Pope's Visit: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Philadelphia: restaurant, storage)

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Becca8377

Weird, my train to CC yesterday morning was packed with people - ran out of seats, many had to stand. But today, the train was much more empty and Suburban was as well. I was thinking if anything, it would be more packed today. I guess people must have already started leaving town and whatnot. I'm working from home both tomorrow and Monday.

Those "ghost town" reports must be pretty localized because today I walked from the PA CC(loaded with WMoF people) through RTM(busy), over to the Gayborhood, Washington Sq and back over to Rittenhouse Sq. Looked pretty normal regarding the bulk of CC on a week day.

[Janszoon]

I just found out my local Wine & Spirits store, which is normally closed on Sundays, is going to be open on Sunday this weekend. I found that kind of amusing.

[kidphilly]

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I just found out my local Wine & Spirits store, which is normally closed on Sundays, is going to be open on Sunday this weekend. I found that kind of amusing.

people are going to need their holy water

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Those "ghost town" reports must be pretty localized because today I walked from the PA CC(loaded with WMoF people) through RTM(busy), over to the Gayborhood, Washington Sq and back over to Rittenhouse Sq. Looked pretty normal regarding the bulk of CC on a week day.

I noticed significantly less cars on the streets. Also extremely short line when I went to pick up lunch. In the Market East/Washington Square area. But nothing that dramatic, but it seemed quiet out for such a pleasant day.

Regional rail was really empty - being that the schools and city were shut down. Nice to having some leg room, as mine is usually filled to capacity and standing room only on the way home.

Friday and monday will be among the interesting days railroad-wise, as regional rail is forced to run on a weekend schedule to accommodate the extra hours crews will be working saturday and sunday on the undersold, stationless express trains. I know a lot of offices are already closed, or workers have alternate plans, but presumably some are still open, and workers are more likely to take SEPTA than drive in due to vehicle restrictions later in the day. Hopefully they are prepared to operate more than the typical 2 car weekend toy-trains if they have to anyway.

[Becca8377]

Originally Posted by FamousBlueRaincoat

I noticed significantly less cars on the streets. Also extremely short line when I went to pick up lunch. In the Market East/Washington Square area. But nothing that dramatic, but it seemed quiet out for such a pleasant day.

Regional rail was really empty - being that the schools and city were shut down. Nice to having some leg room, as mine is usually filled to capacity and standing room only on the way home.

Friday and monday will be among the interesting days railroad-wise, as regional rail is forced to run on a weekend schedule to accommodate the extra hours crews will be working saturday and sunday on the undersold, stationless express trains. I know a lot of offices are already closed, or workers have alternate plans, but presumably some are still open, and workers are more likely to take SEPTA than drive in due to vehicle restrictions later in the day. Hopefully they are prepared to operate more than the typical 2 car weekend toy-trains if they have to anyway.

Yeah it was the same for me - I walked around just west of City Hall and over to Love Park, and there were barely any people or cars around. Looked like the weekday before a long weekend when everyone goes out of town.

My office (located within the secure areas) is open but most people made alternate arrangements. I think the only people going to the office are the ones that live in CC already and can walk there. The rest of us aren't taking the chance (I'm working from home).

[asiandudeyo]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Those "ghost town" reports must be pretty localized because today I walked from the PA CC(loaded with WMoF people) through RTM(busy), over to the Gayborhood, Washington Sq and back over to Rittenhouse Sq. Looked pretty normal regarding the bulk of CC on a week day.

I was walking around at night yesterday and Wednesday night. It was pleasant.
There were actually more people walking around Market West and JFK Blvd at night. And they were the pleasant ones. Very polite crowds.
I like how some of the attendees of the conferences wear their native country's national costumes. I particularly love the African countries ones. They are so colorful and vibrant!
Also, there were noticbly less cars.
Dilworth Park was quieter around 8 - 9 PM ish.

I felt that the city is cleaner in general.
And btw, the trashes on the Suburban Station corridors are gone!
That pesky little trash bin in the middle of nowhere, that is always full, is also gone.
If only it can be like that for the rest of the year.

One thing though, those light towers on North Broad Street were not working? Those new lights.
I thought they planned to make it happen before Pope comes.

And finally I passed by Wawa from across the street, which was still packed at 9 pm! Its presence actually "cleans up" the area. But again I am a sucker for things that are new and shiny.

[asiandudeyo]

I am at work now.
It is so funny there is a difference in ambiance.
In the city, everybody knows something big is coming.
Alot of us, as most of you feel, are either excited or annoyed.

Once I arrived in the office this morning, it feels like just any regular days. It feels like nobody cares. Ha ha..

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by asiandudeyo

I was walking around at night yesterday and Wednesday night. It was pleasant.
There were actually more people walking around Market West and JFK Blvd at night. And they were the pleasant ones. Very polite crowds.
I like how some of the attendees of the conferences wear their native country's national costumes. I particularly love the African countries ones. They are so colorful and vibrant!
Also, there were noticbly less cars.
Dilworth Park was quieter around 8 - 9 PM ish.

I felt that the city is cleaner in general.
And btw, the trashes on the Suburban Station corridors are gone!
That pesky little trash bin in the middle of nowhere, that is always full, is also gone.
If only it can be like that for the rest of the year.

One thing though, those light towers on North Broad Street were not working? Those new lights.
I thought they planned to make it happen before Pope comes.

And finally I passed by Wawa from across the street, which was still packed at 9 pm! Its presence actually "cleans up" the area. But again I am a sucker for things that are new and shiny.

Considering all the work involved, most of which was behind closed doors, I think those lights not working is pretty insignificant.

The "fun" for me begins early tomorrow because a jumbotron has been installed pretty much in front of my building. Well, we knew it was coming. And, yeah, we fenced in our building. I'm on our condo board and believe me there's been another layer of hassles related to this that have been...... ( a bunch of swear words!)

Weren't you going to go to Miami?

[asiandudeyo]

Originally Posted by kyb01

Considering all the work involved, most of which was behind closed doors, I think those lights not working is pretty insignificant.

The "fun" for me begins early tomorrow because a jumbotron has been installed pretty much in front of my building. Well, we knew it was coming. And, yeah, we fenced in our building. I'm on our condo board and believe me there's been another layer of hassles related to this that have been...... ( a bunch of swear words!)

Weren't you going to go to Miami?

A friend of mine just said that those light masts actually are on. They were just not that bright.

Yes, I was supposed to be in Miami. Something comes up at work.
Now I am with all of you!
I will be hunkering down in my place tomorrow, while teleconferencing with the vendors in China.
My building is not gated.
But at Rittenhouse Square, there are bunch of port a potty. Then I realized that Barnes and Nobles (or at least the bathrooms), as well as establishments in vicinity (or their bathrooms) will probably close.

And for a foot note, the bracket for that new City Hall gate has been painted.
I cannot stop admiring it. In fact I am so proud of it. It looks complete and magnificent now.
If only they planned to finish the other threes before the Pope comes.

[Redddog]

After 3 calls over the week assuring that the DMV would, without question, be open, I can confir, along with the other 20 people waiting pissed that were lied to, the DMV is closed today.