Diners should be in top physical condition or have recently checked their cholesterol and blood sugar levels before chowing down. Philly can be quite phattening...

Caveat #2:

Philadelphians have a language all their own when it comes to food. Don't worry - I've included instructions for certain items to make sure that you order your grub correctly. Pay attention; you could be refused service if you aren't wid' it.

Soft Pretzels - [Pronounced - 'sof·pressle]

The Philly Soft Pretzel is best when it is bought warm from a street vendor.  For me, I take mine with a thick ring of spicy mustard tracing the outline of the pretzel. Some argue that the dirtier the hand of the seller, the better the pretzel. For those individuals I recommend purchasing pretzels one of Philly's many thru-ways where the vendors come to your car window, exhaust-soaked bag in hand. Pick up a paper bag of 3 pretzels for $1 (unless the price has gone up due to the main ingredient - gasoline fumes) and sink your teeth into chewy, salty bliss.

Water Ice - [Pronounced - ′wood·er ice]

Water Ice is similar to the Italian Ice found throughout the east coast, except less hairy and definately smoother... It's a well known fact that none of yous guys in Philly talks good, so you gots ta say "wooder" if ya' wanna be understood. For a trick to learning our pronunciation, read this sentance out loud,

"This ice is more wood than 'dem chairs. It's wooder ice."

Water Ice is an incredibly refreshing icey treat, and locals know to ask for a spoon and a straw when you pay. Some prefer to start with the spoon and end with the straw, but the true connoisseur knows how to manage both instruments simultaneously, thereby preventing accelerated melt-down.

Water Ice season goes from late April to Mid-September (October in some places). While the most popular flavors are cherry, lemon and watermelon, flavors like chocolate, mango, and cola are also regularly found.

Cheese Steaks

Achuuuhckkk. That's the sound of my heart stopping and I didn't even eat the cheesesteak, I just looked at it.

Cheesesteaks exemplify the phrase "it's so bad it's good". Piled high on an Italian roll - preferably Amoroso's - are a hott mess of finely chopped steak and a variety of toppings including fried onions, pepers, mushrooms, and of course, cheese.

Ordering a cheesesteak is an art in and of itself. To be taken seriously, you must know what you want before you order. Do you want onions or not? Do you want Cheez Wiz, American, Provolone or Swiss? If you know before you go, you'll be eating one of these babies in no time, as they are cooked up as fast you can say "Call an ambulence, I think I'm having a heart attack!"

For a guide on ordering, see this picture taken at Pat's, one of several famous steak joints in Philly:

My order: American Wit and lots of napkins!

Hoagies

Yes, we call them hoagies. Get over it. There's nothing funny about these sandwiches other than the name; they are some serious eats. Hoagies are piled high with your choice of deli meats, tuna, and cheese, and topped off with lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Hots or Sweets (pepers) can be added to suit your taste bud, as well as oregano, salt, black pepper, and olive oil.

Hoagies can be confused for subs or heros, as their known in other areas. But never, ever call a hoagie a "sub" to his face. At most, you can ask for a "grinder", which means that it's put under the broiler to melt the cheese and toast the roll. Six inch, foot long, or 3-footer - they're all delicious!

That's it for our culinary tour of Philly. Of course, there are many more fine foods in Philadelphia, and even health snobs can be satiated. But no matter what your diet, try at least one of the foods above or your visit to the City of Brotherly Love is not complete.

So you booked a ticket, reserved a rental car, and found a hotel room. If you're like most travelers, you'll probably wait until the plane ride to skim the guide book for your destination (if you didn't already skim it at the book store). Sure, guide books are great for touristy sites, maps, and landmarks, but to experience the real essence and history of your destination, use the best resource around - the people who live where you are traveling. Getting in touch with "the locals" is not as hard as you think, especially now that we live in such a hyper connected world. Here are some hints to help you find friendly locals:

Tip 1: Use online tools such as social networking sites and local business directories to find people who work and live where you are visiting. Even if you aren't' visiting an English-speaking country, you can find Anglo-oriented resources for almost every major destination.

