5 Stops We're Glad We Made in Philly

As we prepared to say goodbye to our little boy for 8 days it was awesome that we were able to bring him with us to the East Coast (our flight to Israel was out of JFK) and have my mom fly down from Alaska to watch him at her dad’s (my Gramps’) home in Maryland. Heading to Maryland was a tradition for my family growing up, and now for Phil and I, to spend some time out there every summer - sooooo  it worked perfectly for us to leave little Phil there to enjoy the water and playtime with my niece and nephew (who my mom brought with her from Alaska…Super Grandma) and for us to be able to spend time before and after Israel in Maryland with some of my mom’s side of the family - and to have an old bay infused crab feast.

Because of where my Gramps’ is located it is super easy to get to many of the main East Coast hot spots - Baltimore, D.C., New York…and one of my personal favorites Philadelphia. 

As a kid growing up in Alaska visiting Philadelphia every summer was one of the highlights. Some of the many, many differences include humidity, diversity, cobblestone streets, old buildings, the smells, the sounds. Visually and culturally so different. Which made it one of my favorite cities for a long time. 

Now I love visiting with Philip (and little Phil…though I’m looking forward to when he’s a bit older and can appreciate the history). After being sick (#ew) before we left for our trip, then being in Israel, we hadn’t had good coffee in several weeks (which is basically forever in our world)…so we headed into Philly with a mission. My cousin Zach joined us which made it even more fun! He got to witness what it looks like when we go pretty much anywhere. Lots of Yelping, coffee and taking photos.

We only had a few hours in the late morning - the crabs were ready at 3pm and when I say those are priority…I mean no chain can keep me away from their goodness type of priority. Any other crab lovers out there?

Our first stop was Federal Donuts - Phil loved them, and I'll agree that they were good but personally nothing I’m craving. I’d like to try them one more time when I go back just because I feel like I should have loved them. We got several hot (which were the underwhelming ones for me….) and one specialty - which was my favorite. Of course Little Phil was all about it. The incredible wall art was awwwwesome. 

Next stop - coffee time! La Colombe. I know La Colombe is pretty big now but I’ve only been once to one in Chicago and wanted to go again. Service was awesome…they had a “geisha” on their list of pour over options but when we ordered he said they were out. After chatting with him a bit he was able to find enough beans to make one more cup of it! Needless to say we were stoked. The fruitier the better and geishas are hard for Phil and I to pass up. I don't remember exact varietals, but Zach got an Ethiopian - or, I guess we got an Ethiopian for Zach - and we ordered their Columbian to try as well. The blueberry notes in the geisha hit the spot and was the perfect way to break our coffee fast. The same fabulous barista also gave us a flight of espressos to try on the house - so good. 

Next door to La Colombe was this sweet antique store, which maybe it’s the living in San Diego, but I thought his prices were amazing. Love when people don’t try and take you for all you have (ahem, looking at you San Diego antique stores) just because they can. His stuff was really fun to peruse and the owner was awesome. If you’re ever in Philly you should check it out! Since our family of 3 travels everywhere with just one suitcase - we’re going to have to bite the bullet at some point…packing is getting more and more stressful trying to avoid that painful “you’re over 50 pounds…” - we didn’t get anything, besides the little cars Little Phil picked out for his cousins and himself. Though the prices of some of the furniture was tempting!

We were a bit jittery at this point - especially Zach (first time trying artisan light roast third wave coffee will do that to you) so we hit up this sweet shop for nothing else but Philly cheesesteaks (when in Rome right?). With Whiz. Happy dancing all the way to the next coffee shop. Because we needed some for the drive home of course.

I’ve had ReAnimator bookmarked for awhile so hitting it up was a must. Their shop was pretty sweet and their baristas even sweeter. We ended up walking out with some freebies…3 bags of 3 different varietals to try. Which btw…coming home and having fresh coffee was a #blessed moment for sure. Their coffee is supposedly lighter roast than Heart coffee. Now that we were properly caffeinated we could head back for those crabs (which Phil isn’t a huge fan of…but the more for me I suppose…Little Phil loved them)

If you made it this far....you have earned this esteemed and most coveted blue ribbon *hands you second hand state fair ribbon* K...thanks. No, but seriously you're awesome and I hope you have an awesome day or night wherever you are...

xoxo,

Esther

Take Me to the Promiseland - Part Two

- Before I jump into part two of our Israel trip - 

*gets up on box* In light of the news in the past 24 hours or so I feel like breaking my FB status silence by sharing a little friendly reminder that as we go about our lives we begin &/or continue to lift up in prayer the people that are hurting in our world. So many are right now AT THIS VERY MOMENT grieving the loss of loved ones. So many are living shellshocked and scarred in need of healing and our love. So many are currently literally scared for their lives - wondering if they'll make it out alive.

