"Sweets of Philadelphia"

by Ben Wycheby Ben WycheSummer Pennsylvanian Staff Writer "So long old girl," they say, "too bad you won't be able to join us in New York, Tokyo, London and all those other darling places you won't be in this summer." "Oh", they add, "hope you enjoy your summer in, uh, Philadelphia." Yes, it's true. You're stuck in Philly this summer. Lucky you. Now what do you do? Exhausted after a brutal year of fighting over everything from Haiti to O.J. Simpson, most Penn students are packing their bags and "getting the hell out of this god-foresaken place". They'll go anywhere to have some fun. Just no more Philly. However, a chosen few will bravely remain at Penn for the summer taking classes or working. If you're one of these few, you should make the most of your summer in Philly Don't look at it as an exile from the "more exciting" places in the world, like New York. Philly can be the most fun city in the world. You would be wise to take some time to have fun, especially after a stressful school year. This column gives a taste of the distinct fun you can have only in Philly this summer if you just use your imagination. It will also help you to take a break from those serious, stressful editorials that the DP normally publishes during the school year. Do you think that Philadelphia in the summertime sucks? As someone who has spent the last three summers in this town, I beg to differ. If you think this summer is going to suck -- you might as well find something good to suck on. And as somewhat of a sweet tooth myself, I suggest that if you find yourself stuck on the Streets of Philadelphia, you go out and suck on the Sweets of Philadelphia. Yes, I know what those readers heading to exotic locale like New York are thinking now. "Get real! The Sweets of Philadelphia? What kind of corny idea is that?! Philly's a quaint place, but compared to New York, the town's about as exciting my great-grandmother's bridge club. And they're all dead." So my friends heading to New York, I say -- Suck on this for a while... Even though Philly in the summertime might seem as desolate as the song "Streets of Philadelphia", there are a host of destiny-makin' days with your name on them ahead. Think about it. Love of your life researching in Antarctica for the summer? Suffering from a broken heart? Don't waste your money on a one-way trip to the Great White South, just head on down to South Street! There are plenty of attractive Antarcticans, and Antarctican-Americans taking classes here for the summer. (Check the SAC budget for a listing of student groups, if you don't believe me.) Why don't you see if one of them, particularly a sweet one, has ever been to J.C. Dobbs -- that nice little place on South Street. Tell them that the beer is cheap and that this is their big chance to mosh to Philly punk-metal. Ask them if they have anything like J.C. Dobbs in Antarctica. I didn't think so. Who knows? This little bit of a cultural exchange might lead to a sweet Philly summer romance. If you're lucky, the ex-love of your life might get a big grant and stay in Antarctica for just a bit longer. And if you get tired of the raucous Philly bar scene? Looking for some quality cultural events in Philadelphia? If you couldn't get a ticket to the Barnes exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, take a moment to sweetly contemplate the dazzling attractions of South Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Flyers and the Phillies, of course. These Philadelphia cultural icons (a.k.a sports teams) are currently conquering the universe, if not the art world. Philly is pounding its New York rivals into media oblivion. Philly is moving on to the next round of the playoffs - New York is not. As one fan of original Philly culture noted, "Them boys is whoopin' New York's butt!" It's too bad that those who fled to New York for some culture are going to have to come all the way back to Philly this summer to see their favorite sports. If your friends in New York call for a ride, tell 'em to call SEPTA. But lucky you don't have to go anywhere. You're in Philly for the summer -- remember? Enjoy it. Perhaps you will learn a few things about Philadelphia culture to take back to your Art History teacher this fall. Now that I have given you a tiny taste of the sweet things that Philly has to offer this summer, I hope you decide to make the most of your summer in Philly. If you feel trapped in Philly for the summer, it just means that you haven't looked around enough for fun in this town. Summer can't last too long, so don't waste it worrying about where you aren't this summer. Be sweet to yourself .