For as long as Hoyu and I have known each other, one of our most favorite rituals is going on road trips during the fall season. Usually, Hoyu would pick a destination, I’d agree to it, and he will drive us there. This year, I decided to plan a trip that would not require him to do any driving, just hop on a bus, take a long nap and then to joyfully wake up, albeit bewildered and droopy-eyed, at our destination. At first, Hoyu got whiny about taking a bus, he said the very thought of having such an experience will wreak havoc on his nose (the man is highly sensitive to pungent smells) I attempted to convince him that I’ll bring an air freshener to place under his seat. He looked at me like I was crazy…as usual. At any rate, he finally consented after a bout of slight nagging and I gleefully wrote up an itinerary, called up our friends in Philly and purchased bus tickets ahead of time to avoid those pesky lines. Seeing our friends Raluca and Anning was of course, great because it our last dinner together was at Morimoto— Fall 2007. Raluca, mom-to-be yet perpetually cherubic, is currently preggers with twins. Anning took us sightseeing all over Philly and the outskirts as well. Most memorably, he introduced us to the best and the hottest Vietnamese noodle soup in town. So friggin’ (hella!) spicy to the point of needing to drink like over six glasses of water with the meal. Sorry, we didn’t take any photos, overcome by tears and gulping, Hoyu and I were in no condition to operate a camera at that moment. Even though I complained, I think the noodle experience was well worth it because it was certainly very different from the Vietnamese pho that we always eat in NYC. Thankfully, we had three very sunny days with mild temperatures in the high 60′s to enjoy in Philly that weekend. The following selection of pictures is just Day One of our trip. Enjoy the pics!

Updates: Part 2 of Three Days of Sightseeing in Philly.

Shortly after checking into the Sheraton, I took a quick survey of the room and promptly dusted all the surfaces down with a hand towel. Been living out of hotel rooms all summer long, I really cannot tolerate a room without my cleanliness seal of approval. Yes, I am a germ snob as Hoyu likes to call me. As you can see in the photo below, I was not too amused but that feeling soon came to pass when…

…A call from Raluca comes through and I stopped cleaning long enough to find out what our plans will be. As you can see, the window sill is super clean now.
"Ummm, can you hear me now, Raluuuuccca??"

We always take a few pictures in our hotel room. It’s our tradition. Here’s a good one…

Isn’t Raluca the cutest pregnant lady ever? Look at her little toes sticking out…

And this is Anning, the father-to-be. He’s really not that serious looking in person but rather good-humored and laughing all the time…

Thor, a distinguished pooch with a wise look on his doggishly handsome face. Woof!

Hoyu keeps making fun of my hair…Incredible Hulk aka. Darth Vader Helmet, blah, blah…He’s ridiculous! Umphf.

Amid ceramic, glass and artfully cemented junk in the Philadelphia Magic Gardens on South Street. Artist Isaiah Zagar began this monumental project in the 1960′s and never stopped tiling and cementing until he completed the mosaic garden. Really impressive work— Zagar is highly dedicated to beautifying the Philadelphia community.

Funky Phallic Sculptures at the Magic Gardens, Zagar is also gifted sculptor.

Peekaboo…I see you!

This whimsical creation is located in the basement level of the museum.

Visiting the Magic Gardens is certainly a field day for all photographers and artists. Like a tunneling mole, Hoyu disappeared into the depths of the garden, emerging a few times only to disappear again among the rubble with his camera to his face the whole time; shoot anything and everything from colorful bottles to embellished tile to weather-battered, clay figurines.

Like Superman, I got trapped inside the mirror for a while too.

Chardonnay anyone?

Here are some other wooden (or in my case, stoned-looking) figures that Hoyu shot.

Clay dolls in love.

The Crucifixion of Christ.

I think this one looks like Steven Seagal.

On the way out, Hoyu snapped this quick pic because he didn’t want to pay for the postcard version of this tile. Jeez, I can make a ton of jokes about that but I won’t right now.

Hoyu (looking strangely tanned, by the way) is seeming perplexed by what he’s looking at.

This could be the garbage truck that delivers Zagar’s art medium! It was literally part right next to the museum. Probably not, just thought I’d instigate a little.

We are both looking in the camera…super scary gaze from creepy butler mannequin…

This ends Day One in Philly…stay tuned for more photos whenever Hoyu gets a chance to put more up…One more thing, I DO NOT have Incredible Hulk hair…least not in this picture anyway. Umphf.