Day 1 - Flew to Philadelphia
I went to Philadelphia to visit my cousins for a week. I had to wake up early to catch my flight from Oakland Airport to Philadelphia Airport. I was really excited for this trip and all the experiences I would have. When I arrived, my cousins welcomed me, and we planned a three-day trip from Philadelphia to Portland, Maine.
Day 2 – Philadelphia → Portland, Maine
It took us more than six hours to get there because we stopped at several interesting places along the way to explore and try local food. Our first stop was Mitsuwa Marketplace for breakfast, and nearby there was a spot where we could take photos of the New York City skyline. The weather that day was hot and sunny, so we didn’t spend much time there.
We then continued north toward Portland, Maine. On the way, we stopped by Harvard University because I wanted to experience the atmosphere of a top university—hoping it would motivate me to study harder.
Since it was getting dark and we were all tired, we checked into a motel to rest and recharge for the next day.
Day 3 – Lighthouses & lobster
The following day, we visited the lighthouse at Fort Williams Park in Maine. It was a beautiful place to take photos and enjoy nature, the fresh air, and the sound of the waves.
After that, we were hungry and ready for lunch, so we went to The Highroller Lobster Co. to try their lobster rolls and fresh oysters. I couldn’t wait to taste the food, and it was actually really good. We ordered boiled lobster with dressing on top, fries, salad, and three different types of fresh oysters.
In the afternoon, we went on a biking tour with a guide for two hours. We biked all around the area, visiting historical sites and learning more about the local history. We rode about five miles along a paved trail that led to two historic lighthouses: Bug Light and Spring Point Light. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot about the culture there.
Day 4 – Southbound errand
On the last day of our trip in Maine, we looked for live lobsters sold directly by fishermen because we thought it would be cheaper than buying from the market. We searched online and even asked local people, but unfortunately, we couldn’t find any, so we ended up buying lobsters from a supermarket.
Day 5 – New York day trip
We drove to New York City to see the Statue of Liberty, and it ended up being a really memorable trip. It was also my first time riding the subway—and honestly, I didn’t like it. The infrastructure felt very old, the stations were dirty and hot, and there was a strong smell that made the experience uncomfortable. It made me wish New York could rebuild the subway to be more like the systems in Japan or Korea, which are clean, modern, and well-organized.
Even though NYC has a unique charm, the transit system could definitely improve. For example, the city could modernize the stations with better ventilation, brighter lighting, and stronger air-conditioning. They could upgrade the trains to newer models, increase cleaning frequency, and add more security to help people feel safer. Expanding bus service would also help—especially if they made buses cheaper and added more express routes so people aren’t forced to rely only on the subway. Using more technology, like platform screen doors and real-time updates, could also make the system much easier and more pleasant to use. These changes would make a huge difference for both locals and visitors.
Besides the subway experience, we spent the whole day exploring New York. We visited the Statue of Liberty, toured the museum, walked through Times Square, and tried famous New York pizza. We walked so much—about 20,000 steps—that by the end of the day, I couldn’t even feel my legs. It was exhausting but still fun, and despite everything, visiting New York City was an unforgettable experience.
Day 6 – Back in Philly
The next day, we went to see the Liberty Bell at the Liberty Bell Center, where I learned about its history. Liberty Bell Center. Cast in 1752, the bell’s inscription—“Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land”—helped turn it into a symbol of American freedom. The crack is part of its story. After that, we tried a Filipino food truck, and the food was good and cheap.
Last Day - Flew back in Oakland
A week went by quickly but felt full: family time, coastal air, a bit of history, and a lot of good food. The small moments—bike paths by the harbor, and skyline photos.
