Mosaic of Life- Philadelphia Magic Gardens

Philadelphia Magic Gardens lower level

Imagine an empty alleyway transformed by garbage and knickknacks. Glass bottles protruding out of the walls, mirrors smashed into a million pieces, ceramic tiles strategically placed, and painted quotes all over. At the Philadelphia Magic Gardens there is so much to see and make sense of. It is only natural to question the origins of this mosaic garden in the middle of the city. Who made it? Why? How is it that you feel like you are in Barcelona when you are really in Philadelphia?

Genius or Madman?

Visionary is the word in regards to artistry that can be used to describe Isaiah Zagar, the artist and mastermind behind the Philadelphia Magic Gardens. For the past 10 years, 72 year old Zagar has taken junk, bottles, tiles, dishes, sculpture, mirrors, anything and everything and turned them into beautiful mosaics and murals adorning the Philadelphia Magic Gardens and surrounding South Street neighborhood. Even the ceiling of the Philadelphia Magic Gardens building has been transformed into a mosaic. Zagar’s work is distinct and provides many messages cultural, political, and sentimental. Zagar’s approach to his art and the community, however, is another story. Genius or Madman? Everyone has their own opinion.

Zagar's ode to 9/11

Zagar is an artist with a one track mind and mission. If he sees a wall or an empty plot of land and wants it, he will do whatever it takes to have it. There have been times in the past where Zagar has seized a blank slate like a graffiti artist and started working. It is also common that he commemorates people from the community into his mosaics and murals. Guy with tools and cap look familiar? He’s the local plumber. Imagine seeing yourself one day in a 50 foot mosaic mural. What a surprise that would be.

Mike Mattio - Zagar's Plumber

I stumbled upon the Philadelphia Magic Gardens on my last Philly trip. The center was closed and I was only able to peer in from the outside gates. I managed to snap some pictures and when I found out you could take a tour of the grounds, I vowed to come back and center my next day trip around the Philadelphia Magic Gardens.

Carlos Carpet

For $10 you get a private tour of the building and South Street neighborhood. The tour will take anywhere from one and a half hours to two if you go overtime. The walking tour covers quite a bit of ground so plan accordingly. Bring water with you, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a stroller if you have small children. The tour must be booked in advance. Philadelphia Magic Gardens is also open to the public for self guided viewing for a mere admission cost of $5.

South Street Neighborhood Mural

The Philadelphia Magic Gardens is a non-profit organization and definitely worth a look when in the Philadelphia area. Great for photography buffs, families, art enthusiasts, and anyone who loves something shiny and interesting. 

Philadelphia Magic Gardens

1020 South Street

Philadelphia, PA 19147

Philly Naked Bike Ride 2011- The Video

"Look naked people!" my friend who has a grade of about 700 screamed. We chased after him in confusion only to meet a couple of hundred naked bikers. It was interesting, amusing, and totally not vulgar. It was just a couple of hundred naked bikers having a good time. There weren't that many spectators either. Nor were there cops or a lot of cars honking. Philly either has a lot of patience or is a nudist colony at heart.

 

Philly Naked Bike Ride 2011

Philly Naked Bike Ride

Philly Naked Bike Ride 2011

The Philly Naked Bike Ride took place on Sept. 4, 2011. I was lucky enough to get a front view of some full frontal nudity. It was quite a scene and definitely something that made my weekend trip memorable.

How often do I get to see hundreds of naked bikers, joggers, and rollerbladers out on the streets of Philly? It was certainly a first and the event only happens once a year.

The Philly Naked Bike Ride is meant to promote positive messages of body image, awareness of fuel consumption, and advocacy for cycling. I heard many men yell out, "Stop the drilling!" People wore costumes and the bikes pretty much stopped all car traffic for a good 10 minutes or so.

I didn't see any cops, any arrests, or any misconduct. All in all it was a pretty tame event. My friends and I chuckled, "Did we really just see what we just saw?" Ladies and gents, here are the pictures to prove it.

The beginning of the ride.

Red Light

Body Paint

Kermit

Boa

Bjork in the Background

Live Free or Die

Tandem

Till next year! Happy Naked Bike Ride!

Photography Credits: Philly Naked Bike Ride (logo), Roxwriting

Philly Naked Bike Ride

After All These Years, Pod is Still a Starr

My experience at Pod was one foodgasm after another.

The food at Pod is amazing and reasonably priced, if not underpriced. It is an economical bliss with out of this world ambiance. I often find myself daydreaming about Pod when I just want to get away. When I moved to New York, I moved 3,000 miles away from home. A drive down to Philadelphia is a mere 100 miles from New York but at Pod, it feels light years and a universe away.

Pod is futuristic. It offers traditional Asian fare with a twist. The place is like an outer space playground with ever changing colored lights, a bubbly ceiling, and white on white interior. The sushi boat is a world of its own and if you fancy anime, the screens are like windows of cartoons.  I saw waitresses carry out birthday desserts with sparklers. They were just one candle short of Fourth of July. The service is excellent, welcoming, accommodating, quick, and knowledgeable. Everything thumbs up.

The ultra hot weather called for mocktails, one Cucumber and Apple Spritzer and one White Peach and Mint Soda. Both were refreshing and full of fresh fruit. For dinner, we ordered the special Lobster Ramen appetizer, Tonkatsu Sandwich, and the Rockin Spicy Tuna. The Lobster Ramen was not soupy but had a creamy rich broth-like dressing. The lobster chunks were huge and tender, the vegetable medley offered crunch and the noodles were fresh and not over cooked. The Tonkatsu Sandwich could easily rival David Chang's pork steamed buns. The Rockin Spicy Tuna was food with flair. Sprinkled with black sesame seeds and prepared like little works of art, the spicy tuna was like a sushi hors d'oevre. It was topped with popcornlike tempura rock shrimp and microgreens. The meal was enough to give one an outer body experience.

Lobster Ramen

Tonkatsu Sandwich

Rockin Spicy Tuna

If Pod's tactic to get people to order dessert was to send in a tattooed dessert man instead of our friendly waitress, then it surely worked. I just can't say no to a man with tattoos. We were set on Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate (chocolate toffee bread pudding, chocolate shot with salted rim, and chocolate tart) but when TDM told us about the special Chocolate Flan we had to make our dessert choice Chocolate times four. Death by chocolate all the way at Pod. No worries, you will live to tell the tale of sweet decadence. The Chocolate Flan actually turned out to be light and was complimented by an Earl Grey Tea coulis and black cherries. I could easily devote a whole review to these desserts. Instead, just trust the smile on my face that they were all exquisite. 

Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate and Chocolate Flan    

It's a wonder why Pod isn't advertised on travel sites. It's a trip without breaking the bank.


Pod
3636 Sansome Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104