Photography: Meet Me at Strawberry Street, My Dear 8/3/24

Last Friday, I got into Philadelphia at a little after 4:30pm. I got on to a Frankford-bound Market-Frankford L SEPTA and rode for two stops to 15th Street/City Hall and then walked the three blocks to my hotel, the Club Quarters Hotel, Rittenhouse Square. 

After checking into my room. I let friends and loved ones know I got into town and to my hotel. I then took care of some work. I had to check the weather, because there was a chance of thunderstorms. So, I brought a rain jacket, and a portable charger and went back to 15th Street/City Hall Station for a Frankford-bound Market-Frankford L to South 2nd Street. 

The last two times in town, I fucked up and didn’t get cheesesteaks. But this time, I was going to do everything in my power with an unexpected free night in town to get some cheesesteaks and bacon cheese fries at Sonny’s Famous Steaks.

After Sonny’s, I had called my cousin Lisa back. She had called me and at one point, I couldn’t quite hear her because I was on a SEPTA train — and I didn’t bring my headphones. (Honestly, I didn’t expect anyone to call!) I was going to head to a bar to watch some of the primetime Olympic coverage, when I came across Brownie’s Irish Pub, a bar that I had passed by a number of times and hadn’t stepped into before. They had Guinness — and just as important, a couple of TVs with the Olympics on. At that point, it was an old person’s dive. I was very happy. 

Plus, the forecast suggested thunderstorms between roughly 7:00pm-10:00pm. So, I’d be inside, drinking a few beers, watching the Olympics and I could figure out what the rest of the night held. I wound up chatting with a group, who were dressed up as the Blue Man Group — for a friend’s birthday. That’s something I’d never do. I don’t care how long I’ve known you. If you ask me to paint myself or wear a stupid costume, I ain’t doing it. 

A few minutes later, I chatted with a younger gentleman from Minneapolis, who was part of a crew of friends, who were in town on a scavenger hunt. He seemed super sweet. 

The crowd cleared out, but it was still raining. So, I decided to go to Khyber Pass Pub. I was certain the crowd would be more lively, and that the music would be dope. 

After more beers, I had to go to the bathroom and I came across a poster advertising their celebration of 20th anniversary of the infamous Dave Matthews Band Chicago River Incident. As soon as I saw that, I burst out laughing. I almost wish I could go!

I decided to walk back to my room and as I was walking I came across the intersection of Strawberry Street and Chestnut Street. So, shall we meet at Strawberry Street, my dear?