This is just a crazy observation, uh, emphasis on crazy  — but Philly is a city rife with whackjobs.  That’s my term of endearment for mentally unstable people who walk down the street talking (usually loudly) to no one in particular.

Now I enjoy nutcases as much as the next person … don’t get me wrong.  But crazy people abound in this town.  I’ve seen dozens of ‘em over the last few days.  The first person I spotted was when I was checking in to the hotel.  He was violently stomping down the street like he was crushing imaginary grapes.  I couldn’t quite make out what he was saying, but it sounded like “rutabaga”.

The weird thing is … no one paid any attention to him.  Maybe he was a regular?   I actually stopped wheeling my luggage and was momentarily transfixed on him.  But then remembered it’s impolite to stare.

Speaking of quirky and strange, Philly is home to the Mutter Museum … otherwise known as the Museum of Medical Oddities.  Several of my friends mentioned it was an unlikely tourist attraction and one I couldn’t afford to miss.

From goiters to gout, every strange medical affliction is represented here.  You see, rather up close and personal, the effects of smallpox, syphilis and scurvy.  And who knew there were so many Siamese twins running around in the world?

I was wildly intrigued at all the displays for about 30 minutes, but then lost interest.  If you’ve seen one gangrenous foot, you’ve seen ‘em all.  So my attention turned to people watching.   People would hesitantly walk up to disembodied legs or shrunken heads and mutter, “Gross!” or “Yuck!” under their breath.  The whole place had a sort of “ick-factor” to it.  Many patrons were bummed that one of the displays “Mega Colon” was being refurbished.  The guard standing outside the closed display was sullen and surly.  Dare I say he was an asshole?  (Get it?)

I had no idea humans had so many afflictions and ailments.  There was an entire area devoted to diseases of the eyes.  Ironically, I averted my eyes because I was so disgusted.  If you’re even slightly squeamish, I’d avoid this place like the plague.

Which reminds me … thank God most of the world’s plagues are under control!  You do NOT want to see the effects with your own non-jaundiced eyes.  Xanthelasma be damned.