My flight to Philadelphia took around 2 hours. I arrived late at night and took the subway to the hostel. I wouldn’t usually travel once it was dark but I didn’t realise the time I had booked and somehow ended up trying to get to the hostel at night. The subway was dirty and the train lights shined a dull yellow gleam. It reminded me of scenes of Gotham city in the a Batman films. I managed to find my way to the hostel, it wasn’t easy, I was a little confused and nervous. I cautiously walked a few blocks in the dark and arrived at the hostel front door. The front door had a main code to enter however I was let in by a member of staff. At the front you had to take off your shoes and leave them there. You then had to walk through the common/ kitchen area to a stairway at the back which lead up to the dorm rooms. The hostel was very run down, the bed sheets didn’t feel clean. There was no locks on the dorm doors and I noticed all the lockers had been broken into. It was concerning. I decided to get some sleep and in the morning plan my day.
The next morning I headed out to a local Starbucks for breakfast. I planned my route and then explored Philadelphia by foot. I visited the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Eastern State Penitentiary Prison and the Benjamin Frank museum. I walked towards the city and explored the local market and headed towards the Eastern State Penitentiary Prison. Untold amounts of suffering had been endured at this prison. It has been said that it is one of the most haunted places in the world due to numerous reports of paranormal activity. It was a very spooky, grey place but I never experienced anything strange!
City Hall 
Doggos’ 
Market 
Liberty Bell 
Independence Hall
I decided to use the audio head phones and walked the route. The prison itself was designed in a star shape, each point of the star held different inmates. The notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone spent a year at this prison before he was transferred to Alcatraz. It was said that the prison guards were so scared for their life and families lives that they treated him like a king. His cell was fully kited out with a bed, wardrobe, chair, rugs and painting on the wall. He was even allowed music to keep him entertained.
The governor Pinchot also sentenced his dog, Pep, to life imprisonment. The dog had allegedly killed his wife’s cat. Pep roamed freely around and was the prison therapy dog.
I hadn’t planned on how or where I was going next on my travels. All I knew was that I wanted to go South to Washington D.C. I had looked up different ways to get there and I couldn’t find any way by bus or train. I considered hiring a car however this was too expensive for me to do alone or I would have to fly. Luckily in my hostel room I had meet three American boys. They were studying history at university and travelling from Philly to Washington D.C the next morning. I told them that was where I was heading too. They offered me a lift in their car as they had a spare seat. We ended up going to a Caribbean restaurant for lunch and in the evening a Yankee vs Philly basketball game. It was the first baseball game I had ever been too. The atmosphere was super intense. The game went on and the Philly’s won.
The next morning I checked out and went with the boys to Washington D.C. It was a vast city, it took at least 30 minutes to walk anywhere. We arrived around lunch time and headed to a downtown pizza joint where we ate some of the tastiest pizza. One of the boys had a friend who was in the US navy and he told us to meet him. The US navy was holding a performance in the city where they would sing and the orchestra would play. The singing was incredible and everyone sat in the warm breeze listening contently. Clapping, cheering and having fun.
Washington D.C. is full of museums and monuments, it was the boys last day before they headed to their next destination. We walked around the Washington monument and up to the Lincoln Memorial where Abraham Lincoln sat. The statue was grand, a contrast of white stone against the buildings cream brickwork. From here we ventured to the Vietnam and Korean war memorials. It began to rain. I was really impressed by the design of Vietnam memorial, when you walk along any sides a soldier is always watching you, eyes staring in all direction. They had their army rain macs, helmets and guns. The rain added to affect and I just imagined how awful it must of been.
Monument 
Lincoln Memorial 
Abraham Lincoln Statue 
United States Capitol
On our way back to the hostel we jumped into an Uber. Our Uber driving was kind and funny American, he asked us why we were in Washington D.C. and once we explained we were travelling to see the sights he decided to take us on a quick detour before heading back free of charge. He drove us to see the Pentagon and round passed the Arlington national cemetery. Fields on fields had thousands of small white tombstones. It was crazy to see how many there were and put the mass of deaths into perspective.
The museums were again so big, it was impossible to be able to see them all in one day. I managed to make the most of them whilst I was there for the two days. My top favourites were The National air and space museum, full of aircrafts and spaceships dating back. Different styles and builds. You felt so tiny standing next to them.
As well as the National history museum. Hall ways of stuffed animals, each room with sound effects to imitate the natural habitats.
My final day in Washington D.C. I had said goodbye to the boys and checked into another hostel. Most of the day I spent organising my things for a flight in the morning. I did venture out and took a walk to the White House and surrounding parks.
Sarah’s Voyage 