So, as I mentioned earlier, I've been reading the book "Julie & Julia," and I love it. I love it because it's real, as in, it's about this crazy 30 year-old who wants to accomplish something solely for her sanity. I also love it because it's about FOOD.
This post is dedicated to Julie. Why? Because I'm now a chef. I made my very first chicken curry today!
I decided to do it spontaneously yesterday, when my dad called me.
"Katherine, we are watching Glee and eating pizza that I grilled. It's delicious."
"Dad! That is awesome...save me some pizza. I'm making Chicken curry tomorrow."
"What? No way! That sounds like a great plan. I'll make the na'an."
Just like that. For those of you who don't know, na'an is that delicious, buttery, Indian flat bread they put out in baskets at Indian restaurants. So, I was going to make chicken curry. I had the recipe, and I'd done it before with my mom. It was going to actually happen. What? Me being a domestic Indian woman? (Is it just me, or is referring to yourself as a woman when you're 19 completely weird? I want to call myself a girl, but then that seems nondescript because I'm almost 20. Weird identitiy crisis tangent. Sorry.)
After sleeping in (a summer luxury I am going to miss), I went to the dentist. And then to Kroger. I felt so..grown-up. It was also a preview of what's to come this fall, when I take on the kitchen in my apartment- every. single. day. I hope I don't regret dropping the mealplan. And, I promise I will only blog about interesting dishes. (And not bore you with preparing easy mac or something).
Anyway, the chicken curry turned out pretty good, especially for my first time. Nothing can touch my mom's though. God, she is so good. Maybe that's how it should be anyway. I should just tweak the recipe, so it's different, and it's not like trying to compete with hers. Also, note that chickens are pretty gross to wrestle. I didn't actually wrestle the chicken, but my poultry knife did. It was intense.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Seattle: Days 5/6
First of all, sorry about the consolidating of days. But, I just get really super lazy, if I'm being completely honest with you. But, I love blogging. In "Julie & Julia," Julie mentioned that there's something so strange about blogging because it's publishing information about your ordinary life, which can be so boring compared to the lives of people actually making a difference in the world (fighting a war, curing a disease, etc.), on a publicly accessible webpage, but just the fact that you are taking the time to write down events & that people actually read about it makes it special in itself.
I don't know if I agree on the former part of her argument, seeing as I really do aspire to make a difference in this world, which is why I chose to go to Peru for 10 days and why I'm working so hard in school and stressing myself out about scheduling. It's all towards the singular goal of becoming a doctor. And just the philosophy of a doctor is to make a difference. It's inevitable. What if I prescribe amoxycilin to a kid who is going to grow up and invent a time travel device? Exactly.
Anyway back to Seattle...sorry about that tangent. Finally went into the city!!! Gosh, I LOVE this city. Someone asked me if I would be able to live here, and I hestitated a little because, as you know, I love Atlanta sooo much. But, then I thought to myself, I actually could live here. I don't mind the rain. I love the cold (because it's an excuse to bundle up and drink coffee/tea 24/7). I love the quirky but ridiculously cool culture. AND I'm completely into the organic, "green," nature-loving scene.
It's a 30 minute ferry ride to Seattle from Bainbridge. Mom & I jumped it around 11:00 and walked straight to Pike Street Market Center, home to mom&pop food stands, fresh fruit and vegetables from the greater Seattle area, and the most beautiful bouqets you will ever see (for amazing prices). I had this idea that was inspired by my hero, Anthony Bourdain, to just eat our way through the city. As in, avoid sitting down in a restaurant or anything and just eat things we thought looked good. Kind of like "tapas on the go." It was a great idea. We had a chicken samosa, some shrimp tempura, delicious fresh peaches and mangoes, samples of dried fruit and bread with basil olive oil, a smoked salmon piroshky, AND coffee from the original starbucks. Um does it get better than that?
