Sunday 27th February 2005
In spite of being shattered, I awoke early. I had brought some PG Tips teabags, so I made myself a brew and sat in front of early morning telly, like a zombie. I soon realised that this was not going to achieve anything. My room at the Homestead Studio Suites, being designed for extended stay guests, was equipped with a kitchen. I needed to go and buy some foodstuffs, some toiletries, and some moisturising lotion to ensure that my babysoft skin remained so. I figured that I would have a drive around, get used to the car, figure out where I would go to my office-away-from-work and try to figure out the local area.
I hit the US 202 and drove south, not having a clue where I was going, but prepared to see just how quickly I could get lost. I didn't have to wait too long.
I hit the US 202 and drove south, not having a clue where I was going, but prepared to see just how quickly I could get lost. I didn't have to wait too long.
Donuts
The Philadelphia area is actually pretty close to a couple of other states. To the east, across the Delaware River is New Jersey, whilst south takes you to the tax-free shopping haven of Delaware, and so I found myself driving into Wilmington. It was here that I rapidly discovered that American traffic lights are different to UK traffic lights. Driving the gas-guzzler through a rather unsavoury part of town, at a four-way intersection (a crossroads to you Brits) I encountered a flashing red traffic signal. Did this mean stop? Would it change? Well, apparently not. I could sense the guy in the pick up behind me, revving his HEMI engine impatiently, reaching for his gun... This was not a good-looking area of town. I checked each way and floored the gas pedal, lurching violently forward with unexpected speed, waiting for blues and twos to begin chasing me down. I didn't want to get busted, shot, or anything else remotely resembling dead or jailed on my first day! Oh, how little I knew what excitement the day would hold...
The Krispy Kreme Fiasco
What I only found out much later was that, at a four-way, a flashing red light means that you can cross if the way is clear, and you go in the order you arrive at the intersection. Which is pretty much what you would do in the UK at an unmarked crossroads... it's just we don't need a flashing light to tell us that this is a junction where four roads meet. Don't get me started on the 'right turn on red' rule!
Anyhoo, I was hungry, as I hadn't had breakfast yet, and as luck would have it, what should appear in front of me but a Krispy Kreme emporium?! Oh, serendipitous happenstance. I needed coffee and a major sugar rush, and you can't get much more sugary goodness than a donut.
Anyhoo, I was hungry, as I hadn't had breakfast yet, and as luck would have it, what should appear in front of me but a Krispy Kreme emporium?! Oh, serendipitous happenstance. I needed coffee and a major sugar rush, and you can't get much more sugary goodness than a donut.
Mmmm... Donuts... Mmmmm...
In my experience, the Double-D's (Dunkin' Donuts) coffee is (marginally) the best that you can get, but KK's runs a very close second. I think the latter's donuts just take the biscuit, as it were, but, once again, it's a gosh-darned close-run thing, edged out by virtue of the Krispy's caramel-covered offering, which is one of the most fantastic things you can ever slip past your lips.
I didn't realise it at the time, as I munched my way through a couple, or three, of the freshly-cooked dozen I'd purchased, but this is the only Krispy Kreme outlet in the area. I never did find one anywhere in Pennsylvania! I could have eaten the entire box right there, they tasted so good, all warm and freshly baked - hell, you can even see them being made and eat them straight off the conveyor belt, Mmmmm! - but I resisted the temptation. I figured I'd save me some sugar 'til later, when I might need it. I popped the trunk and stashed my booty for later.
I didn't realise it at the time, as I munched my way through a couple, or three, of the freshly-cooked dozen I'd purchased, but this is the only Krispy Kreme outlet in the area. I never did find one anywhere in Pennsylvania! I could have eaten the entire box right there, they tasted so good, all warm and freshly baked - hell, you can even see them being made and eat them straight off the conveyor belt, Mmmmm! - but I resisted the temptation. I figured I'd save me some sugar 'til later, when I might need it. I popped the trunk and stashed my booty for later.
Coffee
The significance of this act would only become apparent later in the day. Placing my huge tub of coffee in the cup holder I gunned the engine and headed off back onto the 202 and made for King of Prussia, to see what all the fuss was about with this allegedly huge shopping mall they claimed to have there.
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