Saturday morning, walking from Hilton Garden Inn, we see a golden oak wagon with red trim that looks as if it were just finished yesterday. The sprightly pony pulling it is as high as my waist. There he is, looking absolutely frisky and playful as he bounces along with only tiny children in the wagon. All three of us catch on simultaneously: "Die Ah-mish!"

Without the presence of mind to snap a photo, I jog along behind the wagon until it leads me to Reading Terminal underpass and the Amish Festival. I almost run into a cow! Now, what a black-and-white spotted cow looking just like Borden’s Daisy is doing here, I haven’t a clue, but I finally think to get a photo of these ponies--sure, now that they aren't bouncing like puppies anymore!--before I begin to look for food.

I notice jugs of dark brown brew. Closer, I see "homemade root beer--50 cents a cup." After a few each, we wish we had bought a half-gallon jug ($3.95). We’ve had breakfast at the hotel, but we want to sample Amish cooking. I spot the perfect after-breakfast dessert.

I have tasted peach pie I didn’t relish, but this one is scrumptious and without any sugary or other aftertaste.

We must walk to Market Street to get our bus, but we’ll stop on our way back to the hotel--not too late for the market, because we’ll have to shower before our Candlelight Walking Tour of Society Hill, which, incredibly, begins at 6:30pm (sunny and nearly 100°F). I’ll want more root beer then! All the Amish haven’t arrived yet; perhaps there will be more.

We don’t make it back until late Saturday, after most Amish vendors have left. A band is playing outside in the underpass, and a few folks linger at tables. We have another peach pie and look inside for something to take back to the hotel. At a pastry counter, a girl is buying an Italian pastry I want: crostata di frutta. There are only two, so I wait to see if she scarfs both. When she buys only one, I take the other. Heavenly! The thick and flaky pastry wafer covered with Italian cream, fresh pineapple, kiwi, and other fruit is one of the best-made desserts I’ve had on this continent! Sorry, I devoured it fast and didn’t think of a photo (or the hotel), but I can tell you that it was beautiful.

I buy plums to take to the room, and they are perfect specimens. My one disappointment at Reading Market hits me hard--no Philly cheesesteaks! There are places here where you can buy one and sit and eat it, but they aren’t open late Monday afternoon! Only burger and seafood stands are open, but we find a diner-style restaurant.

Our turkey sandwiches ($7.50) are a full meal, with broccoli, potatoes, and dressing.

We’re glad we’ve stayed next door! Now downstairs for R-1, the airport train.

What are you looking for? Chances are if it's got anything to do with food, it'll be here. If you cook and are looking for that weird spice, kitchen item, seafood, special whatever, just come and spend a few minutes wandering around. You'll find exactly what you were looking for, you probably also bought a baked good to munch on, a flower bouquet for the tabletop, and some fruity jam for your mum. Just amazing....

Besides restaurants the Reading Terminal Market also has a myriad of small stands where you can purchase fresh food items to take home and put together your own gourmet meal. I recommend bringing a cooler,with ice and a large, sturdy shopping bag.

Get a map when you first walk in and if you're with a group, pick a common meeting spot (a good place is the big stone pig, Philbert, near center.

For fresh produce you have choices among Asian,Italian, Pennsylvania Dutch and several organic stands.Each one has a little something different to offer. For bread that tastes as good as that in New York, try Le Bus or Metropolitan Bakery...a little pricey but worth it. Don't leave without stopping at Termini's Italian Bakery stand (row 3) for some Sicilian cookies or fresh cannolis.

If you are interested in seafood,the selection is UNBELIEVABLE. I found prawns the size of small lobsters for a very reasonable price. Vendors are more than happy to answer questions and though I've tried many it seems to me the Asian seafood guys have the freshest fish.

Old City Coffee carries not only every conceivable flavor of coffee but an unbelievable selection of teas as well. If you're thirsty for something else there's Four Season's Juice Bar for fresh blended drinks and smoothies,and even a Beer Garden serving domestic and imported beers,wines and spirits.

There are several Amish stands clustered next to each other for fresh eggs, turkey products,REAL original hot pretzels- made on site. Then there's Glick's Salads for pickled chow-chow,apple butter and honey. Keep moving and you'll find several Pennsylvania Dutch butchers (with pork,veal,prime beef,sausage,lamb) and poultry vendors,(with home-raised duck,geese,turkey and game birds). Pick up some fresh Lebanon Bologna at any of the Amish butchers, take it home,spread it with Philly cream cheese and slice into rounds. Heaven! Move along and you'll find farm fresh dairy products(with ice cream, fresh-churned butter and local cheeses).

An interesting day stand is My Kid's Dairy where fresh goat's milk cheese and goat's milk fudge are sold... This is just a small sampling of the many quality items sold at Reading Terminal Market. You will have to come and see yourself the best that Philadelphia has to offer!

Since the Reading Terminal Market is too large to adequately cover in one journal entry, I'll just cover restaurants in this one. The Market started in the 1800s when farmers came to town to sell produce, meat,etc... It's conveniently located right across from the Market St. Train Station and subway entrance. If you enter on Filbert St., the best bet is to head to the far left and start your tour there.

First row at left(12th St.side) includes The Rib Stand, a real down-home spot for ribs and roasted potatoes. Then there's Pearl's Oyster Bar, one of my favorite stops. It's always crowded as the oysters and seafood are fresh and delicious and give you a real taste of Philly. The next row finds another popular spot...the Dutch Eating Place, run by Amish and Mennonite workers who are the real McCoy...and so is the food! I took my brother and a friend and they chowed down on a breakfast of scrabble, fresh fried eggs, applebutter and schmierkase (a kind of cottage cheese). There's a great set of hoagie vendors in this row as well...Rocco's and Spataro's.

For more exotic fare try Sang Kee Peking Duck, right out of Chinatown(the ducks are hanging by their necks in front of stand) not for the squemish...but the Shanghai Gourmet Restaurant, also in this row, serves fresh, better than ordinary Cantonese, Mandarin and Szechuan meals. There is also a Tokyo Sushi Bar,located only a few feet away from Amish butchers and produce stands. There's a Mexican Cantina (so-so),a decent vegetarian snack bar and fresh-roasted turkey sandwiches and platters right next to each other in this aisle. For great Southern cuisine there's Delilah's, Down Home Diner and Fireworks!

For Greek and Middle Eastern try Olympic Gyro and Kamal's Middle Eastern Specialties. For seafood there are 4 great Asian seafood markets where you can get your meal cooked right there; Coastal Cave,Golden Fish Market,Johnny Yi Fish Market and Kim's Seafood . This is just a sampling of eating establishments I have personally visited and loved in this Philadelphia must-see!

The Market is closed Sunday.