Then, we made our way over to University district, so I could see the University of Washington. Why, you ask? Because it's one of the top 10 Medical schools in the country! I know! But, Emory is still #1 on my list. I mean, it was cute and everything, but I guess I'm really hard to please. Anyway, then we went to International District and got some Chinese food. A lot of good walking and eating in this place. OH and I can't leave out the shopping. Let's just say it's a good thing I have a big closet in my new apartment...
So today, we took our boys into the city again..but this time for the renowned tour "Ride the Duck." Basically, there is a group of 30 or so in a huge white boat..that has wheels. So, the tour is both on land and water. And it was incredible! Not only did I learn so much about this city that I didn't know before, but I enjoyed it 100% and so did the boys. Impressing 8,10 and 11-year old boys (not to mention keeping their attention span satiated) is a feat in itself. Great great time. Do it if you ever find yourself in this city. So, after that we went to Pike's Market again because it's so hard to stay away from. Then, we lunched at Ivar's Seafood Restaurant, which is located right on the water and famous for its clam chowder (and the gratuitous company of seagulls). We took the ferry back to get our bags, and next thing you know, we were on it again. I swear, sometimes I feel like I live on that thing. It was really hard to say goodbye. I love being home so much AND I miss my boys so much! I just wish I could be in multiple places at once. OR that all of my family was in a 1 mile radius. Completely unrealistic, but it would make it all so much easier. Anyway, the good thing is next time I see them...I see Seattle again.
I'm going to end this post with cool facts I learned about Seattle on our tour (quack, quack!):
- Lake Union is the site of where Bill Boeing flew a seaplane for the first time and went on to start an entirely new industry..commercial flight. He also came up with the idea of Stewardesses (who he required had to be RN's, for safety purposes)
- There are over 410 Starbucks Coffee locations in Seattle...the CITY. This includes the original Starbucks, the busiest in the country.
- Bill Nye filmed his show in Seattle. Rock on.
- Jimi Hendrix bought his first guitar in a pawn shop on 1st Avenue that's now a Money Mart.
- Home to the 1962 World Fair.
- Best Public Transportation system EVER.
- The Beatles stayed in the Edgewater hotel (Room 272), and now you can stay there too. It's probably ridiculously priced..but who cares.
- Sleepless in Seattle. Need I say more?
- 50% of this country's seafood goes through Seattle.
- Home to the country's first automated car wash. And Elvis took his Cadillac there.
- Public Art is a staple. I mean, they have a huge statue of a Troll under Fremont Bridge. (Scene from 10 Things I Hate About You).
Okay, that's all for now, folks. I have to run to my gate and then catch a flight. See you on the other coast :)
I don't know if I agree on the former part of her argument, seeing as I really do aspire to make a difference in this world, which is why I chose to go to Peru for 10 days and why I'm working so hard in school and stressing myself out about scheduling. It's all towards the singular goal of becoming a doctor. And just the philosophy of a doctor is to make a difference. It's inevitable. What if I prescribe amoxycilin to a kid who is going to grow up and invent a time travel device? Exactly.
Anyway back to Seattle...sorry about that tangent. Finally went into the city!!! Gosh, I LOVE this city. Someone asked me if I would be able to live here, and I hestitated a little because, as you know, I love Atlanta sooo much. But, then I thought to myself, I actually could live here. I don't mind the rain. I love the cold (because it's an excuse to bundle up and drink coffee/tea 24/7). I love the quirky but ridiculously cool culture. AND I'm completely into the organic, "green," nature-loving scene.
It's a 30 minute ferry ride to Seattle from Bainbridge. Mom & I jumped it around 11:00 and walked straight to Pike Street Market Center, home to mom&pop food stands, fresh fruit and vegetables from the greater Seattle area, and the most beautiful bouqets you will ever see (for amazing prices). I had this idea that was inspired by my hero, Anthony Bourdain, to just eat our way through the city. As in, avoid sitting down in a restaurant or anything and just eat things we thought looked good. Kind of like "tapas on the go." It was a great idea. We had a chicken samosa, some shrimp tempura, delicious fresh peaches and mangoes, samples of dried fruit and bread with basil olive oil, a smoked salmon piroshky, AND coffee from the original starbucks. Um does it get better than that?
