For the majority of the day we pulled weeds - kneeling in the soft dirt with our backs against the scorching sun. I found it difficult to imagine the impact that this small, not very well maintained garden could have on the Waterfront South community. I'm sure that not everyone relishes the idea of spending time in a garden; after all, the neighbors are city people, and many hours of sweat and labor must be sacrificed, time that could be spent working or at home taking care of the family.
But I also think that just as Abigail Center offers solace to its residents, the garden serves as a source of nourishment to its neighbors. Not only does it provide physical nourishment through its vegetables, it also is a haven for people who want to get away from the stress and strain of the bustling city life. Although it may seem like difficult, dirty, and unpleasant work for us, others many be comforted by the green paradise. A thriving garden is found in a neighborhood dominated by bricks and pavement.
After we finished working, we went to a lemonade stand situated across the street from the garden. The girls who were serving us also had a small dog with them. I found this odd because I always figured that people in poor, urban cities did not have either the time or the money to have any pet, especially a dog.
The other things that struck me was that the girls were separated from their house by rails which surrounded the porch. I had noticed such structures before on other houses in Camden. The thick bars made the house look almost like a prison, and I began to sympathize with the children who seemed to live, trapped, behind the rails. In fact, having this lemonade stand was probably one of the few times that they would be allowed outside.
Yet, I also realized that these girls are lucky; they have a family, a home, and a dog, and they probably saw the iron rails as protection rather than confinement. I guess the standards by which we live differ greatly.
Later this afternoon we traveled into Philadelphia. We spent some time browsing in the shops on South Street. For dinner we ate at Jim's Steaks, famous for its cheese steak sandwiches, so famous that the likes of Kobe Bryant have eaten there. I had a steak sandwich with cheese, onions, peppers, and pizza sauce. It was great!
More card games and another shower tonight. I've got to go and get some sleep.
