I've been thinking about this for the past week or so, and I'd asked Michael just before we left Savannah what in the world we'd be chatting about on the Savannah section of Slowtalk, once we were home again.
Seems like we are still able to have delicious conversations about what happened, who was there, where the ghosts were, how Mindy is doing, what a fantastic job the OC did, how many photos were taken...lots to talk about, and for that I'm grateful. I'd be sorry as anything if this section of Slowtalk was silent and empty.
I miss that place, and I am surely making plans to return. I was not ready to come home at all, and would have loved another week there. That Jill...drat her, anyway...she's still there!
So, no particular reason for starting this topic, I was just sitting, thinking and it seemed like this was the right time to say...I wish I was still there with you! I wish...
"Savannah is a lovely pastel dream of tight cobbled streets. There are legendary scenes to rival any dreamed up by Tennessee Williams." ~ Rosemary Daniell Brenda
It was a wonderful time wasn't it...felt comfortable and familiar among new friends. I loved the ease in which Savannah welcomes visitors...to stroll, to eat, to breathe in the feel of times past. I'm so happy to have shared this memory with all of you. It is such a nice feeling to think of you as the big slowtrav family of friends, each so dear to my heart. Miss you. Barb Cabot
Posts: 281 | Location: Long Beach, California | Registered: 27 August 2007
I loved Savannah. What I found interesting was that every person we talked to there from the Realtor to the cabby, to the shopkeepers to the hotel staff were all natives. Born and raised in Savannah. Here in Naples I think I know maybe 5 people total in almost 11 years that were born and raised here.
Brenda's note (and some of the posts and blog entries elsewhere) made me realize you are all sharing one of the very pleasant and comforting experiences I've had as I traveled on choral performance tours over the past 10 years or so - the special experience of being in a new and unfamiliar place, but seeing familiar people at every turn. It does indeed add a dimension to the visit that you do not get as an independent traveller.
I would be interested in hearing from others who go on to travel to new places over the next several months - will you find it strange to be in a new place and realize you are NOT finding anyone you know there? It has happened to me more than once after a group trip, although with my introduction to the wonderful world of GTGs, I have found that even in new places I can connect with "old" friends.
The world-wide community of Slow Travel is a grand place to be!
Judy
Posts: 1578 | Location: Berkeley, CA | Registered: 22 March 2005
Brenda, your photo IS perfect, a true depiction of what it is like in Savannah. I can imagine myself sitting on that bench, "to go" cup in hand, air cast on my ankle , knowing that any minute a SlowTrav friend will walk by and I'll say "Hey" and they'll join me on the bench and we'll have a wonderful conversation.
Ohhhh, I'm so relieved! I thought I was the only looney-tunes that was feeling like I have lost a part of my heart!
Nancy, Thanks for your validation! Let's go, today! Another Red Caddy tour with Geoff would help, incredibly, right about now. That was the best, wasn't it?
Barb, You have such a delicious way with words, girl... thanks for letting us know that this was a memorable time for you, also. I miss you, too!
Ginger, Me, too! I also noticed that...must be because it is such a hard place to leave, you think? My cab driver from the airport, Wayne, was born and raised in Savannah, as was his boss, the owner of the company that he worked for. Jeff Hall, our Lunch With Jean special guest, is also a home town boy. Our Ghost Tour driver, Omer, was also from the area. Amazing to me, in a world where everyone's on the move, constantly.
Leslie, You really feel that Savannah is your refuge? How cool is that! I'm green with envy, Miss Leslie! Where do you stay and what do you love to do when you are there? What's your favorite restaurant and/or small cafe?
Judy, That's a very good point...it's more than possible that this trip to Savannah was made even more wonderful because of all of my beloved Slowtrav family who were there, around every corner, sitting in the cafes, and walking the streets and squares of Savannah. I'll let you know about the next trip or two...this is a very special community, you are so right!
Terry, Thanks so much! Have you had time yet to sit back and absorb this tremendous event that you were a part of creating? I'm still saying, "Holy cow! What an amazing organizing committee we have!" Really, Terry...really amazing.
Mindy, You make tears in my eyes with that description... Seems like something very special took place in that seductive city of Savannah. Bewitched? Goosed by a ghost? Whatever, it is quite an amazing thing, isn't it?
“The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation that you ever had.” ~ Unknown Brenda
You really feel that Savannah is your refuge? How cool is that! I'm green with envy, Miss Leslie! Where do you stay and what do you love to do when you are there? What's your favorite restaurant and/or small cafe?
