seriously working on a chocolate chip cookie. Chris was finishing up his espresso and contemplating going to the Spice Corner across the street. It was one of those moments that was just so perfect that you don’t want it to end.
The whole day had come mighty close to a lot of those moments.
The morning notwithstanding (yeah, we were at work and I was on the phone with IRS all morning), it was a good day. Chris and I took the girls into town. We had lunch at the Union League, where the bartender prepared two cups of maraschino cherries and orange slices to keep the girls busy while we waited for our food. The girls had grenadine and milk to drink – a trick I learned from the La Creperie to replicate strawberry milk, Katie loves the stuff, and I had a Shirley Temple, my second ever. Lunch was yummy.
After lunch, we headed to the Italian Market – Esposito’s, specifically, in search of a crown roast. Of course, they prepare it from scratch, and there was a little bit of a wait while they did it, so we wandered through the market. We were headed to DiBrunos, where they have the most amazing cheeses – and the smell, it just smells like the holidays. Olives. Cheese. Pepperoni.
The line to get into DiBrunos was remarkably long. Yet, the folks who were waiting were cheerful and not at all in a hurry. And why should they be? It was a perfect evening out, the end of the work week, just before the holidays. I’m guessing most of those who chose to stay in line were hosting parties or dinners – and they wanted the best. And DiBrunos has it.
We went to the produce stand – our favorite for the last ten years - and loaded up on veggies and fruit for Christmas dinner. They had fresh figs – I haven’t had them since moving up north. I bought two pints and I plan to bake them with prosciutto and cheese for appetizers. Deep inhale. I can taste it already.
Chris and Amy waited while Katie and I went to the Spice Corner for the first time. I got peppercorns but couldn’t find the multi-colored ones, or mulling spices. That explains why Chris went back later.
We went back to Esposito’s to pick up our crown roast and purchase a few other things. It was getting late and Katie wanted a cookie. We had promised her a treat for going potty earlier in the day (she’s on a roll lately) so we decided to stop at the coffee shop and take a break. Some of the Christmas lights were just coming on for the evening, it was really beautiful out. The energy was great, with shoppers all around – such great hustle and bustle. Just beside the coffee shop was a little boutique where I picked up a small ring for myself and a little something for Katie. I chatted with the owner about real estate prices and then headed back out into the Market.
Before we headed home, we headed for the Christmas lights on 13th Street. If you’ve never seen them, they’re terrific. Really kitschy. The whole block looks festive. Katie got a kick out of them (me too).
And all night long, I couldn’t figure it out – why folks prefer the plain vanilla big box blandness of Wal-Marts and shopping malls over the vibrancy and energy of places like South Philly. As I sat at the coffee shop, watching the throngs of shoppers and listening to Katie chatter on, obviously enjoying herself, I couldn’t help but think about my good friend who waited at the Willow Grove Mall with her son to watch Santa make an appearance. Santa came early and she missed it, while she was eating a burrito at Taco Bell at the Food Court. What is the appeal in that?
Every now and again, I wonder if we shouldn’t move – in search of better schools and bigger houses, less bureaucracy and more enforcement. And then I remember why I love my neighborhood and this city that I call home.
I didn’t grow up in a city. I grew up in a small town in the rural South. My nearest neighbors were two miles away. I didn’t get the chance to see other Christmas lights or have chocolate chip cookies with my mom at a cool coffee shop.
My girls are getting to do those things.
This isn’t a critique of rural versus urban. I don’t believe that one is necessarily better than the other. They are, to sound canned and trite, just different.
But the thing I don’t get is how you can live near a city, a great city like Philly, and choose not to embrace the energy and opportunity that it has, but rather relegate your life to the big box, sanitized for your convenience culture. Cause you’re missing a whole lot, trust me.
That said, no matter what your location, or what your idea of a good time is, I hope that each of you is taking the time to enjoy the holidays, spending time with your family and friends and remembering those moments that collectively, make us who we are. That’s the best part of the season.
Have a wonderful holiday.