Savannah

Emma and I's second stop in Georgia did not disappoint. I honestly feel like I'm still riding the high of exiting the interstate and seeing the drooping live oak-lined streets for the first time. Emma can attest, I might have screamed from excitement. I've definitely found my favorite tree.

I made Emma take this picture on our drive into the city.

We spent three days in the historic quarter of Savannah. When we arrived, the weather was rainy and gray which presented a perfectly eerie backdrop to our first activity: a ghost tour. The one we picked was called Boos & Booze (a haunted pub crawl) and it was amazing. Ashley, our guide, led us and a small group-- two older ladies from WI/MN (represent!), a few spring breakers from Atlanta and a couple from Florida-- around a few of the city's haunted squares and pubs. She was a hoot. So excited about her tour and loved talking about the research that went into it (which I'm a total nerd about).

I found my new favorite drink on that pub crawl: Chatham Artillery Punch. The story goes that after the revolutionary war, George Washington came to Savannah and gifted them two cannons from the Battle of Yorktown. Unfortunately, the city didn't have anything prepped to give in return. So they threw a bunch of booze and other good stuff in a barrel and made him the punch. Like revolutionary jungle juice. It was fantastic.

We learned some fun ghost stories and ended the tour with a round of key lime pie shots for everyone in our tour group. When the guide said it was the best drink there, I (partially jokingly) suggested that we all took one together and everyone was up for it. I love moments like that, connecting with people from all over in small, fun ways.

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The weather was beautiful for the rest of our time there. We spent the days walking and exploring the city. We ventured to the shores of the Atlantic at Tybee Island, Bonaventure Cemetery, enjoyed the greenery of the city parks and squares, walked treacherous historic steps up and down from River Street and did shopping around SCAD and the City Market. Emma even convinced me to try a raw oyster (her favorite food). I'm happy that I tried it, but I much preferred her other food suggestion: Byrd's cookies.

Left to right: The fountain at Forsyth park, the view in Bonaventure Cemetery, me before trying my oyster (if you look closely you can see the fear in my eyes).

On our last day in the city we went to Forsyth Park to do some art. The park was beautiful and it was a hot day-- the perfect set up for art in the park. Emma painted the fountain in the middle of the square. I journaled. As we walked towards the fountain one last time to snap a picture before heading home, a bubbly woman who was making palm roses offered to take our picture. Then she gave me a rose. She said, "it's yours even if you can't pay" and I didn't have any cash. Or a way to pay her otherwise. After a second I reached into my bag and got out Emma's painting. I said "how about art for art?" Her whole face lit up. It was such a magical moment for me. She was so excited. So happy to be there, connecting with people, sharing art-- just like me. After we parted ways, I looked back and saw her walking around the square showing people the painting she got. Emma was happy to see her art being shared. I couldn't stop smiling.

Emma let me keep the palm rose. After that whole interaction she laughed and said "you really are an anthropologist."

I am. I love people. And I loved Savannah too.

Me and Emma through the lens of the palm rose artist & her work.