Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, a book made movie,
leaves me in a profound need to go see this place.
Not just any place, or any numerous city wonders of Georgia - such as Atlanta. But a very special town, specific to the nature of the author's journey. Maybe that journey is what compelled me to make my own to Savannah.
I shouldn't of been so pressed with leave from work and the time chosen. Mid winter, yet that in itself lead to the nature of appeal left frozen in my mind from the pages I had read. Was it ideally the way the author had described? Yet his fond description was that of summer. What did I expect to find?
It was only a brief getaway, but worth it never the less. A mini vacation... I tend to do those quite often. Before I ventured, I dreamed of 2 children running around the hallways in a candle lit plantation house. Strange, as if some part of Savannah was reaching out to me before I arrived.
When I did arrive, I found myself in the midst of winter, with not as much festivities or occasions to attend. Although, tourism knows no halt based on just weather. I booked a cozy bed and breakfast down one of the many historic streets that ran rampid to and fro. I missed every single breakfast, as I chose to utilize my vacation for some long overdue sleeping in.
All throughout the town one can find statues, memoirs of personal and historical events, plaques, memorials, graveyards. As a matter of fact, half of the houses and streets in use today are actually built over the remains of many lost souls... as the majority of Savannah is a graveyard in itself. Just happens the population ran out of room to build, so they built on top of the old sacred grounds. Interesting.
The architecture is truly amazing from this time frame and one can recapture the feel of living just by being in the area. The homes and mansions, each unique and appreciated.
Nearly all buildings contain haint blue (represents water) in their construction somewhere, usually found in the doorways. A sense of evil eye for this area, or that of the passover with blood - it is to warn off evil spirits. Of course I also went on a ghost tour, it wouldn't be a visit to Savannah without one. The tour was at night and leads you to the Colonial Park Cemetery. I went back during the day to snoop around. It is an interesting thing, reading tombstones from all over... you never know what stories have been left behind as immortal memoirs.
The cold-chilled winter air prevented me from doing much site seeing on foot, especially at night. So one evening, I decided to take a horse and buggy tour across the many squares and parks. A warm thick wool blanket accompanied me in the dark airy night. There are 24 squares in total, 3 which have nearly disappeared into time. This form of transportation literally transported me back in time... to an era without any other means of traveling other than a horse and buggy, and the guide filling my ears with history. History, which had lead me here to begin with.
The Riverfront, absolutely my favorite. Consisting of 19th century architecture restored. Did you know that these buildings were the cotton warehouses and the central trade area? There is this candy shop on the corner where you can purchase the best red licorice in the world. But my most favorite shop on this thoroughfare happens to be the kite shop. After purchasing a really unique kite (which I and others still have not been able to get in flight), I decided to treat myself to dinner at the River House Seafood Restaurant. I don't do much with bread, but this place had a savory honey wheat potato bread that I actually bought 2 loaves to take with me. And the food from the ocean was just delightful - blue crab cakes and a caesar! Come to find out you can actually order baked goods from them anywhere in the U. S., http://www.riverhouseseafood.com/. After dinner I sat and watched the famous tactics of the Savannah Georgia Boat Fire Brigade. That was a real treat!
I ventured into the night life as well, and found a club that suited my needs downstairs. I took this picture of the stairwell, as it spawned my creativeness to venture down wall murals as a side job. I thought to myself, that's easy enough, and I could make money!
As usual, I can't afford to go to all the museums and art facilities places offer, let alone have the time. So I always research, if you will, all in the area and pick one if not two to indulge in. This trip called for a very special house, the Owens-Thomas House presented by the Telfair Museum, depicting symmetrical English Regency architecture. The designer, William Jay, had built it so that every side in every detail was identical to the other side. So if there was a doorway on the left leading somewhere, there was a doorway on the right leading nowhere. If you can't tell why I chose this as the final cut for the seeing, hehe. Out back one could find the servants quarters and a gift shop filled with fine things and antiques.
In 1794, my ancestors landed and founded The Pirate's House. A tavern which lead to the great tale of Treasure Island. Har Har Mateys!
