Sisterhood implies a very special relationship. When two cities enter into a sister city arrangement, they enter into a sacred bond: Sisters are forever. Philadelphia shares that bond with ten cities worldwide, as shown on the International Visitors Council of Philadelphia’s website. One of those cities is Kobe, Japan, known for its pampered beef cattle, hot springs, and bustling port. However, we have concerns that Kobe might not be upholding its side of our familial vows. According to the Official Kobe Tourism Site, Kobe’s sisters are limited to “Seattle City,” “Marseilles City,” “Rio de Janeiro City,” “Riga City,” “Brisbane City,” and “Barcelona City.” “Philadelphia City” is relegated to Kobe’s “friendship and cooperation city.” Fine, Kobe, we get it. You want to be friends with us and work together with us, but you don’t feel we’re close enough to be sisters. Who willingly swapped valuable copies of Tiger Beat for your worthless old issues of Pinky? Who was there for you that time you were a total horndog and mother nature paid you a visit? That party ho Rio de Janeiro? That wine-swilling Marseilles? Didn’t think so. Just wait until you need a maid of honor, then you’ll see. In the meantime, we’ll try to take some small comfort in the fact that “Tianjin City” is your lowly “friendship city.” At least you wanted to be friends and cooperate with us.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 11th, 2009 at 4:19 pm.