Then, we made our way over to University district, so I could see the University of Washington. Why, you ask? Because it's one of the top 10 Medical schools in the country! I know! But, Emory is still #1 on my list. I mean, it was cute and everything, but I guess I'm really hard to please. Anyway, then we went to International District and got some Chinese food. A lot of good walking and eating in this place. OH and I can't leave out the shopping. Let's just say it's a good thing I have a big closet in my new apartment...
So today, we took our boys into the city again..but this time for the renowned tour "Ride the Duck." Basically, there is a group of 30 or so in a huge white boat..that has wheels. So, the tour is both on land and water. And it was incredible! Not only did I learn so much about this city that I didn't know before, but I enjoyed it 100% and so did the boys. Impressing 8,10 and 11-year old boys (not to mention keeping their attention span satiated) is a feat in itself. Great great time. Do it if you ever find yourself in this city. So, after that we went to Pike's Market again because it's so hard to stay away from. Then, we lunched at Ivar's Seafood Restaurant, which is located right on the water and famous for its clam chowder (and the gratuitous company of seagulls). We took the ferry back to get our bags, and next thing you know, we were on it again. I swear, sometimes I feel like I live on that thing. It was really hard to say goodbye. I love being home so much AND I miss my boys so much! I just wish I could be in multiple places at once. OR that all of my family was in a 1 mile radius. Completely unrealistic, but it would make it all so much easier. Anyway, the good thing is next time I see them...I see Seattle again.
I'm going to end this post with cool facts I learned about Seattle on our tour (quack, quack!):
- Lake Union is the site of where Bill Boeing flew a seaplane for the first time and went on to start an entirely new industry..commercial flight. He also came up with the idea of Stewardesses (who he required had to be RN's, for safety purposes)
- There are over 410 Starbucks Coffee locations in Seattle...the CITY. This includes the original Starbucks, the busiest in the country.
- Bill Nye filmed his show in Seattle. Rock on.
- Jimi Hendrix bought his first guitar in a pawn shop on 1st Avenue that's now a Money Mart.
- Home to the 1962 World Fair.
- Best Public Transportation system EVER.
- The Beatles stayed in the Edgewater hotel (Room 272), and now you can stay there too. It's probably ridiculously priced..but who cares.
- Sleepless in Seattle. Need I say more?
- 50% of this country's seafood goes through Seattle.
- Home to the country's first automated car wash. And Elvis took his Cadillac there.
- Public Art is a staple. I mean, they have a huge statue of a Troll under Fremont Bridge. (Scene from 10 Things I Hate About You).
Okay, that's all for now, folks. I have to run to my gate and then catch a flight. See you on the other coast :)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Seattle: Days 3/4
Today & yesterday have been a continuation of the previous two days. Basically, a lot of great food, beautiful weather, and quality time with the family. I picked up "Julie & Julia" from my aunt's bookshelf because I've been wanting to read it ever since the movie came out. I also have a strict rule about seeing movies before reading the books they are based on. I feel like that's cheating the system. So far, it's really good. Extremely entertaining, actually. And it's not some far out story about princesses or a lonely teen who finds love on an airplane or bonding sisters or anything. It's about this woman who feels like her life isn't as she'd pictured it would be at 30 years of age, and so, she takes on this project of cooking her way through Julia Child's "Mastering the technique of French Cooking." She blogs about it, and her husband supports her, and it's really witty and endearing. Like, how the little things you commit to really can bring you back to life.
Maybe I just like that she has a blog? No, it's a good read. I recommend it.
Watched The Bachelorette yesterday with my mom & it was INTENSE. She was down to 3 guys, and I knew she was going to pick Frank in the end, but then he decided he was still in love with his ex-girlfriend and backed out of the show. SO sad for her because he was her favorite, and it was really kind of heartbreaking. Until you realize the whole show is ridiculous, and all 4 people involved (at this point) are not only extremely good looking but also intelligent and sweet, and in reality would never be single. So, I could only pity her for a solid 5 minutes and then move on.
