If I had had only one word to describe Charleston with that word would be ‘Stunning’. When we decided back home the places we would like to go, we only chose Charleston because we wanted to be able to say we had visited as many states as possible. And I am so glad that we were that ignorant back then to chose Charleston in South Carolina because it was the biggest writing on the map in SC...
Charleston has been the biggest surprise so far on the trip. We had know idea what we were coming to visit and even if we had I’m not sure we would have been able to conjure up a picture as beautiful as the town is. The southern tip of Charleston is where all the original buildings still stand (although most definitely renovated) making up a town in-itself really. The houses and buildings are all Colonial Georgian with a massive touch of Italian influence, making them some of the most astounding pieces of architecture we have ever seen. I don’t think I can find the words to describe just how lovely they are so will have to post pictures to demonstrate! They are all wrapped in a deep and important part of history that surrounds the civil war, George Washington and some of the men that signed the Declaration of Independence. Most of the houses have amazing wooden balconies (on every floor of course!), ornate little gardens and wonderful little fountains. These homes are still lived in today and sit on the edge of gorgeous tree lined streets (some still cobbled), winding there way to the sea.
The seafront itself is so very English. There is a promenade that runs the whole length of onside of the town and has water fountains and gardens spread along it. One can even dip there feet in the fountains if they wish. Which I did obviously! It is so quiet in this old part of town, not even a car or person is to be seen really, that you could forget you were in the present entirely. Both Ollie and I agreed that we were expecting a group of soldiers to walk around the corner at any minute or to see a Georgian Lady in all her fine clothes. The place has been kept so well that it is so easy to imagine how it might have been all those years ago.
The other part of Charleston (which I keep referring to as a town when its probably a city but feels more like a town so I shall continue to refer to it as such), is more modern and yet the new buildings have been constructed to fall in line with the original architecture. King St is the bustling shopping centre with brands such as Louis Vitton and other posh names finding a spot here amongst lovely smaller boutiques and countless antique stores. The later were selling some extraordinary pieces and I think for the first time Ollie realised what a pontion I have for chandeliers the way I kept on about them!
Another important part of Charleston is Market Street. Originally a meat and fish market way back in Colonial Times, it is now a place for souvenirs, trinkets and wonderful grass baskets made by the locals. It was in one of the shops along side the market though were I had my ultimate treat of the day. In a sweet shop to be precise. It cost $3.28 and was worth every cent! A ‘Bears Claw’ or a giant Florentine to you or I. Massive pieces of pecan nut sprinkled over a thick layer of liquid toffee, all held together by a huge dollop of solid white chocolate. More than delicious! It was a taste sensation!!
After walking all around the town (yes our map was to scale today woop!) we decided to head out a little way in search of a super market. And we found the best super market ever! Well I thought so anyway! It was called ‘Piggly Wiggly’ and used a giant pig as its mascot. Piggly Wiggly made loads of announcements in store in an hilarious voice that sounded like (and I am certainly so being racist here) a plantation worker! Further to that, employees would keep getting on the microphone and say stupid things and get all the shoppers to wish certain staff members ‘Happy Birthday’! It was an hilarious experience and we finally found some cheap food and fresh produce. Winner!!
We had seen back at the campsite that you could have a BBQ and fire so we purchased some burgers, marshmallows and popcorn that you could make on a fire. All yesterday afternoon I had been looking forward to the fire we would have this evening and was, as always, far to over excited about toasted marshmallows! Heading back to our shuttle bus, food in hand we couldn’t have been more happy. A wonderful day in a beautiful town and tonight would be awesome around the camp fire. And then it started to rain...
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As I write this I am sitting beneath a small wooden shelter that is home to the washing machines on site here at the camp ground. Not only is the only place with plug sockets we can use to charge our various electrical items and clean our clothes (yay no more stinkyness!), it is also the driest spot we can find!
Now when I say it is raining, I mean it’s raining. A rain so solid that I have only ever seen similar on programs about rainforest. A rain so fine a persistent that you would be soaked through before you even realised it was raining. A rain so penetrating that after a few moments our day sack was soaked through. A rain so heavy (yes you can have a rain that is heavy and fine...I’m sitting in it) that it fills up the ground to ‘super soggy’ level within minutes. A rain that although you would never allow your head to admit it, your heart knows it could go on for hours, days. Or perhaps even years. This kind of rain is the worst imaginable thing for campers. Yet we are not just campers. We are campers in the tiniest type of tent that any small amount of running water could just sweep away. Never to be seen again.
But that’s not the least of our troubles. What did I say we bought in ‘Piggly Wiggly’? BBQ food. And only BBQ food. Won’t that be an interesting dinner in the rain?! Without the meat there is only cheap plastic cheese (that only tastes good on burgers), BBQ sauce and bread rolls. Yummy! So my wonderful plan is for now on hold. We will get our delicious feast? Only the rain can decide...
Please note - There would have been pictures but due to unforeseen weather conditions, the camera equipment cannot be used at this time.
18/10/11
I do hope that by the time you read this the rain has stopped!!! and the eating can start. While I have not been to Charleston I have been to Atlanta which is near by relatively so to speak and the architecture sounds much the same. Just amazing. The variety of the states was something I never really got over.
ReplyDeleteI have a penchant for proof correcting their copy. I do it too often.
ReplyDeleteOn other matters: I sincerely hope you've dried out and Joel Roberts Poinsett (after whom the Christmassy flower the poinsettia was named) came from Charleston. You read it here first. (Although you've probably read it there ...)