a celebration, of sorts

On Friday, Dexter had his final class of his junior year.  This would feel like a bigger deal if it meant he started summer break then, but alas, it is pretty much business as usual for the month of July - minus exams, and a lighter class schedule.  Still, it feels like a huge accomplishment to think that ONE YEAR IS BEHIND US.

Our initial plans were changed last minute, so we were left scrambling to figure something else out.  We'd recently heard about a Kenyan restaurant down in Delaware and thought to give it a try.  We wanted to do more than that and decided to explore Delaware a bit.  But we weren't finding too much near the restaurant of interest, and were rapidly losing interest and energy to find something when Dexter said, "we could go to Philly." And that was the sum total of our weekend celebration plan.

We're wild and crazy, footloose and fancy free around here I tell you.

Except, not.

Anyway, with a general idea of seeing what we could see in a few hours in Philly and then heading off for a late lunch/early dinner of some nyama choma, we set out Saturday morning.  Along the way, we got in touch with Dexter's brother's wife's sister (got that?) who lives about 30 minutes south of us, and she agreed to met us for the restaurant later.

It was a perfect day - blue skies, sunshine, not too hot or humid.  Felt like the world was celebrating with us.

 and we're off!

and we're sporting a new Rutgers "R" as UMDNJ has merged with (been taken over?) Rutgers

our handsome guy, looking so grown up

We had about 3 hours in Philly, which was enough time to just see a few things.  We started in Franklin Square, one of 5 squares designed (I think?) by William Penn.  Kyalo had his first carousel ride. He loved it.

And then we were off site seeing.  I'd really wanted to see the Liberty Bell, but this being the week leading up to the 4th of July, knew things would be crazy.  The line to see it it was several blocks long, and we were on a time crunch so said, "next time!"  So we walked around and read plaques and learned some history (that I've forgotten again, I'm sure) and enjoyed being away.

We got inside Independence Center, and Kyalo promptly took our maps and sat down with them.

"this way"

After running around a bit more, and grabbing a bite to eat, we headed off to Delaware to Simba Grill.

Kenyan food or Bust!

It was very nearly a bust.

I mean, who wouldn't want to eat here?

This picture is {slightly} misleading as the run down, bordered up doors were not actually for the restaurant. The restaurant was in an old strip mall of sorts, and most of the stores seemed like they had long ago vacated the premises.  We were very early, and had some time to kill before Juliet arrived so thought to find the nearest Starbucks to put some gift cards to good use.

Closest Starbucks?  45 minutes away.

We just laughed and laughed and laughed, and fortunately found a Dunkin Donuts.  

Juliet and her uncle George (visiting from Kenya, his first time out of Kenya!) met us, and we had a very nice time with some decent (enough) food.

 goat, ugali, sukuma (collard greens) kachumbari (salsa, sorta) and french fries

These aren't the greatest photos, but we thought it too hilarious to not get some pictures underneath the sign....

do we look relieved to have survived this first year?

one.more.to.go

All in all, it was a wonderful day.  I DO hope we'll get back to Philly some time soon (I have a cousin who lives there) and it was nice to think that perhaps now that exams are done we can do some more exploring.