The air is warm and balmy, Palm trees line boulevards populated with whimsically coloured houses, Palmetto bugs (a nicer name for cockroaches) appear frequently (I confess I only saw one, thankfully), and everyone is warm and friendly. The entire town is a historical site, having been built and rebuilt after earthquakes, hurricanes, all nearly to scale to their original 18th and 19th century grandeur. There is a sizable French population in Charleston, too, so I unexpectedly happily chatted with Francophone store and gallery owners.
We spent 2 days in Charleston, SC visiting our friend, Abner Calhoun Witham Jr. (Cali for short), whose family has lived in Charleston for several generations. Charleston was founded in the 17th century as a main trading port to the Caribbean. It is famed for encounters with Blackbeard, Bonnet, sailors, jazz musicians, the slave trade, and its strategic role in the Revolutionary, Civil and Second World Wars.
We were graciously invited to a dinner party the night we arrived after our nine hour drive from D.C. Breakfasts were at Gaulard et Maliclet, aka Fast and French to the locals, where we dined on fresh chocolate or ham/cheese croissants and strong coffee. We wandered the old streets popping into shops, galleries and restored historic sites. We had lunch at the Blind Tiger, a famous former speakeasy. It was transporting to walk through the jazz age, full of flappers, pearls, illegal liquor and dancing. Last night I had my first mint julep with dinner and it was refreshing and divine!
Our day of historic sightseeing was topped off with a drive in a red 1970 convertible volkswagen out to an island for fresh seafood and grits. Delicious and so much fun! Wind in our hair, friends all around - it was like being transported to another era!
Yesterday, we treated ourselves to a day at Folly Beach. We picked up fresh fruits and vegetables on our way and spent the day in the warm salty Atlantic waters. Heaven! After a long nap we dressed up for dinner and wandered around to East Bay st. area for dinner at Magnolia's and followed it up with live Brazilian jazz at the Charleston Grill. Jim and I are having a great time visiting such romantic spots and reconnecting with wonderful friends.
More from the South to come! Stay tuned!
You know my travel preferences to this point have definitely not included the US of A, but instead have been Africa, India and China. I must say thought that your sympathetic and appreciative description of the spirit, fun and texture of Charleston make it a lot more attractive to me! :)
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