Day 11 - 4/14/2017 - Charleston, SC - Yowsa! What a Town!

One of the first and best things that I learned from my father was the music of George Gershwin. My dad had a pretty good voice. He was a bass and sang in barbershop quartets and the church choir. When it was hot and humid, and not much breeze, he would occasionally sing Summertime, the masterpiece from Porgy & Bess. The first true American opera, and one that brought both races together on the stage, for the first time.

Gershwin was visiting in Charleston and began writing the play and the song that perfectly captures the laziness of a hot summer day, and the interplay between whites and blacks.

The play was not allowed to be staged in Charleston until the 1970's.

I got that little tidbit about Charleston from the driver of the Carriage tour we took. He was very personable and knowledgeable of the history of the city, a job requirement and test before he could get a license from the city. That was followed by a 3 year driving apprenticeship. That sounds a lot like what the cabbies of London have to go through. He handled the team of horses extremely well.

Charleston South Carolina

We came into town while it was still light and we were amazed at the old houses in town. They're like other houses we have seen, just "more so". Exceptionally cool.

It was in the 70's today, with a little breeze. This was the kind of day where the Chamber of Commerce shakes each others hand because of the perfection. "These tourists will be back!" 

Probably so.

We had lunch before the tour. Vickie spied the bartender preparing a drink and said "That looks like a Bloody Mary, you should try it."  Not being one to turn down a challenge, I agreed.

It was a little different. Two olives and a pickled Okra on a stick. Plus a jumbo Gulf Shrimp, dragged through a chili pepper and Tamarind spice coating.

Not bad at all.

The tour was a good treat. A slow walk through outstanding neighborhoods, with a knowledgeable guide.

Charleston is the oldest city in South Carolina, founded in 1670. For it's entire existence it has been a bustling and critical port for the East Coast.

In 2016, Travel + Leisure magazine named Charleston "The World's Best City."

I can't say how much pleasure this trip is giving us. Being out of touch with all the news that I follow daily has calmed my soul. While times are certainly dire in mine and many eyes, there is still a lot of day-to-day life that brings immense pleasure.

I met a young man tending bar at the hotel named Conor. He's waiting for his girl friend to muster out of the military. His plans are to go into residential real estate and learn his chops, and to move up to commercial real estate.

Good luck Conor.

Tomorrow and on to Atlanta. And to my great delight, I with will get to spend part of Monday with a young man who will show me his test apparatus on the EM Drive, which may change this planet forever,