Sunday 6 March 2016

Deep South

The main stopover on our southern odyssey was Savannah, Georgia.  Hannah's always wanted to visit here, probably something to do with the song, and the city did not disappoint.  They say that Washington DC has southern weather with northern hospitality, but down here it is all about the south.  Food is fried, the weather is humid, and everyone says hello.  "I just love the way y'all talk," we were told, around 100 times an hour, until I was ready to unleash some Anglo-Saxon that I'm sure doesn't get heard around these polite parts much.

The centre of Savannah is the historic district - a square mile of old buildings, cobbled streets, and tree-filled squares.  We looked around it in the only acceptable way: by horse and cart.  Our informative guide told us that Savannah was originally an English prison colony for people who couldn't work their way out of debtor's prison.  As usual (see: Australia) we sent our criminals to much nicer places than Britain, although when they arrived here it was probably swampier, with fewer bars and restaurants.

A lot of the tour focused on the civil war, which still seems to be a sore point, being only 150 years ago.  All the guide's descriptions were of "them" and "us", and we were encouraged to boo whenever buildings had housed Union soldiers (special ire was reserved for the mention of General Sherman).  Of course, the fact that Savannah was very much on the wrong side of the slavery debate was skimmed over, but then history is written by the tour guides.

After that we took a trip across the river.  A free water taxi takes you to the convention centre then up-river for a bit.  Neither were places that we wanted to go but hey, it was free!  By the time we got back we needed to jump in the car and rush for the state line.  "Goodbye peaches, hello beaches," said the sign as we entered Florida, but I'll tell y'all about that next time.


Hard-hearted Hannah (and Pete) on the banks of the Savannah.


They even got to sail a riverboat, albeit a grounded one.



Stopping for a caffeine fix at the interesting Coffee Fox.



Thoroughbreds, a foal, and one or two for the glue factory.



The streets of Savannah.


Water taxi.  Did I mention it was free?


Nautical family.


Because you've finally arrived!