Brett and I enjoyed a short getaway to Philadelphia for YaYu’s graduation at the end of May. Everything went according to plan, with food the main theme of our visit. Any time our girls get together, there is always going to be food, lots and lots of food, and this time was no exception – we felt like we were always eating something while we were there.
I was a little nervous about flying again before we left, but our flight took off and arrived on time, and was very smooth. WenYu and Meiling met us at the airport and we headed back into South Philadelphia to pick up YaYu for our first dining experience.
Our first meal together was at a huge Korean hot pot restaurant. With Brett and I, K (Meiling’s husband), and the three girls there were six of us, and we were seated at a large table with each seat having a small element for heating our personal pots of cooking broth. The menu offered several flavor choices for the broth, and three pages of different items you could order to add to your hot pot. K and I ordered the ginger pork broth, Brett got a miso broth, YaYu an herb broth, and Meiling and WenYu went with a very spicy broth. The price for the meal was per person, and you could order as many items as you wanted from the menu so our table got A LOT so we could share. The only rule was we had to eat everything (or almost everything) we ordered as the restaurant could weigh any uneaten food and charge us for it. I’ll just say we went crazy and ordered plates of Wagyu beef, pork belly, beef belly, fresh crab, bok choy, enoki mushrooms, two types of fish balls, lobster balls, tofu, and lots more. There were plates all over our table but we did manage to finish almost everything – we were cooking in our hot pots for over an hour!
We left the restaurant full and happy and headed to an Aldi just a block away from YaYu’s home for a few items, and then went to our Airbnb. It was located a couple of blocks from YaYu’s place in an older row home, but the place was exceptionally clean and had everything we needed. Funny to us though was how sloped the floor was. From the front door to the bedroom was downhill, and back was uphill, enough where you could actually feel it when you walked. I set down my carry-on bag on the floor in the living room when we arrived and watched it calmly roll itself all the way into the corner of the bedroom! We had a great stay though – no complaints.
After a solid night’s sleep, we got ready for the reason for our trip – YaYu’s graduation! YaYu and her delightful girlfriend picked us up for breakfast at a nearby local restaurant (I of course had to have eggs Benedict), and then we were off to Villanova and the ceremony. Our big concern was the day was expected to be VERY HOT (like 98 degrees) and we would be sitting outside for the ceremony with no shade. It was positively scorching when we arrived, and we were all dreading having to stay outside, but when YaYu checked in we were informed the graduate degree ceremony would take place in the gymnasium because thunderstorms were expected. Hallelujah! The gym was cool and comfortable, we got great seats, and the ceremony was very nice.
When we arrived back at YaYu’s place afterwards, WenYu and K decided to walk to a nearby Wawa to pick up something for Meiling, and asked if I wanted to come along. I said sure, and off we went. “Nearby” turned out to be over 1.5 miles each way.
It became clear as we walked that a thunderstorm was going to arrive shortly, and we were within two blocks of the Wawa store when the heavens finally opened. WenYu had an umbrella, but we ducked into a CVS where I bought a cheap umbrella, sort of horse after the cart though as I was already soaked to the skin (as was K). We made it to Wawa, they got their stuff (food of course) and we walked back to YaYu’s where cocktails and blankets were waiting. I’m kind of amazed I didn’t fall as I was wearing flip flops which got slippery, but I did okay. I got somewhat dried off before we all headed downtown for YaYu’s graduation party – she had invited her closest family, friends, and faculty to a Thai restaurant for dinner in a private dining room. Along with good conversation Brett and I had yummy pad Thai and an interesting and tasty dessert. A good time was had by all, and by the time we finished the storm had moved on. We returned to our Airbnb by Uber and laughed that the driver could have taken us anywhere in the city and we would have been none the wiser. It was pitch dark, wet, and we had no idea where we were.
I woke up Thursday morning with my back in intense pain, and barely able to walk. Brett called the girls to let them know I wouldn’t be doing anything that day but the girls said no problem, they could rearrange their schedule. I rested my back and slept on and off all day, and YaYu and WenYu stopped by in the evening with big cheesesteaks for dinner! They were amazing, but we could only eat half (we wrapped up the others and brought them home).
