A Memorable Journey Through Charleston, South Carolina

The speaker shares a personal tip about looking one's fingers in the eye as a way to say goodbye, suggesting that lifting them from the heart can lead to a brand new start, emphasizing the positive outlook on life.

The speaker notes a fire emergency and mentions finding a parking spot before heading to a carriage ride. They observe a flea market and reflect on the hard work of individuals from Ohio, who seem to transition into semi-retirement jobs pulling carriages after years of labor.

The speaker discusses a Native American expression, 'chacora,' meaning 'healing breeze,' which is felt as a breeze that helps keep bug numbers down. They also mention the historical significance of the area, noting that they moved to the peninsula around 1680 and highlight Henry's restaurant as the oldest active restaurant in Charleston and South Carolina, which once operated as a speakeasy.

The speaker describes the Charleston Single Home, pointing out a privacy door that opens into a piazza designed to catch breezes from the river. They explain the significance of red doors, believed to symbolize a passage through a spiritual threshold, and mention the city's nickname, 'the Holy City,' derived from the sight of church steeples by sailors entering the harbor.

The speaker explains the use of ship ballast rock and cobblestones in the area, and identifies climbing fig as a plant in the vicinity. They also discuss the practical use of flower boxes in the past, which helped mask the unpleasant smells of unclean streets. The speaker highlights the Galliard Fine Arts Center as a venue for plays and performances, and shares the historical significance of pineapples as a symbol of hospitality, noting how ship captains would display them to signal their availability for visitors.

After their carriage ride, the speaker introduces their horse, named Greg, and expresses gratitude for the experience. They then discuss their plans to find a place to eat, mentioning a craving for southern comfort food, specifically fried chicken and chicken and dumplings, while acknowledging the heat outside.

The speaker shares that they have arrived at their next hotel and found a restaurant called Virginia's on Kings, which is conveniently located near their accommodation. They mention being on level 4 of the hotel and plan to drop off their belongings before walking to the restaurant, reflecting on the pleasantness of their previous hotel room and the cooler location of the current one.

The speakers express their excitement about their end unit hotel room, noting its spaciousness and the presence of more windows. They appreciate the view of Charleston and the amenities, including a bathroom with a tub, which one of them looks forward to using. They feel content in the room, suggesting they could spend their entire stay there happily.

The speakers mention the Spoleto Festival, an arts festival taking place from May 23rd to June 8th, highlighting the cultural events happening in Charleston during their visit.

While reviewing the menu for brunch, the speakers are overwhelmed by the options. They decide on fried okra as an appetizer and Cinnabon for dessert, while also considering sharing a chicken dish. They note the large portion sizes typical in Southern dining, sharing a single plate for their meal.

The speakers enjoy their meal, which includes cornbread, pickled fried okra, and a shared plate of chicken with house gravy. They also indulge in peach cobbler and chocolate cake, comparing the latter to the cake from 'Matilda.' They express their delight in the warm, crispy peaches and the overall quality of the Southern food, making a point to share their experience with their parents who also enjoy country food.

After their meal, the speakers plan to return to their hotel room to relax for a couple of hours before heading out for a ghost tour in the evening, indicating a mix of leisure and adventure in their itinerary.

The ghost tour begins, and the speakers learn about a historic hotel known for its hauntings, with claims of at least 17 spirits residing there. They also visit a Unitarian graveyard where they hear the story of Edgar Allan Poe's girlfriend, Annabelle Lee, who died from malaria. The tale includes a local legend that reading Poe's poem about her in the graveyard may allow one to see her spirit searching for him, which gives them chills.

The speaker expresses excitement about a tour they just completed, mentioning they pinned a location on their map to explore further when it opens the next day. They reflect on the enjoyable experience of the tour, which included storytelling about tragic deaths, and note the acoustics of the church venue where they performed in a cover band called Duvet.

After the tour, the speaker and their companion, James, are picked up by Graham, their bike taxi, to return to their hotel. They plan to enjoy chocolate cake and watch 'Criminal Minds Evolution,' a new version of the series they used to watch years ago, which features many of the same characters after a three-year hiatus due to COVID.

Upon returning to their hotel, the speaker comments on the lively atmosphere outside, comparing Charleston to Nashville and New Orleans. They appreciate Charleston's cleanliness, noting it is tidier than Nashville and Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The speaker describes the local fashion as a blend of Southern antebellum style, with people dressed in bright colors and elegant dresses, reminiscent of Nashville's cowgirl aesthetic.

The speaker and James taste chocolate cake, comparing it to a memorable cake they had in Milos. While they agree the cake is good, they find it a bit dry and not as exceptional as the one from Milos, which they describe as translucent and unforgettable. They conclude that once you've had the Milos chocolate cake, other cakes pale in comparison.

