Directly across from city hall is a grand Masonic Temple. Even today, they project an atmosphere of mystery.
There is a old German Catholic Holy Trinity Church.
Nearby is a Jewish synagogue.
There is a First Reformed Church that publicly proclaims diversity. They have a nativity scene set up in the courtyard, with real goats and a donkey.
In China Town, a Chinese Society sits on top of a Vietnamese-Thai restaurant.
China Town also offers a Philadelphia to New York City bus service at the cost of a hamburger. An American friend says he takes theses buses regularly.
Inspite of her many faults, American does accommodate much diversity. The same cannot be said of many other countries.
3 comments:
Hi Stephen --
Yes, there's ethnic diversity in the US but there's also quite a bit of segregation and inequality too.
I lived in Philadelphia for about 10 years and I used to tell people the following: I regularly took a bus from my home in West Philadelphia to Olde City (where my favorite cinema and pub were located, etc.). When I got on the bus, I'd be the only non-black passenger on it. When I got off, I'd be the only non-white passenger. And almst needless to say, Olde City is a more well-off part of Philadelphia than West Philly...
Very true. I lived in the USA for 12 years and am well aware of the ethnic tension. Yet, the USA has accepted quite a large number of immigrants, much more than many other countries. And many people aspire to go there.
Hi again Stephen --
Yes, many people aspire to go to the US. The American dream is very seductive. The problem is that the American reality can be far from the dream, especially if you're not white.
(BTW, I also lived in Wisconsin for 4 years. I have some good memories of living in the US, and some less so. And to be honest, I have had no great yearning to return -- to visit or live there -- any time soon.)
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