ALSO, I watched my mom make chicken curry yesterday, and I wrote down every step. Don't laugh, but Indian food is the only thing my family really uses to maintain our ethnicity, so the fact I am learning how to make it is so exciting for me!! Not to mention, the food is just so tasty I can't stand it. I will definitely update when I put the recipe to use for the first time.
Visited Lytle beach today. It was sunny with a cool breeze & my cousins spent the hour skipping rocks and trying to sink a dead crab. The joys of childhood. Mom & I are hitting up the city tomorrow.
Maybe I just like that she has a blog? No, it's a good read. I recommend it.
Watched The Bachelorette yesterday with my mom & it was INTENSE. She was down to 3 guys, and I knew she was going to pick Frank in the end, but then he decided he was still in love with his ex-girlfriend and backed out of the show. SO sad for her because he was her favorite, and it was really kind of heartbreaking. Until you realize the whole show is ridiculous, and all 4 people involved (at this point) are not only extremely good looking but also intelligent and sweet, and in reality would never be single. So, I could only pity her for a solid 5 minutes and then move on.
ALSO, I watched my mom make chicken curry yesterday, and I wrote down every step. Don't laugh, but Indian food is the only thing my family really uses to maintain our ethnicity, so the fact I am learning how to make it is so exciting for me!! Not to mention, the food is just so tasty I can't stand it. I will definitely update when I put the recipe to use for the first time.
Visited Lytle beach today. It was sunny with a cool breeze & my cousins spent the hour skipping rocks and trying to sink a dead crab. The joys of childhood. Mom & I are hitting up the city tomorrow.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Seattle: Day 2
I was absolutely exhausted last night. Which, if you think about it, is an amazing feeling because it is the result of productivity or too much fun. Either way, I slept like a baby and woke up to pancakes with the family. And more of that killer cappuccino that I now know how to make. The product name is Nespresso (by Nestle) and is pretty legit. When I say pretty, I mean really. Google it.
So, anyway, my cousins have a newfound love for...skateboarding. It is the cutest thing ever. They have vans and nikes (sweet kicks, right?) and today Matthew wore a flannel shirt. Mini hipster & I am LOVING it. Bainbridge has a skate park, so I drove them to it twice yesterday and once today. A skate park looks like a really large, artistically designed, unfilled pool with grafitti all over it (and plenty of inappropriate things on there, mind you). Call me old fashioned, but I prefer my 11 year olds clueless. Don't even start me on being 8 and 9 and knowing curse words or anything remotely profane besides "butt." But (haha) I am definitely old fashioned because all of the above is true for my sweet sweet baby cousins. At least they are aware of the difference between appropriate and inappropriate. They also know that smoking kills. We discussed it loudly next to a group of teenage boys who pulled out their smokes for a nicotine break in between skateboarding sessions. I doubt they were even legal - they looked 16. There were a couple of adorable sightings at the skate park, though. A skater dad! I mean, he was like 45 and still a complete skater. Too cool. Also, one kid was watching my cousins in a kind of "aw that's adorable" way and ended up volunteering to teach them a few moves. What a doll!
So, we went to the skate park again today. Then, we played a few games of tag, which I enjoyed for ONLY the first 5 minutes because I was reminded how slow I am in comparison to 4 boys. Not cool. I did catch a couple of them, but then I started panting like a crazed person and ended up going inside during the middle of a pursuit for water. Lame, I know.
Did some reading, when I could. The weather was cold again this morning, but the sun came out (as it did yesterday) around noon. Then, it hit a solid 70 degrees and was perfect.
Attended mass, and my uncle sang in the choir. It was beautiful! I love the classically Latin hymns. Gosh, I cannot wait to attend mass in the Vatican someday.
I'm now wonderfully full with gourmet burgers and vanilla bean ice cream with peaches & toasted pecans. Mmm mm good.
