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Freddy the German World Cup Tourist is Coming Through Pennsylvania, and May Wind Up in Philadelphia
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You’re probably familiar with that German World Cup tourist named Freddy. He’s been over here for a few weeks documenting his journey across the United States, taking in hallowed institutions like Waffle House, Wendy’s, and Chili’s.
Now he’s coming through Pennsylvania:
The first image it looks like he might be on the PA Turnpike for a bit, but in the second image his route takes him up through the Erie/Meadville area and into the bumblefuck portion of New York, which is pretty during this time of the year. He’d roughly come up through Syracuse and over to Burlington, then down into Boston. The scenic route. But he should definitely do the first drive, because he has a chance to confront the final boss of American convenience – the Breezewood exchange at Interstates 70 and 76:
This pic, from Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky, turned into one of those “the European mind cannot comprehend” memes. U.S. Capitalism and consumerism on full display with a half dozen gas stations butting up against a diner, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Starbucks, Subway, Pizza Hut, and Quiznos. There’s a gift shop, too, and a Walmart truck just happens to be coming through at the time the picture was taken.
Funny enough, you actually don’t see this if you’re driving the Turnpike, because it’s about a mile and a half off the highway. But when you take 70 up from Baltimore, it ends at Route 30 and you have to get on this little loop before hitting 76. And of course the picture was taken from a specific angle to look as commercial as possible, but when you zoom out or show it during the daytime, it looks a lot different:
TIL Breezewood PA looks pretty nice when not using manipulative photo techniques
by in pics
What’s cool is that Germany is on track to play in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July. They would just have to win their Round of 32 game against a third place team from Group A, B, C, D, or F. And their opponent in Philly is likely going to be France, so long as France gets by Norway in their final group game. Germany vs. France in Philadelphia on Independence Day is going to be an absolute banger. The Germans are pretty dope, but we have to pull for France because they were on our side during the Revolutionary War. Vive La France!
So Freddy, depending on how long he stays here, is likely going to wind up South Philly. It would be an apt spot for him to conclude his journey. Saving the best for last.
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com