Cities, I think, are absolutely fascinating.
Especially the idea that the people, culture, architecture and industry of cities across the United States can vary so drastically.
A few weeks ago, I visited Charleston, S.C. during my spring break. It was my first time in Charleston, but also my first time in a true Southern city. I grew up right outside of New York City and attend school a few hours from Chicago, so my conception of a city has always been a place filled with sky-high buildings, honking cars and rushed, unfriendly people.
Charleston was definitely not that kind of place.
Charleston has a true Southern flavor, which I loved. Not only do people wave or smile at you on the street, but doormen pause to help tourists with directions and drug store owners actually let people use their bathrooms.
Southern charm is a real thing.
Crazy.
Of course, the city itself is gorgeous, with its beautiful, pastel-colored Antebellum homes situated right on the water. The historic architecture and city layout gave Charleston a European feel, more so than anywhere else I’ve been on the East Coast.
This vibrant metropolis holds close to its roots — so much of the city’s past remains present. Old stone blocks even sit on street corners, once used to help men mount their horses, now active reminders of a genteel past.
And if I wasn’t already in love with the place, some key scenes in The Notebook were shot in Charleston.
SKETCHING A STORY 
Sara, Charlestown sounds wonderful-I hope to visit with you sometime!
Yeh, the South is very laid back in the visits I’ve had. I hope you got to enjoy the Southern hospitality and wonderful comfort food while you were down there. It gets even better as you go deeper into the South, skip Florida, it doesn’t count to the richness you enjoy in the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana and maybe Mississippi.
Nothing compares to Southern cooking! I had the honor of enjoying it during a tour with the Men’s Chorus at BGSU when I sang in it. From the refreshing sweet tea to wash down the grits and the pulled pork and ribs, the experience just screamed “Welcome Home”.
When I wasdown in Mobile Alabama to cover football, the sports editor was determined to go to a place he heard had the best pulled pork and ribs — the Brick Pit as it was called. It was more like two shacks on the side of the road with lots of cars. I’m usually not a big fan of pork due to its texture, but it was at that place I started loving the meat. I went with the shredded pulled pork but got a free sample of fresh ribs off the roaster. I was hesitant at first, but these guys had slow roasted the stuff for so long that it was even more thunder than the shredded pork. Heavenly.
Anyways, I digress yet again.
I miss the South a lot. Next time you venture down that way, try Savannah, Georgia if you really liked Charleston.
Running corrections (fail) Someone get me a copyeditor:
… South. Skip Florida, …..
…. was down ….
… more thunder (tender) than the shredded pork….
Stupid autocorrect.