In my late 20s, I moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA for employment reasons. I knew little about the city when I deposited myself there, but almost immediately developed a fondness for my new home. I liked the very old buildings that heavily populated, and still populate, many neighborhoods. And I liked the city’s parks, museums, music venues, record stores, and movie theaters. Hell, there wasn’t much about Philadelphia I didn’t like. And now, approximately 50 years later, my admiration for The City Of Brotherly Love is on an even higher plane than it was during my newbie days. That’s because, to cite a few factors, its restaurant scene has become world-class, its cultural offerings have expanded, and various parts of town have changed for the better.
I lived in Philadelphia for the first 30 of those 50 years. But then, for reasons we maybe didn’t think through properly, my wife Sandy and I made the “leap” to the burbs. The burbs are okay, but I sure as shit ain’t in love with them. It’s a good thing that Philadelphia isn’t far away, for I can’t resist its call. I pay the city a visit two to five times each month, chowing down and drinking in taverns and restaurants, taking long walks, attending concerts, going to museums, etc., etc. There’s absolutely no doubt I’ll be a Philly aficionado till the day I no longer qualify for inclusion in the Among The Living category.
All of the above is a longwinded lead-up to a recounting of one of my recent adventures in the city I know better than any other. That activity took place two Fridays ago, a day that boasted clear skies and reasonable temperatures. I arrived in downtown Philadelphia in late morning, via the train I’d boarded in my little town. I was in the city to search for and photograph excellently decorated trucks, vans, buses, and other objects mounted on wheels. (“Huh? You were there to do what? Neil, you truly are a f*cking oddball,” I just heard one of this publication’s readers mutter. Oh yeah? Well, I’ll let that possibly inaccurate remark slide.) And so, after emerging from the train station I spent two and a half hours pounding the pavement in central and near-to-central sections of the city. And I met with good success, the result of which is the story you’re now reading. Namely, the sixteenth installment of Art On Wheels, a series I began eight years ago.
On the day in question, I snapped portraits of 18 wheeled objects, which very well might be my personal high. Following post-trek examinations of the photographs, I’ve selected six specimens that ring my bell loudly. I’d have included a certain Philadelphia tour bus and a certain food-supply truck among the six were it not for the fact that, as I later discovered, their images appear in previous editions of Art On Wheels. My half dozen choices are displayed on this page.
Which of them do you like best? My two favorites are the halal food cart and the Windstar bus. The food cart is an eye-popper, no? So many colors. Such vibrancy. I spotted it at the corner of 9th and Chestnut Streets, three blocks west of Philadelphia’s famed and historic Independence Hall. If I’d had any sense, I would have placed an order at the cart. I’m sure its offerings are delicious.
As I snapped its picture, the Windstar bus (Windstar is a charter bus company) was turning from Chestnut Street, where a few seconds earlier it had glided past Independence Hall, onto Fifth Street. I liked its artwork but wasn’t knocked out by it. However, when examining the Windstar photo on subsequent days, I found myself increasingly admiring the simplicity of the vehicle’s painted design and the way the undulating red and blue lines seem to imply that fun-filled, free-flowing times lie ahead. Windstar, I now am under your spell. I award you my top vote.
Well, folks, that’s a wrap. Thanks for reading this opus. Let me remind you to mind your Ps and Qs. And please don’t let the bed bugs bite. Till next time!
Yeah, Another Blogger 
I vote for the food cart–it makes me hungry, lol.
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The food cart is very far ahead in the voting. It has an insurmountable lead!
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Te Red one. Red is my favourite colour. Cheers, Muriel
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Hi, Muriel. The red food cart has gotten way more votes than the others. It’s the winner!
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But the first one of, I think, a bottle of booze, is subtly attractive too, almost mysterious. I like that one. Or could be my subconscious wanting to get blasted, lol
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Cheers! 🍷🍷
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Ambulnz? Is that how you pronounce it when you’re severely inebriated and need one?🤣🤣
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Precisely!
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I love the way you make us travelling the beauty of place through their transport vehicles, a unique prospective indeed. Also I have now add Phillie to the lust of American cities yo visit.