So, anyway, my cousins have a newfound love for...skateboarding. It is the cutest thing ever. They have vans and nikes (sweet kicks, right?) and today Matthew wore a flannel shirt. Mini hipster & I am LOVING it. Bainbridge has a skate park, so I drove them to it twice yesterday and once today. A skate park looks like a really large, artistically designed, unfilled pool with grafitti all over it (and plenty of inappropriate things on there, mind you). Call me old fashioned, but I prefer my 11 year olds clueless. Don't even start me on being 8 and 9 and knowing curse words or anything remotely profane besides "butt." But (haha) I am definitely old fashioned because all of the above is true for my sweet sweet baby cousins. At least they are aware of the difference between appropriate and inappropriate. They also know that smoking kills. We discussed it loudly next to a group of teenage boys who pulled out their smokes for a nicotine break in between skateboarding sessions. I doubt they were even legal - they looked 16. There were a couple of adorable sightings at the skate park, though. A skater dad! I mean, he was like 45 and still a complete skater. Too cool. Also, one kid was watching my cousins in a kind of "aw that's adorable" way and ended up volunteering to teach them a few moves. What a doll!
So, we went to the skate park again today. Then, we played a few games of tag, which I enjoyed for ONLY the first 5 minutes because I was reminded how slow I am in comparison to 4 boys. Not cool. I did catch a couple of them, but then I started panting like a crazed person and ended up going inside during the middle of a pursuit for water. Lame, I know.
Did some reading, when I could. The weather was cold again this morning, but the sun came out (as it did yesterday) around noon. Then, it hit a solid 70 degrees and was perfect.
Attended mass, and my uncle sang in the choir. It was beautiful! I love the classically Latin hymns. Gosh, I cannot wait to attend mass in the Vatican someday.
I'm now wonderfully full with gourmet burgers and vanilla bean ice cream with peaches & toasted pecans. Mmm mm good.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Seattle: Day 1
After 1 full day at the airport (Wednesday) and a day at home to recup (Thursday), I finally made it to Seattle. Lord, it was a miracle too, and probably only because I used a high priority status.
Anyway, it feels good to be back! It also feels like winter. I am currently wearing leggings, athletic shorts, a tshirt, and a northface while typing this because I am still cold from being outside. I went to my cousin's soccer game at 9 this morning!! Can't believe I woke up for that. But I also enjoyed some fresh baked goods and a cappuccino (sp?) courtesy of my Aunt. Seeing him play soccer makes me wish I had. Especially after the world cup. But I can't complain because I basically did everything else possible as a kid. Piano, tennis, softball, dance, guitar, violin, art... Soccer is such a great sport, though. I think my parents stayed away from getting me involved because it screwed up my aunt's knee when she was younger. Who knows.
I'm in Seattle because my maternal aunt, her husband, and her three adorable boys live here. We try to make a trip once a year because it's so far away, and the boys are really super adorable. Now they are 8, 10, and 11, so they are no longer "cute" because I'm not allowed to call them that. But I do anyway. I'm not actually IN Seattle, though. I'm 45 minutes away, by ferry boat, on Bainbridge Island. My descriptions won't do this place justice, but I'll try. Basically, it is green everywhere and home to mom and pop bakeries, restaurants, and stores. Everyone is classy and there are a ton of Europeans. Virtually every family has an au pair. (My cousins have a French au pair & she is ADORABLE).
Today is a lazy family day. Don't you love those? My cousins have a newfound interest in skateboarding that is accompanied by scrapes and torn up shoes, not to mention my anxiety. But, I enjoy watched them "olly". I have no idea how to spell that. Yesterday, we played hide-and-seek around the house. I love being a kid. We're scheduled for a bbq later, which may or may not feature fish that my uncle and cousins caught last week in the Pacific. Mom and I may or may not venture intot Seattle...it is the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, after all :). The sun is starting to peek through the clouds. This is good news because it means WARMTH! You can take the Southerner out of the South, but you can't take the South out of the Southerner.
That's it for now. More adventures to come!
