Carole’s Country Store Blog

After touring the first bank, we headed over to Independence Hall.

We got in line for the security check. Wow, no smiles there. Lined up for the tour. A guide came over and told us we needed a ticket! Oh, no! We walked over and got them, but we had a reservation for lunch, so decided to do that first. We ate at The City Tavern Restaurant, a lovely upscale restaurant that is well known in the area.

The waitress came to our table. Would not crack a smile. What’s up with that, we’re really friendly gals!! We ordered and she brought us our meals, and that was the last we saw of her. Never came back to fill our coffee cups, or to ask if we needed anything. Nothing. Walked past our table several times, but never stopped. What’s up with that! Poor service does not deserve a good tip, and believe me she did not get a good one. We left and headed back to Independence Hall. We were a couple of minutes late and they already went inside. We had to wait another 25 minutes. That was too long so I said I would peak inside. They just got started and I slipped inside. When I realized it was okay, I put my hand out the door and motioned for my friends to come along. Once inside, again we were taken back in time. Imagine, I was standing where our forefathers stood before signing the Declaration of Independence! No matter how many times I visit Philadelphia, I am always in awe of what I am seeing.

Right next store is Congressional Hall. We get in line NOT realizing we are standing on the handicapped ramp. We are the first in line, and now everyone has lined up behind us. As we wait for the tour to begin, the guide reprimands us for being in the wrong spot. Geez, we’re sorry, we goofed. Where’s the sign? We apologize and minutes later we were told to go inside, turn right and take a seat. Besides us, there was a group of children and their parents and teachers. They were taking a long time getting seated. We decided to break away from the group and take our seats in the last row. As we sat waiting, my friend offered me a piece of gum. Now the guide began. We were about 5 minutes into it, when he stops talking, looked at us and said, “are you chewing gum?” We were stunned. He couldn’t be talking to us, could he? No, must be a child. Wrong! Everyone turns around to see who he is talking to. I felt like I was back in school again. Carole said she felt like she should swallow hers. We didn’t know that we couldn’t chew gum. I can understand if we were children, why he would be concerned, but come on, did he think we were going to stick it under the chair. We were offended and embarrassed, so we got up and walked out. We complained to the other guide standing outside the door. He agreed that he should not have done that and offered to let us come in when he started his tour. We thanked him but left. By now I realize I left my glasses at the restaurant. Oh, no, I had to face the cranky waitress! Tomorrow we’ll go to Carpenter’s Hall. See you then.

HAPPY DAY
Carole