🤓
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Hi. It’s a real good city in many ways. I think you would have a good time in Philadelphia.
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Not normally being a truck or bus watcher, I found it interesting to decide which I liked the most of your photos (all good, btw). I’ll go with Windstar also for its freshness and simplicity. In Boston, the second city I love and have walked with some regularity, I’d go with the Duck Bus; the tour is on land and on sea (well, the Charles River, actually). In San Francisco, of course it’s the cable car. My guy and I have considered now and then moving from ‘burbs to city (like you, we’re not that far away) but I have grown to love the trees, birds, and serenity in our neighborhood and those nearby. But glad to be able to visit my favorite cities from time to time, though.
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Hi. You’ve reminded me that the Duck bus company used to be in Philly. I’m not sure if I’m correct about this, but I think there was an accident, with at least one fatality, involving a Duck bus in Philly.
Thanks for expanding the conversation. Take care.
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Oh they’re all pretty good. But the Transtar Moving Systems catches the eye. At least mine. Its backgroud stirs something in me. I don’t know what. 🙂
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Hi, and thanks for adding your thoughts. That truck was in a really narrow street. I don’t know how truck drivers can maneuver their huge vehicles in and out of streets like that.
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That’s their core competency. 🙂 And yes the size of the truck does have an effect on the overall feel.
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Halal food cart gets my vote too! Even before I could read its sign–had to enlarge the photo on my laptop–I thought “That’s a winner!” Glad you got to spend some “sunny day” time in the City of Brotherly Love!
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A whole lot of colors decorate that food cart. Its good looks undoubtedly increase the amount of business it otherwise would get.
Hi Amy. Thanks for doing your civic duty by voting!
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The tequila ad, even though I don’t like tequila, Neil.
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Hey there, Pam. I don’t like tequila either. Ditto for all other hard liquors. I’m a beer person.
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😋
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The jolly red food cart is delightful, but I’ll go with Ocho: “Made by Hand and Heart.”
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Ocho has gotten quite a few first-place votes. When I put this story together, I wasn’t expecting that. Shows what I know!
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Definitely the colourful Halal van! Looks like it serves everything, regardless of what the food tastes like. 😉
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If I ever cross paths with that food cart again, I’m definitely going to order some food.
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Love all the art on wheels, but the Food Bacha one is definitely the most colorful thing I’ve seen on wheels. 🙂
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That food cart has gotten the most first-place votes. The tequila truck is number two, I’m pretty sure. Thanks for stopping by. Take care.
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I’m not a city girl, but I do like living within driving distance of Philly’s many attractions. Love me a good food truck, but your pitch for Windstar won me over!!
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The power of persuasion!
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The colorful food cart! Personally I like people watching so I guess if I did a photo series it would be about 2-legged things I see instead of art on wheels. Have a nice day/night, Neil!
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Hi. There is a lot to be said for people-watching. It’s a fascinating activity.
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Another great set of photos but it’s the Windstar bus for me this time.
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It’s my top pick too.
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Neil, I rarely get into Philly these days, but then again since I’m back here I can let you do it for me and live vicariously through your visits. There is a LOT to love about the city, although I have rarely been able to convince outsiders of that fact. I guess our burbs are a necessary evil to be aligned to Philly itself. The red food truck sounds like it has ruled the day here, and I agree wholeheartedly. I don’t drink alcohol much anymore, but when I do its beer all the way as well. The hard stuff only had its place in my life from ages 20-30. That’s a “young man’s game” in my opinion…😁
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Right, Philadelphia has a lot of vibrant and interesting areas. I love going on long walks through the city. I take some of those walks with a friend of mine. Like me, he’s very into urban exploration.
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Those were my favorites too. I’d definite stop for a falafel over rice!
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I’d love some falafel over rice right now!
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The food truck is fabulous, but I am also fascinated by the Ambulnz van. I’m on their website now, looking at their sales pitch/business model. Have never heard of this company, and I wonder if someone here in Canada will create something similar.
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Hi. I just took a look at their site. Ambulnz is part of a big healthcare system. I had no idea. Thanks for stopping by. Have a good day!
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botoltoto koyem-shd.net/2024/11/06/
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botoltoto
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All!
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👍
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