Anyway, it feels good to be back! It also feels like winter. I am currently wearing leggings, athletic shorts, a tshirt, and a northface while typing this because I am still cold from being outside. I went to my cousin's soccer game at 9 this morning!! Can't believe I woke up for that. But I also enjoyed some fresh baked goods and a cappuccino (sp?) courtesy of my Aunt. Seeing him play soccer makes me wish I had. Especially after the world cup. But I can't complain because I basically did everything else possible as a kid. Piano, tennis, softball, dance, guitar, violin, art... Soccer is such a great sport, though. I think my parents stayed away from getting me involved because it screwed up my aunt's knee when she was younger. Who knows.
I'm in Seattle because my maternal aunt, her husband, and her three adorable boys live here. We try to make a trip once a year because it's so far away, and the boys are really super adorable. Now they are 8, 10, and 11, so they are no longer "cute" because I'm not allowed to call them that. But I do anyway. I'm not actually IN Seattle, though. I'm 45 minutes away, by ferry boat, on Bainbridge Island. My descriptions won't do this place justice, but I'll try. Basically, it is green everywhere and home to mom and pop bakeries, restaurants, and stores. Everyone is classy and there are a ton of Europeans. Virtually every family has an au pair. (My cousins have a French au pair & she is ADORABLE).
Today is a lazy family day. Don't you love those? My cousins have a newfound interest in skateboarding that is accompanied by scrapes and torn up shoes, not to mention my anxiety. But, I enjoy watched them "olly". I have no idea how to spell that. Yesterday, we played hide-and-seek around the house. I love being a kid. We're scheduled for a bbq later, which may or may not feature fish that my uncle and cousins caught last week in the Pacific. Mom and I may or may not venture intot Seattle...it is the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, after all :). The sun is starting to peek through the clouds. This is good news because it means WARMTH! You can take the Southerner out of the South, but you can't take the South out of the Southerner.
That's it for now. More adventures to come!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Drink Coffee. Do good.
I wouldn't call myself a coffee addict - I can survive without it, though it does make my day run a little more smoothly && I rather enjoy a cup every morning, especially during the school year. However, I am definitely a coffee advocate/lover. So, when Angela wanted to go to this cute coffee house in Roswell, I was all for it. Okay. Stop. Rewind. I am totally a coffee addict.
The inside is cozy && adorable. And what's better is that the proceeds of the café go to communities in Rwanda. AKA I want you to check this place out. For you coffee lovers, it is DELISH. I ordered a french press small, which was about $2.50, and it was enough coffee for 3 full cups. Work it.
Name: Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee
http://www.drinkcoffeedogood.com/
I bought a bumper sticker for my car :) So, be on the lookout for it next time you see my mean green SUV.
Plans for the day include cozying up with my novel and dogs and maybe venturing off to Old Navy for some shorts. I'm running low. Oh and apparently I'm going to Maine tomorrow?
The inside is cozy && adorable. And what's better is that the proceeds of the café go to communities in Rwanda. AKA I want you to check this place out. For you coffee lovers, it is DELISH. I ordered a french press small, which was about $2.50, and it was enough coffee for 3 full cups. Work it.
Name: Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee
http://www.drinkcoffeedogood.com/
I bought a bumper sticker for my car :) So, be on the lookout for it next time you see my mean green SUV.
Plans for the day include cozying up with my novel and dogs and maybe venturing off to Old Navy for some shorts. I'm running low. Oh and apparently I'm going to Maine tomorrow?
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Land of the Free, Home of the Brave
I spent the weekend of the 4th in the beautiful, historic city of Savannah, Georgia.
I went with 3 of my girls, and we stayed at the Inn at Ellis Square, a nice hotel right in the middle of historic district. (I definitely recommend it). We arrived on the 2nd and spent the day getting acquainted with the city. I've been once before, probably 8 or 9 years ago, so my memories of Savannah were quite blurry. But the Spanish moss, the cobblestone streets, the roudy drunkards on River street, and the southern twang in every "how are you today?" made me realize why I loved Savannah so much.