The next morning I felt fine and we all headed out to Amish country – Lancaster, Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, and Paradise among other places – in two cars for sightseeing, shopping, and of course eating. Our first stop was a country store where the girls bought hand made souvenirs and we all enjoyed fresh-baked soft pretzels – they were so good! Brett and I bought our favorite find of the day there, a bottle of locally made lavender lemonade. That stuff was fantastic! Next we visited the Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, a collection of shops featuring Amish made goods as well as other foods and items. Brett and I bought small bottles of olive oil and honey we could bring back on the airplane as well as some locally made Wasabi cheddar, along with crackers, rocky road fudge, and a couple of special treats for Kaipo and Tilly. Lots of places were giving out samples and I’m pretty sure we would have brought home more treats if we’d been able. After leaving the village we headed to the little town of Bart and had a late lunch at an Amish diner. Brett and I felt full from all the samples, so he had just a ham and cheese sandwich, and I got a very satisfying cup of chicken pot pie soup. We did have enough room afterwards for a piece of homemade and very yummy cherry pie, the perfect ending to a perfect day of good food and gorgeous scenery. I wish I had gotten more pictures but I was too busy looking at the beautiful, well-kept farms. We passed lots of horse-drawn buggies on the roads, and it was interesting to see how many homes and farms have adopted the use of solar energy (solar is acceptable because it does not tie the Amish to the power grid, the earlier issue with using electricity). We could always tell which farms and homes were owned by Amish because of the traditional clothing and colors hanging out on all the clotheslines. Neither Brett nor I can believe we didn’t succumb and eat a whoopee pie that day, but we stayed strong.
For our last morning in Philadelphia, YaYu took us to a nearby SE Asian outdoor market for breakfast. However, it was raining, cold, and muddy and very few vendors had set up so we didn’t stay long and instead headed to YaYu’s favorite Asian bakery. Brett was able to get a hot cup of coffee there, and we also bought a huge sesame ball and a luscious pineapple cream bun to eat on the flight home. It was hard to say goodbye to the girls – we had had a great time and don’t know when we’ll see them next – but we had eaten our fill and we missed our puppies. Our return flight was again very smooth, and departed and arrived in Nashville on time. Tilly and Kaipo were happy to see us, and we’ve settled back in. The souvenirs didn’t last long.
No more travels for us now until we leave in September!
Looks like fun and a lot of great food! I used to live in the area near Villanova. Is YaYu going to stay in that area? There’s a lot to do there and it’s so close to Philadelphia. I went to KPot recently with a friend and we ordered way too much and were worried we would charged, but we were able to finish by being there a very long time and spacing it out. That’s interesting about the Amish and solar. I haven’t been out that way in a long time.
YaYu has a new job there beginning this month, I think, so yes she’s staying. She loves it there. Lucky you to live around Villanova – the area was absolutely beautiful.
KPot was an experience, that’s for sure. We also felt we had ordered w-a-y to much but we eventually got almost all of it eaten. It makes me want to try the hot pot place nearby.
I was surprised by the solar usage as well so read up to if what I saw was real. Most of the energy provided though is used in barns and for equipment – homes still don’t have electric appliances, AC, or televisions. We also saw several Amish (girls) using riding mowers – that surprised us too. Brett and I had wanted to visit Gettysburg but were glad for our day in Amish country.
Looks like a really nice visit and event for YaYu! You must be really proud of your kids.
We have Amish nearby and also Mennonites. I’ve been out with friends going to their farm stands and craft stores in the past (they make beautiful rugs, too). When I drive up north, I often see the signs for Saturday baked goods at the farms. We know them by the lack of wiring going to their homes.
P.S. The doggies are happy to have you back. (nice pajamas! haha)
We had a great time! Originally only Brett was going to go, but one of our daughters helped make both of us able to go.
Amish life has fascinated me for a long time. Thankfully we mostly see the good side, but there’s a dark side to it as well, at least for those of us on the outside. The lifestyle is impressive in so many ways, but it was interesting how they adapt as the world moves on. Their cooking is amazing: very basic really but so, so good. I have always loved their quilts, but the prices we saw were unbelievable.