Brenda,
Yes, that and Italy
We were fortunate to have been stationed in Savannah for four years when my husband Brent was an active-duty army officer. We still own the first house we ever bought there! It is on the south-side which is where many people live in Savannah since it is pretty much unaffordable to live in historic district unless you win the lottery
My favorite restaurants are : Bistro Savannah, a Scottish pub whose name escapes my at the moment, our favorite Greek restaurant on River Street, The Crab Shack, Sakura (for sushi), and many, many others. As you know, there is no lack of restaurants in Savannah.
Usually we stay at Staybridge Suites because we get a retired military rate which is excellent, but this time around we are looking at another vacation house rental when we go in late May/June. I have negotiated a discounted rate at the Mansion when we go in July since it is our 20th wedding anniversary
O.K. that's the scoop with me this Saturday morning.
Brenda, you are such a dear person so full of vitality and love of life. I thought YOU were part of the planning committee the way you organized the trolley ride and so many other tours and gave advice. You breathe alot of life and fun into any experience. I loved being with you on the Mercer House tour and the Pirate House talk with Jean and Jeff. For me there is a little invisible pink flower under your name! Love you and miss you mucho! Barb Cabot
Posts: 281 | Location: Long Beach, California | Registered: 27 August 2007
One thing I do know about this group, there is never anything that we don't talk about . Soon there will be other threads, other topics and maybe another gathering to plan for - the future is lovely that way. Savannah is perhaps behind us in one way, but I know that for many of us there really is a piece of Savannah in our hearts (and for me, since I managed to lose a sentimental piece of jewelry while walking one day, there really is a piece of me left in Savannah, but I'm not dwelling on that one any more).
Thank you, tho, for all the interesting threads you started for us about the charming Lady Savannah.
Nope, Jill, I don't feel any better at all... Still missing the feel of the humidity on my skin, the walk home through Forsythe Park in the evening, lunch at The Savannah Tea Room with you, hanging with my kid and having breakfast with him and late night talks about what happened that day.
When my kids were little, they used to lie across the foot of my bed and we'd talk til late. That's what we got to do in Savannah! It was priceless.
My daughter is married with 5 children, so there's never a time for her to spend an evening draped across my bed to talk til it is way too late. Michael's got his own life, his own relationship and his own home, so that never happens either.
SO, long story short, it was a gift from heaven to have him lollygagging across the foot of my bed every night, talking til after midnight. A huge treat for me, I tell ya. Felt a little bit like having him back again in my life like when he and his sister were little, rather than having him in spots here and there, when he can take time from his life for a visit with his mom. (deep tremulously-sighing graemlin needed here...)
I'm happy for you that you stayed longer, Jill! Enjoy your last night...
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same." ~ Flavia Brenda
Well, the party is officially over for me. I'm home and I have a travel hangover.
Due to mechanical difficulties in Atlanta, our flight into LAX was late and I missed my flight home to SLO. I had to spend the night in LA, which means I didn't make it to work today. With an unexpected day off work, I could be doing laundry, except I'm still waiting for my luggage. Which is pretty much par for the course for the SLO airport.
I close my eyes and picture Savannah. I smell her unique scent. I think about the amazing (and amazingly funny) people I met there. Lunch at the City Market listening to live music and enjoying the cool breeze. I WANT TO GO BACK. Sometime soon I will.
Posts: 214 | Location: Mississippi | Registered: 31 October 2004
How lovely, Leslie, Another precious time in Savannah, already! YUM! Here's a few chilled libations for you.
I'm thinking we should pick a time next spring to get together in Savannah again...just for anyone who wants to do that. The end of March would be good, the weather was lovely while I was there in March this year. The Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens will be on at the end of the month, the Savannah Music Festival will be running then...hmmmmm, let's see...can I manage that? Maybe, I can!
If there are enough of us, we could rent one of the larger houses. My Red Caddy guy, Geoff, owns several rentals and also has bought a few properties all in a row and plans to turn them into an inn. So, he may have something ready by then, who knows?
Dreamin, always dreamin'...
"There is a mystique about this city of the South, like a well-heeled lady wearing a sexy, saucy flouncy hat with a veil pulled down that partially hides her face, Savannah shows a few coy glimpses of her true self to the newcomer. Only after you've visited a few times will you finally get to know the lady herself. It's worth every single second of the wait." ~ Me! Brenda PS...Photo is of the wrought iron balcony on Alex Raskin Antiques, located right across the street from Mercer Williams House
I'm thinking we should pick a time next spring to get together in Savannah again...just for anyone who wants to do that. The end of March would be good, the weather was lovely while I was there in March this year. The Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens will be on at the end of the month, the Savannah Music Festival will be running then...hmmmmm, let's see...can I manage that? Maybe, I can!
Slow Travel Talk 
at the very end of May beginning of June and again in July for a weekend. 
, knowing that any minute a SlowTrav friend will walk by and I'll say "Hey" and they'll join me on the bench and we'll have a wonderful conversation. 
Here's a few chilled libations for you. 