Day 1: Sightseeing & ghost touring.
We walked around Savannah, staying near the Inn and Historic District. Everyone is SO nice in Savannah! Really love that Southern Hospitality. One of the traits that allows me to pride myself in having been born and raised in the South. We ate in a Pub on River St. where I had some Deep fried grouper and fries. Mmm :) There were some drunk guys next to us, so that kept things interesting. Fourth of July weekend meant a lot of drunk people at all hours of the day. It's five o'clock somewhere...
There's definitely something eerie about going on a ghost tour in a city that is built on its dead. If you have never heard this before, I will elaborate. Savannah was originally planned on 4 squares, so naturally when people died, they were buried outside of these 4 squares. But since the city became a popular destination and port, it expanded...on top of the cemeteries. As a result, ghosts run amok. If you believe in that sort of thing ;)
I'm winking as if I don't, but I definitely do. It freaks the heck out of me. I do think it's really cool at the same time, and most of the "horror" ghost stories are kind of lessons in karma. Don't piss people off in this life, or the real crazies will come back and do something to you after their dead. So, be nice to everyone. Pretty good thing to live by, eh?
We met 3 nice marines on the tour. Very timely, considering we were there for Independence Day. They were stationed in NC, so they obviously weren't dodging bullets on a daily basis, but a couple of them had been in Iraq for 13 months stay. Incredible. Fighting for your country is a concept beyond the majority of us. Yes, It's a last resort for a lot of people, but it doesn't change the fact that it is remarkably selfless and brave, and the rest of us sit around sipping on Starbucks or picking up bananas at Publix. I guess that's the folly of it all. I never know what to say to soldiers, though, especially since they are all around my age now. I want to say "Thank you for serving us." but it seems as lame as saying "Thank you come again." And it's kind of awkward. It shouldn't be, but it is. Especially if they are in uniform because then the fact they are fighting for you is as blatant as the fact they are human beings. So, I ended up parting with a "Good luck, guys." I think there was an understanding there.
Note: If you ever get the chance, purchase a caramel chocolate dipped apple from the Savannah Candy Factory. Best $6 I ever spent.
Day 2: Beach...or Not.
We woke up bright and early on Saturday, expecting a full day of lazing and tanning (well, just me) on Tybee Island. But the beach had a different idea. The wind speeds seemed telling of a tropical storm and the lashing of sands on our bathing suit clad bodies had us on and off of Tybee Island within an hour and a half.
The pool at the Inn was a nice refuge (and way to wash off the sand, which managed to stay with us for the remainder of the trip) and we met a nice Scandinavian family there.
After swimming, we took showers and long naps, which didn't thrill 2/4 of our party. If you know me, you know that I was one of the ones sleeping. And happy. Then, we went on a long walk in search of Mrs.Wilks' Boarding House, which is known for its Southern food, and I had been craving some good ole Southern cooking the entire trip. But we got there only to see it was closed, and we ended up eating at Mellow Mushroom. Mellow never disappoints. The nice part of this, though, was that it was in the more residential part of the city and absolutely beautiful. I would love to live in one of those houses. We pretty much gave the stink eye to anyone who came out of a house, appearing to be a resident. After eating, we went to River St., where the entertainment is always 100%. Whether it's eating, people watching, shopping, I am never bored there.
Day 3: Red, White, and Blue
It was surreal to be in Savannah for the fourth of July because that city was there in 1776. We stuck around River St. for most of the day. Entertainment was at it's PEAK. There was a radio station broadcasting from the pavillion, and a bunch of tents set up in a festival - fashion. The fireworks were beautiful, but probably would have been better if people were more courteous and hadn't stood up in front of the families & groups of people (including us) who had laid out blankets hours in advance to reserve a spot. People these days.
I'm so proud to be a GA girl
I went with 3 of my girls, and we stayed at the Inn at Ellis Square, a nice hotel right in the middle of historic district. (I definitely recommend it). We arrived on the 2nd and spent the day getting acquainted with the city. I've been once before, probably 8 or 9 years ago, so my memories of Savannah were quite blurry. But the Spanish moss, the cobblestone streets, the roudy drunkards on River street, and the southern twang in every "how are you today?" made me realize why I loved Savannah so much.