As they prepare to enjoy their cake and watch their show, the speaker mentions plans for the next day, which include visiting a Unitarian graveyard. They also discuss James's desire to visit Isabella Beach, although the details are a bit unclear. The speaker humorously reflects on the simplicity of adult life and expresses excitement for breakfast at their hotel the following morning.

The speaker mentions that they did not have breakfast at the last place and plans to visit a park with Devin. They are preparing for their flight home the next day, which is scheduled for a late night arrival at around 10 p.m. They intend to spend their day at the airport and will share any additional plans that come to mind.

The speaker greets the morning and expresses a sense of grogginess, indicating they are not fully awake and have not yet done their makeup. They plan to check out breakfast before packing up their belongings.

The speaker describes a visit to the Unitarian Church graveyard, explaining the distinction between a graveyard (attached to a church) and a cemetery (not attached). They mention learning about Annabelle Lee, the love interest of Edgar Allan Poe, who is buried there, and express appreciation for the beauty of the gardens.

The speaker shares insights about Unitarian beliefs, particularly the idea of allowing nature to grow wild and free in their gardens, which they refer to as the 'rising spirit.' They also comment on the hand-carved ceiling and stained-glass windows of the church, noting that some windows are original from 1852 and have never been touched.

The speaker stops for coffee at Bitty Bo's, a shop founded by a mother who aimed to provide employment for her special needs children. They highlight the kindness of the staff, who are all special needs individuals, and mention that Bitty Bo's has expanded to multiple locations across the country. The speaker expresses a desire to support the business due to its positive impact on the community.

James shares his personal connection to the special needs community, explaining that he worked with special needs individuals after high school, helping them transition from high school to college. The speaker notes the presence of job coaches at Bitty Bo's, indicating a supportive environment for the employees.

The speaker discusses a parking ticket issue at Palmetto Parking, where he has proof of payment that matches his license plate. Despite emailing for resolution, he hasn't received a response and plans to visit the location to ensure no errors affect him later.

After resolving the parking issue, the speaker and James visit Alvin Ford's Sandwich Shop before heading to Pizza Modo Mio, which is renowned for having the sixth best cheese pizza in the world. They order two slices for a total of $8.45, approximately $4 per slice, and express excitement about the pizza's quality and awards.

Upon tasting the pizza, the speaker rates it an eight out of ten, appreciating the crust and pepperoni coverage, although he prefers thicker crusts typical of Chicago-style pizza. He notes the thinness of the New York-style pizza and mentions his fondness for dipping pizza in ranch dressing, suggesting it could enhance the experience.

The speaker and James arrive at the airport, aiming to check in by 3:15 PM, just an hour before their boarding time. They realize they are running late, needing to drop off the rental car, check their luggage, and go through security.

The speaker notes that they haven't yet returned their rental car, highlighting the quick pace of their travel experience, as the check-out process took only five minutes. They express relief that all their bags cleared security without issues, including a pomegranate oil they brought from Turkey, which they realized was over four ounces.

During their nearly three-hour layover, the speaker mentions enjoying a caramel apple while James opts for a turtle and a pecan cluster. They are currently in a Wendy's cafeteria area, contemplating dinner options, with the speaker expressing a desire for a spicy chicken sandwich.

The speaker announces that they are on their final flight, arriving in Atlanta and heading home to Florida. They comment on the humidity in Florida, joking that it contributes to great skin, and express excitement about returning to their Jeep, specifically praising the Gladiator model.

After arriving home around 10 PM, the speaker reflects on their need for 'wind-down time' in front of the TV. They express sadness over losing a Sultanite necklace during their travels, sharing a philosophical thought about attachment to material possessions and the emotional toll of losing them.

The speaker shares a personal health update regarding their blood pressure issues, which they discovered are related to a straightened neck spine from an emergency C-section at age 27. They are working with a chiropractor to rebuild the natural curve of their spine and have purchased a neck support pillow and other items from Amazon, which they describe as affordable and not sponsored.

The next morning, the speaker is back in Florida and excitedly heads to meet friends for lunch at the beach. They stop at Publix to grab a sandwich and navigate to Eastern Lake, expressing familiarity with the area despite it being a long time since their last visit.

The speaker repeatedly expresses a strong intention to head over to a specific location, emphasizing their determination and urgency. This insistence on going over there is reiterated multiple times, suggesting a sense of purpose or necessity in their actions.

The speaker repeatedly expresses the intention to 'head over there,' indicating a strong desire or urgency to move to a specific location. This phrase is reiterated multiple times, suggesting a sense of determination or perhaps impatience, as the speaker emphasizes their intent to leave.