The Divine Lorraine

It's been so long since I wrote that I don't even know where to begin. I am currently sitting in a hotel in Mt. Laurel, NJ, having just moved from the Center City Sheraton in Philadelphia, PA. A week ago, I was at home packing and chilling out in my hot tub. Now....well, I'm here and I'm tired, but it's ok. As Flapjack always squeals with delight, "ADVENTURE!!"

What an adventure this has been. Within a week, I have traveled over half way across the country to work at a hospital in their microbiology department because the workers walked out. I know it may seem like I don't care, but that's not it. I care about the patients and honestly, the pay is really good. If I weren't here, I'd be at home working on curriculum for the summer/fall semester. Sounds like loads of fun, doesn't it?

Well I got here, and things are going well, although I am perpetually tired because I just am. I barely remember what good sleep is like. My schedule is all outta wack, but the lab is great. It's funny how much I missed the lab although I would never admit that to anyone.

Now since I've been here, there are a few things that have stuck out to me as unique to Philadelphia. In some ways, I'm reminded of my trips to Worcester, MA to visit my bestfriend, but in others, no so much. The one thing I'm loving though is the architecture. I just cannot get over it! All the masonry work, the bricks and details on most of the building amaze and astonish me. I have done a little masonry work on my house and when I see the size of the buildings, I have to gasp in awe at them.

Driving to and from the hospital everyday, we pass an old hotel. The Divine Lorraine. She stands in her glory on Broad street, harbouring a large sign announcing who she is. To me, she is the lady of Broad street and I smile every time we drive past her. She is a beauty wrapped in a burgundy brick dress, wearing wrought iron jewelry on her windows and makeup in the form of masonry details. Even though she stands tall and proud, it's clear to me that she has seen many better days than the few days I have had to admire her.

Her makeup is smeared and her jewelry is tarnished. Her dress is somewhat tattered. Every time I look at her, I wish I could have seen her back in the day. I wish I could waltz through her doors into her foyer and check into one of her divine rooms. I would love to drink my morning coffee on one of her balconies overlooking the courtyard.


Yesterday, one of our shuttle drivers gave us a little tale about Divine Lorraine. He said that a rich man owned her and back in the sixties, you could get a fancy dinner for 75 cents. He said that the women had to wear a dress and men a suit and tie to get in, but that the food was fantastic. Then he said that something happened and the owner shut her doors sometime in the seventies. Now she has sat in waiting for over 30 years.

It makes me a little sad. I know though, that someday, someone will take notice of her and restore her to her former glory. Maybe I'll get to be one of the first people to stay there when it happens.

I love the Divine Lorriane