We have seen quite a bit of Charleston - it's a nice town. On Monday, our first day here, we were approached by someone who said we should sit in on a time share presentation (yeah yeah yeah, we've all heard about those) - and if we did, we could get up to $100 in cash and/or tour tickets and/or restaurant coupons. So what the heck - for $100 plus a Charleston horse and buggy tour, why not? So we sat through the presentation which was not bad at all - a really friendly and charming woman who was so engrossed in our sailing stories, she almost forgot what we were there for - and after chatting for an hour or so about sailing and traveling and South Africa, she rushed through in half an hour what should have taken 90 minutes - but alas, no sale. Even she could see that with our current lifestyle, we weren't the right candidates for a "vacation club". As we walked out the door with our prizes clutched in our sweaty paws, someone else approached us and said would we like to sit in on a 45 minute travel wholesaler presentation (they stressed that they were NOT time share) ? In return, we could get $75 in cash plus a lunch coupon for $25, so what the heck. And it was great! We went to Hyman's Seafood Restaurant afterwards which had good calamari, but everything else was do deeply fried that P and I felt sick afterwards. I suppose we don't often eat deep fried food and we felt stodgy and lethargic and unhealthy afterwards - so that's the end of fried foods. So on Friday - yes, you've guessed it - another presentation - this time $100 in cash - don't even remember what it's for. But who cares.
We had a lovely Carriage Tour around Charleston this afternoon. Our two new friends, Becky and Marty (Marty's the horse). Becky spoke really fast and with such a thick accent that we only understood 1/3rd of what she was saying - a real shame, because I'm sure it was all very interesting.
What incredible homes!
Some of the homes are quite astonishing.
This reminded me of the African markets we've seen in South Africa and Kenya.
On Monday, I was desperate for a milkshake - we asked a couple of people who said the only place in town was Haagen Dasz - so we went along, had an outrageously overpriced milkshake, served by a semi-rude, disinterested student - only to find out much later on that on Meeting Street, there was a Maggie Moo's - the BEST ice cream and milkshakes around for MILES - and the owner was so fabulous - I fell in love with him at first sight (well, when he offered me numerous tastes of the different flavours) - so everyone - TAKE NOTE: If you're in Charleston and you want an ice cream or a milkshake, AVOID Haagen Dasz and go for Maggie Moos - tell him Jo Jo sent you and he'll give you 10% off everything AND hold an interesting, educated and intelligent conversation with you.
We left on Friday for Beaufort (they pronounce it Boofort), South Carolina
Some of the homes are quite astonishing.
