Plantations - Yesterday and Today

Sometime people (locals and visitors) think there were only a few plantations in the area - namely the ones that are now open for tours. That is just not so. Many former plantations have been developed into neighborhoods (including where my house is). For more info, this is a very cool website that lists all those in SC! Check it out: http://south-carolina-plantations.com/charleston/charleston-county.html

There is Nothing Like It

I had a delightful stroll through the city this morning with a gentleman from Switzerland. Although he'd been to "America" many times in the past, he had never been to Charleston. I love when I have the opportunity to take first-time visitors on a tour through the city, but when the visitor is from Europe, it is particularly pleasant for me. Europeans have a different, more objective, perspective on things and are generally excited to learn about all things American. The comment that this gentleman made that really struck me was that he'd been all over America but he'd never seen anything like Charleston. Yes, I told him. We have a city that is undoubtedly one-of-a-kind. The city has one foot in the past and one in the present. We enjoy all the modern conveniences of today set within the backdrop of an earlier time. Unlike in most American cities, the old wasn't thrown out with the new in Charleston. In fact, it was cherished. So thanks to our ancestors who built this city and more recent generations who held onto it for us, we have a very special place - "unlike any other."

Lessons to Learn

According to a recent survey in a national travel magazine, Charleston was voted number one in a survey of the friendliest cities. This is not at all surprising. In Charleston, it is just common etiquette to speak to complete strangers when passing on the streets. It's also the norm for two strangers to engage in conversations at the drop of a hat. I think all this friendliness stems from the fact that people who live here are actually thrilled that they live here! Why wouldn't they be? It's a beautiful city with beautiful weather (except in August and January) and beautiful buildings and beautiful parks and beautiful vistas and - well, you get the idea. And speaking of beautiful, another survey by the same magazine ranked Charleston as #1 in having the best- looking people. Well, like they say, when you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, - well, I guess you act good? There must be some correlation. Anyway, both recognitions are well-deserved. And the city placed first in being the most polite earlier in the year, so now it looks like folks from away who for years have been loving Charleston for her buildings, weather, history, and attractions can add her "people" as another reason they love Charleston.