PhillySpeak.com

Our good friend Jim was coming into Philadelphia with his friend Amanda for just a few days. He had to do some work, visit with family, and we his friends.

Word went out to his friends far and wide but with not much notice we ended up with eight. As usual, quality beats quantity. But that is just a false hard way to say we were missing those who were unable to make it.

Barbara and I met up with Jim and Amanda at Parc for a drink and a snack at an outdoor table. Amanda, from London, was happy to be in a metropolitan environment. Most of her time in the states has been working in Kansas City.

She met Jim in a food store aisle inquiring to him about the types of cream for her coffee. Those of you that shop Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, take note- singles night can be at anytime.

Kansas City is a wonderful city filled with walkable streets, pleasant citizens, a world class museum, good restaurants, but, and there is always a but, it seems the East and West coast cities have a special charm inner country cities do not have.

There is an edge, a diversity, a gothamesque feel to those older cities by large bodies of water. But perhaps it is not so much the water or the age as much as it is the connection to Europe.

So many Americans, it seems to me, have thrown the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to our European ancestors. The East coast especially has retained some of the teaming diversity of all those that have sought freedom in a new land.

We have not yet become as homogenized as the newer parts of our country. New Orleans, pre-Katrina, was a great example of what I am trying to express.

I believe an organism has a better chance to survive if it is complex and diverse as opposed to being made up of just one thing. The more diversity the better chance of survival.

Sitting at a table outside of Parc, near the corner of Locust and 18th Streets, listening to the many languages passing through our range of hearing, seeing the array of interesting dress, ages, brings one in touch with all of humanity.

How Lucky Are We

End of Part One. Please see Part Two