After living in Philadelphia for a while, it becomes somewhat strange to call this city "Philadelphia".

The short name that rolls off the tongue, just "Philly". Americans also naturally call it this way, so one day I find myself saying, "I'm eating in Philly, working in Philly, and going back to Philly" without even realizing it.

It's true that the long name was shortened, and there isn't a huge reason behind it, but that's just how it feels.

The city itself feels like a close neighborhood friend. The streets and people are rough, yet it's a place full of warmth. Maybe that's why the nickname Philly suits this city better than its full name.

And when talking about Philly, one cannot overlook the rivers. The Schuylkill and Delaware rivers that flow through this city have been with Philly since its birth to the present day. The Schuylkill River? Its pronunciation isn't easy either.

'School-kill', 'Shuyl', 'Sky-cool'... Everyone has a different way of saying it. In fact, the original meaning is a bit amusing.

Old Dutch people called it "the hidden river". It's said that it felt more like a waterway that was hard to find rather than hidden, and even now the name itself feels like a game of hide and seek, which oddly fits this city well.

It's not an exaggeration to say that this river nurtured Philadelphia. In the past, boats traveled, and coal and goods moved up and down the river. Railroads and factories lined the riverbanks, providing a foundation for the city to grow. Then, as industry declined and the river became polluted, there were times when people said it "smelled like water".

However, now the riverbanks have become the most beautiful walking paths in the city. People ride bikes, jog while looking at the river, and office workers eat lunch on benches... It seems that leisure has taken the place of industry.

Especially Boathouse Row is really beautiful when the lights turn on at night. The lights shimmer on the water, and that sight feels a bit lonely yet magnificent, just like the history of this city. One can't help but think, "If it weren't for this river, Philly wouldn't exist as it is today". The river nurtured the city, and the city embraced the river.

Philly is a city with a friendly name, and within that name flows an ancient story like a river. Maybe that's why this city feels unfamiliar at first, but suddenly seeps deep into your heart one day.

A city that doesn't shine brightly, but feels like a true friend you can be with for a long time. That's why everyone just casually calls it, "Philly."