On foot, nearly the last day of my stay, I found the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. This looming structure was built in 1833 and still stands in awe in the middle of the historic district. I went inside, as the doors were open that day, to look around. Even though I am not a religious person, I always buy a candle (to help promote funding in upkeep of the architectural beauties, along with postcards) and light it when in the transept.
In a must see journey to capture some piece of history based on the book, I ventured towards the Bonaventure Cemetery.
This location is quite off the main fairways of historic Savannah, as it is right next to the Savannah River. There Johnny Mercer wrote the song Moon River and was also burried. I sat on his memorial. It is a bench, " Ac-cent-tchu-ates The Positive - Autumn Leaves - Blues In The Night - Charade - Jeepers Creepers - Laura - Moon River - My Shining Hour - On The Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe / Come Rain Or Come Shine - The Days Of Wine and Roses - Hooray For Hollywood - In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening - One For My Baby - Something's Gotta Give - That Old Black Magic - You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby".
Then of course it wouldn't be fitting if I did not find the infamous Bird Girl statue, that donned the cover of the book that brought me here. Later in years, a girlfriend and myself attended a performance of the book acted solely by the author with a piano, and of course the infamous Chibli. It was quite a different rendition of any artistry I had seen, and I enjoyed it quite thoroughly.
Being so far away from my original destination... I decided to explore, which lead to the island. It was overcast and grey. The road from Bonaventure Cemetery lead over a bridge
and stretched far off into Georgia's bayou of nature.
The road surrounded by water and mangroves, passed an old lighthouse in disrepair. Once at the island itself, it reminded me of small beach locations where everything was situated on a strip with a handful of tourism appeals and hotels. Yet, here it felt different. It was not commercialized and had a small town feel. At the end of the isle was a tall, looming black and white working lighthouse. Unfortunately, it was late in the evening when I did arrive and closing times had passed a few hours earlier. I had thought that the island was more appeasing to me than Savannah itself, which in turn nearly had me change my life's course in moving to this location about a year after my trip. I came to see Savannah and what did I find, Tybee Island.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IumnmhnPJKQ
(Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles)
leaves me in a profound need to go see this place.
Not just any place, or any numerous city wonders of Georgia - such as Atlanta. But a very special town, specific to the nature of the author's journey. Maybe that journey is what compelled me to make my own to Savannah.
I shouldn't of been so pressed with leave from work and the time chosen. Mid winter, yet that in itself lead to the nature of appeal left frozen in my mind from the pages I had read. Was it ideally the way the author had described? Yet his fond description was that of summer. What did I expect to find?
It was only a brief getaway, but worth it never the less. A mini vacation... I tend to do those quite often. Before I ventured, I dreamed of 2 children running around the hallways in a candle lit plantation house. Strange, as if some part of Savannah was reaching out to me before I arrived.
When I did arrive, I found myself in the midst of winter, with not as much festivities or occasions to attend. Although, tourism knows no halt based on just weather. I booked a cozy bed and breakfast down one of the many historic streets that ran rampid to and fro. I missed every single breakfast, as I chose to utilize my vacation for some long overdue sleeping in.
All throughout the town one can find statues, memoirs of personal and historical events, plaques, memorials, graveyards. As a matter of fact, half of the houses and streets in use today are actually built over the remains of many lost souls... as the majority of Savannah is a graveyard in itself. Just happens the population ran out of room to build, so they built on top of the old sacred grounds. Interesting.
The architecture is truly amazing from this time frame and one can recapture the feel of living just by being in the area. The homes and mansions, each unique and appreciated.
Nearly all buildings contain haint blue (represents water) in their construction somewhere, usually found in the doorways. A sense of evil eye for this area, or that of the passover with blood - it is to warn off evil spirits. Of course I also went on a ghost tour, it wouldn't be a visit to Savannah without one. The tour was at night and leads you to the Colonial Park Cemetery. I went back during the day to snoop around. It is an interesting thing, reading tombstones from all over... you never know what stories have been left behind as immortal memoirs.
