Here’s the thing about the deep south, and cities such as Charleston, Beaufort and Savannah, it’s kinda like no other place you’ll ever visit in the US. But then again the same can probably be said about the Pacific Northwest or the Southwest or the Midwest Bible Belt. But then again… the history of the south is, well, like no other.
Divided as a Nation
Okay, really, the US is so freakin huge that until you spend time exploring each of the regions, you really can’t have a sense of what makes this country tick; why we are so – divided as a nation – as spewed by the current political rhetoric. But spend some time exploring the back roads of this country and you’ll find yourself asking, “How could it be anything but divided?”
We’ve taken 4 road trips across this country, and back again, and every time we hit the road I learn something new. And although we were recently only on the road for 2 weeks, this time was no exception. I learned so much.
A Passion for History
One of the perks of publishing a blog is that it sometimes opens doors for you; an opportunity to meet and talk with someone that most likely would not happen otherwise. Enter Tony. Tony who is the director of the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon in Charleston, South Carolina, who gifted us with tickets to the Old Exchange and the Slave Mart. Tony, who spent over an hour talking with us, sharing his passion for the history of the deep south, and beyond. I learned more in that 1 hour than I did in a semester’s worth of US History.
What this man, Tony, could teach you! Don’t miss an opportunity to visit The Old Exchange Building when in Charleston and tell Tony we say, “Hey!”
The Moral Compass
When you travel through the south, it can be a conundrum for the moral compass. The culture, the food, the architecture, etc., all beg to inspire the soul. Yet, you have to remind yourself – and take the time to acknowledge – the history of the region. Those beautiful homes were built by the enslaved. And that the Slave Mart was exactly that, a place to buy/sell human beings. Be inspired, but be a witness as well and learn from the experience.
This was our 2nd visit to the Old Slave Mart – a powerful experience no one should miss.
Looking for Rhett Butler
And that’s the thing. To be inspired by the grand piazzas, of the homes of Charleston, is in fact inevitable; you can’t help yourself. Strolling the cobblestone streets is like walking back through time and half expecting to find Rhett Butler leaning against a street lamp tipping his hat to you. It is the essence and charm of Charleston.
The piazza – a place to relax and sip a mint julep while whiling away the day.
Still Private & Still White
Charleston. For some the civil war is a state of being. For others, grand homes equal grand wealth and status. While still others love their city and have found a way to pay homage to the past while embracing today and being excited about tomorrow. And then there’s the last bastion of days gone by – the Carolina Yacht Club, still private and still white. Or, sadly, the tent city just outside the downtown historic core.
The Carolina Yacht Club. Still private and all white. A widow of a member can dine at the club, but cannot bring a man.
Charleston, it’s an amalgamation and it’s all kinds of fabulous!
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For a brief moment I thought Toni was Abi, but then realised my mistake. Charleston looks like a very charming place.
Gilda Baxter recently posted…Managing IBS Symptoms When Travelling
Charleston – and the south in general – is a unique area in the US, hopefully, one day you’ll have the opportunity to visit.
We explored some of the southern states of the US on a road trip this fall and hope to visit the Carolinas next fall when we visit the US again. Charleston is sure to be on our list and, as your photos and narrative show it’s a city where we’ll want to linger a couple of days. I’d love to visit The Old Exchange Building and am bookmarking this post as a reminder!
Anita @ No Particular Place To Go recently posted…The Postman Rang Twice: The Portuguese Side of a Resident Visa
Stay tuned, Anita, for more stories about our ramble through the south!
Haven’t explored the south and so it is foreign to me. I like the lush green look but wouldn’t like the humidity.
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I was absolutely fascinated with the trees – the ferns and Spanish moss that grow on them – but even in January it was humid.
It’s true, for us Yankees, visiting parts of the Old South is like visiting a foreign county. Right out of law school in 1980, I was offered a job with a legal services program in rural South Carolina. During my job interview I was jokingly told that if I accepted the job, I would have to have two cars. Thinking of my nonexistent savings, I asked why. The response was that I had to have one to drive around in and one to leave rusting on my lawn. Next, one of the lawyers returned from court crying. One of her clients had been taken off to the chain gang. Fortunately, I was offered a job in Philly—and the rest is history.
Philly was calling, but that’s a pretty great interview story!
When I lived in Charlotte, years ago, I was so surprised to learn that the kids would go to school on Memorial day. When I asked why, I was told quite carefully. “That is a YANKEE holiday.”
Damn Yankees! 😉 I love the south, but there are some definite “opinions” shall we say?