October 4, 2018
About a week after Don Manuel and I met back in June, I was talking about wanting to push the “f@&* it” button and buy tickets to Bruno Mars and Cardi B in Philly. I love Bruno, but tickets were a little expensive! Don Manuel says to me, “Cardi B is my spirit animal. I would love to see her!” So, I pushed that button and bought tickets. I may have wondered just a bit if we would still be seeing each other three months from then, but if you don’t risk a little heartache you never find your happiness!
A couple weeks before the concert, Cardi B announced that she would not be going on tour with Bruno, because having a baby was too hard. Don Manuel was hurt and betrayed…between you and me, he still hasn’t forgiven her! I managed to convince him to still go to the concert with me when we found out that Boys II Men would be performing instead…Motownphilly all the way!
Let’s talk about this concert! The Wells Fargo Center was a great venue! Our seats were in what we liked to call a “bougie box.” It had a private bar and bathrooms and our seats were fantastic!
Wow! Boys II Men were absolutely amazeballs! They still sound just like they sounded in the 90’s when I was smooching in the backseat of a car with inappropriate boys
Then BRUNO!!!! I am telling you right now, no one puts on a show like Bruno Mars! He is so talented…and funny! Now that I’ve seen the Finesse dance in real life, I’m good to go! I danced and sang alllllll night. Pretty sure Don Manuel thinks I’m a freak now…he for sure knows I can neither dance nor sing…but I’m enthusiastic!
It was a glorious night!
Since we had taken the next day off from work, we spontaneously decided to do some sightseeing rather than just waking up and hopping in the car and driving home.
First up…the Liberty Bell! It was very cool, and the volunteer who was “watching” the bell gave amazing little speeches about its history.
Since we were looking at the building where they signed the Declaration of Independence, and we had just seen the real one in Washington D.C. a couple of months ago, we decided to go to Independence Hall. Usually, you need to pay for tickets in advance, but the internet let us know if there were any tickets available on the same day you’re there…they’re free!
Next, we went over to see the “Love Statue” at Love Park <3
Since it’s Philly, we had to go see the Rocky statue and run the Rocky steps at the Art Museum. I repeatedly told Don Manuel that I was not running those steps…he could run, and I would meet him at the top. He decided to do the run on Facebook Live, so I decided I needed to play the Rocky theme song for him. As the music played on my phone and he took off up the steps, I realized I really needed to run too or he wouldn’t have any music at the top. So….off I went playing the Rocky theme…and surprised both Don Manuel and myself by hauling my fanny all the way up those stairs. Upon reaching the top and celebrating, we were immediately hustled by a very ambitious homeless guy who charged us to take our picture with our own phones!
Since we had worked up an appetite, off we went to Geno’s and Pat’s philly cheesesteak joints. We got one traditional “onions and whiz” cheesesteak from Geno’s and one from Pat’s to compare them. Holy Yummmmm!!!!
Both cheesesteaks were delicious, however…both Don Manuel and I chose Geno’s as the best!
After we were nice and full, we headed back to our hotel to grab the car and go home. We passed this shop and their sign, which gave me giggles. I was a little disappointed we wouldn’t be in Philly to get educated
So, that’s our overnight trip to Bruno and Philly! Don Manuel and I like to say we “live our best life!” And, it doesn’t always have to cost a lot! Everything we did sightseeing was free except for the cost of our sandwiches! It was fabulous…and I have a list of things I want to do in Philly the next time we go!