Day 1: Sightseeing & ghost touring.
We walked around Savannah, staying near the Inn and Historic District. Everyone is SO nice in Savannah! Really love that Southern Hospitality. One of the traits that allows me to pride myself in having been born and raised in the South. We ate in a Pub on River St. where I had some Deep fried grouper and fries. Mmm :) There were some drunk guys next to us, so that kept things interesting. Fourth of July weekend meant a lot of drunk people at all hours of the day. It's five o'clock somewhere...
There's definitely something eerie about going on a ghost tour in a city that is built on its dead. If you have never heard this before, I will elaborate. Savannah was originally planned on 4 squares, so naturally when people died, they were buried outside of these 4 squares. But since the city became a popular destination and port, it expanded...on top of the cemeteries. As a result, ghosts run amok. If you believe in that sort of thing ;)
I'm winking as if I don't, but I definitely do. It freaks the heck out of me. I do think it's really cool at the same time, and most of the "horror" ghost stories are kind of lessons in karma. Don't piss people off in this life, or the real crazies will come back and do something to you after their dead. So, be nice to everyone. Pretty good thing to live by, eh?
We met 3 nice marines on the tour. Very timely, considering we were there for Independence Day. They were stationed in NC, so they obviously weren't dodging bullets on a daily basis, but a couple of them had been in Iraq for 13 months stay. Incredible. Fighting for your country is a concept beyond the majority of us. Yes, It's a last resort for a lot of people, but it doesn't change the fact that it is remarkably selfless and brave, and the rest of us sit around sipping on Starbucks or picking up bananas at Publix. I guess that's the folly of it all. I never know what to say to soldiers, though, especially since they are all around my age now. I want to say "Thank you for serving us." but it seems as lame as saying "Thank you come again." And it's kind of awkward. It shouldn't be, but it is. Especially if they are in uniform because then the fact they are fighting for you is as blatant as the fact they are human beings. So, I ended up parting with a "Good luck, guys." I think there was an understanding there.
Note: If you ever get the chance, purchase a caramel chocolate dipped apple from the Savannah Candy Factory. Best $6 I ever spent.
Day 2: Beach...or Not.
We woke up bright and early on Saturday, expecting a full day of lazing and tanning (well, just me) on Tybee Island. But the beach had a different idea. The wind speeds seemed telling of a tropical storm and the lashing of sands on our bathing suit clad bodies had us on and off of Tybee Island within an hour and a half.
The pool at the Inn was a nice refuge (and way to wash off the sand, which managed to stay with us for the remainder of the trip) and we met a nice Scandinavian family there.
After swimming, we took showers and long naps, which didn't thrill 2/4 of our party. If you know me, you know that I was one of the ones sleeping. And happy. Then, we went on a long walk in search of Mrs.Wilks' Boarding House, which is known for its Southern food, and I had been craving some good ole Southern cooking the entire trip. But we got there only to see it was closed, and we ended up eating at Mellow Mushroom. Mellow never disappoints. The nice part of this, though, was that it was in the more residential part of the city and absolutely beautiful. I would love to live in one of those houses. We pretty much gave the stink eye to anyone who came out of a house, appearing to be a resident. After eating, we went to River St., where the entertainment is always 100%. Whether it's eating, people watching, shopping, I am never bored there.
Day 3: Red, White, and Blue
It was surreal to be in Savannah for the fourth of July because that city was there in 1776. We stuck around River St. for most of the day. Entertainment was at it's PEAK. There was a radio station broadcasting from the pavillion, and a bunch of tents set up in a festival - fashion. The fireworks were beautiful, but probably would have been better if people were more courteous and hadn't stood up in front of the families & groups of people (including us) who had laid out blankets hours in advance to reserve a spot. People these days.
I'm so proud to be a GA girl
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