Revolution, Magic Gardens and Coldplay

Revolution

A poster of George Washington that says "Washington's Tent"

The day is sunny and warm. We take the subway down to the Historic District to see the Museum of the American Revolution.

There are lots of school groups coming into the museum when we arrive.

The museum was interesting but the best part was a movie about George Washington’s military command tent and at the end of the movie (spoiler alert) the screen raises and there stands the original tent. Very cool.

Magical Gardens

A lady sitting on a tiled bench, in front of a tiled wall with plants beside her

a gazebo with a chandelier made from recycled trash surrounded by tiled walls We walk to South Street which is a trendy/artsy area with a few sex shops thrown in at the beginning.

It is on South Street that we visit The Magical Gardens. They are in a curvy, multilayered yard created entirely by garbage, broken tiles, old bicycle wheels and more. They are quite small, we didn’t rush and we were through in about 20 minutes, so I found the $15 US entrance fee rather steep.

Rittenhouse

a brass band in front of a gazebo in a lush, green park

two plates on a table, one with tacos and the other with a sandwhich We walk Broad Street (aka Avenue of the Arts) back to Rittenhouse Square area where we are able to get a table at Bar Bombon, a vegan restaurant that we were not able to get into the other night.

Lunch is delicious and I see why they are so highly recommended.

We’re feeling relaxed so we go to the square and grab a shaded bench. A brass band of talented young musicians called Big Boy Brass are playing contemporary and older tunes. They are really good. What a way to while away a sunny afternoon.

Around Town

a man standing between statues of Ben Franklin and George Washington shaking hands

a man standing and facing the camera on a trail that is lined by trees We walk to the Masonic Temple in order to take a tour. Argh! We had just missed the last guided tour.

It is really hot and we head back to our Airbnb to get ready for the Coldplay concert.

On our way back we discover a railway that had been changed to a parkland pathway, very similar to the High Line Park in NYC.

Off to the Concert

A man and woman standing in front od a large football stadium called Lincoln Financial Stadium

We have a quick break before heading to the concert. The subways are a bit confusing many people in a parking lot having picnics behind their cars because they don’t have a lot of directional signs. At one point we are told we need to leave the station, cross a busy road and go into the station on the other side. We know we are on the right train because a lot of the other passengers are wearing Coldplay shirts.

Lincoln Financial Field is a huge football stadium. People are having tailgate parties in the parking lot with bbqs.

Finding our seats is a challenge because the place is so big. One of the event staff informs us that there are two hours of warm up bands before Coldplay comes on.

Time to head over to the very large air conditioned lounge for beer ($20 CAN each) and John has a $10 hotdogs. Not many veggie options so I have nuts.

Coldplay at Last

the head of a man with his arms up with a pink background

a band on a platform surrounded by lots of people This is Coldplay’s sustainability tour called ‘The Music of the Spheres Tour”. People are riding bikes and jumping on dance floors to create energy.

There is a real mix of ages from the very young to the very old…much older than John and I.

Chris Martin's head on a large round screeen with the stage below surrounded by tiny blue lights Words do not do it justice. Coldplay never fails to blow it out of the water.

Once again, everyone is given bracelets that coordinate with the lighting and pyrotechnics…not to mention the fireworks, balloons and confetti. Check out the short video here.

Near the end of the show it starts to rain. Coldplay continues the show with all the special effects. Awesome concert.

We are really wet.

Wet, Wet, Wet

The heads of a man and a woman who are soaking wet

Normally the subway doesn’t run this late but as we get there (looking for the bus), transit staff are waving people into the subway saying that the ride is free.

It is pouring as we exit our stop. I can’t see because the rain is so strong and my hair is plastered to my glasses. Rivers are running down the streets. We don’t even try to stay out of them because we can’t be any more wet then we already are. I hold onto John and he gets us back to our airbnb.