Day 19 Savannah to Charleston

Day 19 Savannah to Charleston

The blasted Friday night revellers didn’t stop making noise until 2 am and then there was the odd, but equally unknown noises until 4 am. So I was very tired having to get up at 6.

Breakfast by myself, bag down at 7:10, checked out and taxi exactly at 7:30. Cost $11.20 and took ten minutes because some of the roads were blocked with the Veteran’s parade today. Checked in my luggage- free. Sat and sewed for a while to stay awake.

The passengers were called to train 90 at 8:10. The three huge steps up would be a challenge for a fit person. Thankfully no heavy bag to lug up.

Travelling business class by Amtrak train to Charleston cost $38 US. No airport queues. No security checks. Free bag under 50 lbs. Free tea/ coffee/ soda (and chips I think) And you get to see the country. Heaps of leg room, a foot rest and space around you. Café next carriage and free Wi-Fi. However filthy dirty windows not exactly conducive to taking photos

Mile after mile after mile of swampy country, growing mostly cypress pines, interspersed with rivers and tiny little “towns”. Some very impoverished homes The trip was over at 10 am. Bag delivered to me at the baggage claim. Mine was the only one. Taxi across the road.

The taxi driver was very nice and gave me some tips on places to see. What he failed to say was that Charleston was absolutely packed. Apparently three cruise boats a week pull up. The hotel accepted my bags because my room was not ready- any wonder at 10:30 am. Lovely concierge. I grabbed what I would need for a short walk and off I set reading the map. 

First impressions were that the historic buildings were not as in as good condition as in Savannah. Not the same lovely overhanging trees or parks. Every footpath was full to overflowing and this is what it is like apparently until January when it is slightly less frenetic.

I was really lucky to find St Matthew’s Lutheran church open and a lovely docent. Beautiful stain glass windows. The blue was phenomenal. This church had to be restored after burning down in 1965. Luckily the altar windows were saved.

I found a café “Black Bean Co” with only a small queue for lunch that had GF options.I walked for a bit more until not only my legs were tired, so was my whole body. The lack of quality sleep last night had drained my reserves. Shower and unpacked. I went down to the desk to book a tour, which has to be on Monday. 

I went to the hotel bar for happy hour with cheese. (Ted refused to budge) I took my own crackers and basically had a few grapes and my own crackers with a ginger ale. Free drinks and the owner was doing the rounds and chatting to groups. I asked her about any GF café/ restaurants. She gave me a list. However from listening to her previous conversations, the odds of finding anything not requiring a month’s reservation at a restaurant are slim. My next plan was to find some food.

I asked the trainee doorman. He looked like he didn’t frequent restaurants and he suggested  King St. Actually his directions were hopeless but I just walked and eventually found a Lebanese restaurant called “Leyla”. Of course you needed a booking, but they weren’t full at 5:30, so I ordered the lentil soup. Delicious. A meal for under $10. I made a booking for tomorrow night- I want that Australian lamb I saw on the menu. I was out of there in 20 minutes and very happy. Walked back to the hotel. It was so cold even with my thermal pants on. The people at the desk said it was unseasonably cold.

Usual diary and downloading. But it was a bit scary there a while back when someone tried to open my door. Then they knocked but when I asked who it was, they didn’t answer. Once I’m in my room the door is locked and bolted. Got news tonight that Bob Hunter died. I feel so sorry for Jeanie.