The cold-chilled winter air prevented me from doing much site seeing on foot, especially at night. So one evening, I decided to take a horse and buggy tour across the many squares and parks. A warm thick wool blanket accompanied me in the dark airy night. There are 24 squares in total, 3 which have nearly disappeared into time. This form of transportation literally transported me back in time... to an era without any other means of traveling other than a horse and buggy, and the guide filling my ears with history. History, which had lead me here to begin with.
The Riverfront, absolutely my favorite. Consisting of 19th century architecture restored. Did you know that these buildings were the cotton warehouses and the central trade area? There is this candy shop on the corner where you can purchase the best red licorice in the world. But my most favorite shop on this thoroughfare happens to be the kite shop. After purchasing a really unique kite (which I and others still have not been able to get in flight), I decided to treat myself to dinner at the River House Seafood Restaurant. I don't do much with bread, but this place had a savory honey wheat potato bread that I actually bought 2 loaves to take with me. And the food from the ocean was just delightful - blue crab cakes and a caesar! Come to find out you can actually order baked goods from them anywhere in the U. S., http://www.riverhouseseafood.com/. After dinner I sat and watched the famous tactics of the Savannah Georgia Boat Fire Brigade. That was a real treat!
I ventured into the night life as well, and found a club that suited my needs downstairs. I took this picture of the stairwell, as it spawned my creativeness to venture down wall murals as a side job. I thought to myself, that's easy enough, and I could make money!
As usual, I can't afford to go to all the museums and art facilities places offer, let alone have the time. So I always research, if you will, all in the area and pick one if not two to indulge in. This trip called for a very special house, the Owens-Thomas House presented by the Telfair Museum, depicting symmetrical English Regency architecture. The designer, William Jay, had built it so that every side in every detail was identical to the other side. So if there was a doorway on the left leading somewhere, there was a doorway on the right leading nowhere. If you can't tell why I chose this as the final cut for the seeing, hehe. Out back one could find the servants quarters and a gift shop filled with fine things and antiques.
In 1794, my ancestors landed and founded The Pirate's House. A tavern which lead to the great tale of Treasure Island. Har Har Mateys!
On foot, nearly the last day of my stay, I found the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. This looming structure was built in 1833 and still stands in awe in the middle of the historic district. I went inside, as the doors were open that day, to look around. Even though I am not a religious person, I always buy a candle (to help promote funding in upkeep of the architectural beauties, along with postcards) and light it when in the transept.
In a must see journey to capture some piece of history based on the book, I ventured towards the Bonaventure Cemetery.
This location is quite off the main fairways of historic Savannah, as it is right next to the Savannah River. There Johnny Mercer wrote the song Moon River and was also burried. I sat on his memorial. It is a bench, " Ac-cent-tchu-ates The Positive - Autumn Leaves - Blues In The Night - Charade - Jeepers Creepers - Laura - Moon River - My Shining Hour - On The Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe / Come Rain Or Come Shine - The Days Of Wine and Roses - Hooray For Hollywood - In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening - One For My Baby - Something's Gotta Give - That Old Black Magic - You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby".
Then of course it wouldn't be fitting if I did not find the infamous Bird Girl statue, that donned the cover of the book that brought me here. Later in years, a girlfriend and myself attended a performance of the book acted solely by the author with a piano, and of course the infamous Chibli. It was quite a different rendition of any artistry I had seen, and I enjoyed it quite thoroughly.
Being so far away from my original destination... I decided to explore, which lead to the island. It was overcast and grey. The road from Bonaventure Cemetery lead over a bridge
and stretched far off into Georgia's bayou of nature.The road surrounded by water and mangroves, passed an old lighthouse in disrepair. Once at the island itself, it reminded me of small beach locations where everything was situated on a strip with a handful of tourism appeals and hotels. Yet, here it felt different. It was not commercialized and had a small town feel. At the end of the isle was a tall, looming black and white working lighthouse. Unfortunately, it was late in the evening when I did arrive and closing times had passed a few hours earlier. I had thought that the island was more appeasing to me than Savannah itself, which in turn nearly had me change my life's course in moving to this location about a year after my trip. I came to see Savannah and what did I find, Tybee Island.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IumnmhnPJKQ
(Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles)
1 comment:
Love the creativity of this
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