I only have three months to enjoy myself before I go back to good ole' college life and to kick it off, I spent my first two weeks with the family down in South Carolina-a place with a deep history and rich southern charm. At first, the idea didn't seem like much, but once I got there, I could see why so many people love the state and travel there throughout the year to have fun and enjoy themselves.
First, we stopped in Myrtle Beach which was just as beautiful and exciting as expected! It couldn't have been a better time to visit the beach either-it was not too crowded, nor was it lonely (If you don't like big crowds, early May or June is the best time to go to top tourist spots in the U.S.). Everyday we went to the beach early in the morning and left late afternoon and I enjoyed every minute of it. My favorite part was the long walks along the beach, especially in the early morning as the sun rose! Our days consisted of paradisal activities - playing a little frisbee and volleyball, napping, and picnicking for lunchtime. It also happened to be Bikefest that weekend which added to the excitement. People from all around the country came down to the beach for the event to ride and show off their bikes. But these weren't just any bikes - bikers turn their motorcycles into moving works of art. Lights, detailing and artistic vision come to life on these bikes, turning them into some of the finest (and most expensive) out there! Bikefest was a very popular event that added to the excitement already at the beach and made our walks down to the beach all the more interesting - more people were out and about, shops were buzzing, and everyone seemed to be having a good time which made the atmosphere even more fun and enjoyable!
The avenue entrance to the plantation lined with Oak trees.
Slave cabins at the plantation we visited.
After spending the week at the beach, we moseyed on down to Charleston - a city at the center of it all from the revolutionary war to the civil war, Charleston was an important city during wars and the development of the US. There is so much to do in Charleston, that whenever you visit, it is best to spend at least five days in order to experience it all. A wide variety of tours such as african-american and slavery tours, city tours, revolutionary war tours, etc. are available but consume a considerable amount of the day (so get plenty of sleep the night before and plan ahead!). We decided to go on two tours - one of the city and one of a plantation, both of which were great learning experiences. Tours4Fun (Click Here) offers great tours not only in the United States but around the world too!
Along with the tours, the food is an absolute must. The south is known for its soulful, rich cooking and is something everyone needs to experience at least once in their lifetime! Charleston is jam-packed with restaurants catering to various tastes, many of which are award winning, five star, or run by some of the best chefs and restauranteurs around. From southern style cooking, to ribs, to seafood, there is something for everyone! We ate a little bit of everything to satisfy our taste buds. On our first night, we went to Sticky Fingers, one of the best places for ribs in Charleston! We tried the rib sampler, which came with four types of ribs, each cooked differently. It. Was. Amazing. When the waiter brought the platter, I thought I saw a glimmer of heaven. Nevertheless, I couldn't leave you guessing so I tried my best to take a pic (I really couldn't wait to get my hands dirty so this was taken halfway through the meal...sorry!)!
From left: the cabbage and corn beef, bourbon salmon, and shecrab soup
Another night we ate at Tommy Condon's, an Irish pub best known for its Shecrab soup. This soup is a must in Charleston, since it has its own beach and easy access to fresh crabs (and other seafood). Trust me, it's delicious! We also tried the bourbon salmon with sides of cheese grits and sweet potato fries, and the corn beef and cabbage dish which were also excellent.
The South Carolina State Capital Building behind a monument dedicated to the Civil War in Columbia, South Carolina. This is also where the Confederate flag stood until it was taken down after the Charleston Nine shooting a year ago.
We did a lot of walking in Charleston and shopping as well. King Street and those surrounding it make up Charleston's main hub for all your shopping needs and resembles an outdoor mall making it fun and a great workout too! This was something I noticed about the city-they never failed to make use of the amazing weather. If there was a way to bring the indoors outside, it was done. There's also a beach! We spent much time in the Folly Beach area, and took in the beautiful view. Overall I think Charleston is the kind of city I would love to live in. There is so much to do and yet even though tourists are everywhere, the city still seems to have its secret spots that are only known and enjoyed by its residents.
Pictured are the lobbyists of South Carolina, named perfectly for waiting in the lobby of the capital building. In short, lobbyists are legislators or those affiliated with agencies who try to influence lawmakers.
The day finally came when we had to leave and I felt a little sad. I felt as though it all went by so fast! But we still had one more stop-Columbia, the capital. Columbia was very much like other state capitals in the US, but also had its own style that made it stand out. The main attraction was the state capital building (pictured above). took a tour and even got to see both the Senate and House of Representatives in session! We were very lucky because a representative was retiring and giving her goodbye speech in which she talked about Senator Clementa Pinckney, who was one of the Charleston nine-nine church members tragically shot during a Bible study. It was close to the one year anniversary of the shooting and she gave a personal account of what a kind man he was. It was sad to hear about but also a privilege, since the speech was not televised. After that we went for a walk in the Five Points area, another outdoor shopping center spread out over five streets. There we had a light dinner and spent the evening taking in the sights. Columbia is also home to the University of South Carolina which explained the young vibe that I enjoyed very much! Lots of young people were out dining, shopping and hanging out and many stores seemed to cater to the younger generation.
The retiring representative giving her last speech.
While I enjoyed visiting the different cities, nothing could compare to Charleston! I enjoyed every single minute of it and will definitely be going back! There seemed to be something for everyone - a beach, great shopping and cosmopolitan area, wonderful sunny weather, and history for days! It's one of those places I could see myself living in-it has everything. Overall going to South Carolina was one of my favorite family vacations. So if you are in the mood for a vacation but can't decide, visit South Carolina! It's truly a gem of the US.
Bye fans, until my next post!