Oftentimes some of these situations can feel so far from us, but the reality is that they are actually crazy close. It really is a small world. These are our fellowman. These are people whose lives & homes we may not know personally but are of value - they are the people who make this world a wonderful, diverse, beautiful and I would dare say - a better place. Whose names we might not know, but who are of worth and are worthy of our prayers and compassion or however else we can help and stand alongside those hurting.
From those in the U.S. to Kenya to France to those now literally stuck in chaotic Turkey - (just to list a few) - my heart is with you and I am praying. Praying for protection, for hope, and for healing. Mark 12:31

- DAY THREE -

The morning of day 3 we were ready to make the drive for our 3 nights in Jerusalem. I must've completely missed the memo (more than likely) because as we neared the city I realized our first stop was the holocaust museum, Yad Vashem. *insert panicked Esther* I am not a crier. It's actually something I need to work on...feeling. Or allowing myself to feel. Or to express rather. It takes legit effort for me to show sadness. I'm quicker to be mad about injustices or sad situations than sad. Anyway...I knew that if anything can make me cry, and this has only been strengthened by being a mom, is the loss of innocent children. Well our first stop was the children's memorial. OH DEAR GOSH. Going into it our guide Yoav (who btw is the best and if you're ever in need of a guide in Israel UMMM...highly recommend) said that as we heard the names being said as we walked through the memorial to pick one and think about that specific name & child. Well as I walked and listened to name after name all I could feel was my mama heart and it was as if my own son's name and sweet face was melting into these precious children's names and faces and all I could feel was the love and grief of a mother as each name echoed throughout the darkened sobering space. Needless to say walking out of there I could hardly breathe and holding back the tears wasn't possible anymore. These emotions only set the tone for the next several hours as walked through the rest of the museum. As much as this trip was full of sobering, emotional moments this was, for me, the most emotional experience. Okay, moving on before I cry twice in one month....

It was Friday afternoon. Which means Shabbat is coming. After lunch in the incredibly busy market (everybody was getting ready for their Shabbat meals and workless next day) we checked into our new hotel. With the sun beginning to set we made our way to the Western Wall.

As I laid my hand against the warmth of the wall and I began to pray the peace, joy, and freedom I have in Christ and how thankful I am for it was all that my mind could focus on. That I have no barriers separating me from the holy of holies. My relationship with Him is not limited to a place or time. That I have the Holy Spirt living inside of me. It's beautiful and freeing to know that wherever I am He is with me.

After our time at the wall we headed to our Shabbat dinner with a Jewish family. Such a great experience and a must do if you're ever able. Friends, wine and celebration. We owned that Shabbat.

- DAY FOUR -

Day 4 began with hearing from an Israeli Arab journalist which was the perfect start to our day as we next made our way to Bethlehem to visit an Palestinian Christian pastor there. His story was encouraging and after sharing what his life and ministry look like there and the struggles and dangers - His challenge to us was to continue to make Jesus our first love.

We made a few more stops on our way out of the West Bank - lunch and a quick view of the shepherd's field. Then off to an afternoon at the Dead Sea. Okay I'm going to do another picture post just from that excursion because - IT WAS AMAZING. I loved it. Smearing the mud from the Dead Sea on myself? Floating along covered in said mud? Yes please. It's all of my childhood flooding right back to me. Needless to say with the 110 degree weather and all of the hard work of floating I slept like a baby that night.

OH...and on the way back we stopped at the incredible St. George's Monastery. BEAUTIFUL.

- DAY FIVE -

Our day 5 morning started off with two separate men sharing with our group both of which were fascinating and provided even more insight. First was Calev Myers who is a lawyer in Israel and founder of Jerusalem Institute of Justice. Second was Colonel Danny Tirza who is the architect behind the security fence between the West Bank and Israel. So you could say our morning was highly educational and eye opening.

The afternoon and evening we went to the Garden of Gethsemane and to the Mount of Olives. No big deal.

- DAY SIX -

On day 6 we went to one of the supposed sites of Jesus' death and resurrection. The Garden Tomb. Whether it was the actual site or not it put everything in perspective and to feel the walls of the tomb with my own fingers and to think about what Christ has done so that I can be fully alive. It was only natural that when we had all taken our turn inside the tomb that we went around the corner for a time of worship. A definite highlight of our trip worshiping together at the place of Jesus' died and rose again.

After this we went to the Jewish Quarter for lunch and then to the Southern Steps. Couldn't ask for a better crew to share so many powerful experiences with!

Our time in Jerusalem had come to an end and we got back on our bus for our last few days in Tel Aviv.

- DAYS SEVEN & EIGHT -

Tel Aviv was like our chill & playtime after a packed past few days - emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically - we stayed in the beautiful Carlton hotel on the Mediterranean where we rode seaways, swam in the sea, swam at the rooftop pool and just enjoyed time with each other. A perfect way to wrap up our time - processing all that we saw, heard and felt together. Plus...there was NO other way you'd get me on a segway soooooo....(it was actually pretty fun...)

Have a fab weekend friends!

Esther