Tip 2: Ask friends, family, and coworkers if they have contacts in other countries. 1st degree connections are a great tool because people are more likely to help you if they are personally vested in the the relationship.

Tip 3: Use your neighborhood's international residents. If you are traveling to Mexico, and you are a regular customer at Jose's Cantina, there's no harm in asking Jose a few questions. Start with "Where is your family from? I'm going to Mexico and I thought you would be the perfect person for some insider advice." (Caveat: Be respectful. Don't assume national identities, you don't want to offend anyone!)

Opening the Lines of Communication - Language Barriers and Cultural Differences

Start communicating with individuals as soon as your buy your ticket, and by the time you arrive to their turf, you'll have a good idea of what to expect in terms of local customs, potential language barrier issues, and cultural differences.

The best way to begin is always with a friendly "Hello". Introduce yourself to your contact as someone who is visiting their home. Don't write as if it's a business transaction. If you approach them with respect and treat them as experts, they will be more likely to help you. A sample email/communication:

Dear ---,

I found your information through [name of referring site or person] and I am really interested in finding out about your home town. I'm planning to travel to [location] and I've heard that there are some great places to see. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks for your time! Maybe we'll bump into each other when I visit.

Regards,
---

On the Plane, in the Land, Wondering Where to Go...

Whether or not you have succeeded in making some local contacts before your departure, you can still travel through the locals, locally. Ask your seat neighbor on the plane ride for his or her favorite restaurant in the arrival city. Find out how the currency works and what is the average price for a sandwich and a cola. This kind of basic information will help you feel more comfortable in foreign countries. You can avoid being flustered when fumbling for change in a strange currency. If you do your research and learn some sample prices, you'll avoid being taken advantage of.

Also, use the hotel staff - and I'm not talking about the concierge only. Ask the Bell Hop, the waiter, the barman, and the valet park staff for their recommendations. You'll find out where the locals hang, and you'll have a more authentic experience than if you went only to those sponsored places from the hotel's tourist information booklet.

Lastly, if you are site-seeing on a packed avenue full of tourist traps, try walking down a parallel road or alley (only if it looks safe, depending on where you are in the world). Often times, the less traveled roads near major tourist destinations have charming shops, restaurants, and personal history to explore. And, they might be less expensive than the main drag's counterparts.

If traveling in big groups and on tour buses isn't your thing, then traveling through the locals might be right for you. Local knowledge adds passion and personal flair to your journey (and often cuts expenses, too). So...where are you going next? Can I come?

Happy travels!

Personal Space and Mass Transit

What's silver and shiny and holds lots of people as they move? Poles! Poles inside the subway cars and buses are not for holding up the ceiling, and certainly not for dancing. A couple hundred people can fit in one subway car, and since there are only about 40 seats, this means most people in crowded cars are standing. Buses are more or less the same, but their ride is much more bumpy, so it's extra important to be careful.

Blocking hand space on the support poles is a terrible offense. If you've ever had a ride where someone monopolized the pole by leaning back against it, you know how it feels. Poles give us support, comfort, and a little slice of territory inside this big, noisy, metal box. When you hold on, take care to notice that your hand isn't sliding down into someone else's space. Accidental hand-touching is just plain awkward and creepy.

In addition, if you have been blessed/cursed with an abundance of waist, please do not try to squeeze onto the open seat between two happily seated riders. Search for a corner, an edge, or an empty row.

When you stand, make sure you take into account how much room is available around you for other passengers. If you have a lot of space, center yourself within it so as to provide the oncoming passengers their choice of room in which to stand. If you are a sardine in a can, keep your wandering hands to yourself (creepy guy on the #5 train, you know who you are) and don't cop a feel “accidentally.”

Sardined cars are both the best and worst cars to ride in. On the one hand, you are surrounded by human buttresses so it's unlikely that you will fall if you can't hold on to the pole. On the other hand, you might be face-to-armpit with a construction worker. When in a packed car, remember the following:

1. Take your purse or bag off your shoulder and place it in between your legs
2. Fix your hair up in a way that doesn't cause someone else to eat a mouthful of frizz
3. Breathe to yourself, not down someone else's neck or back.