I think I’ll survive… anyway, to answer your questions…

You know I live in Boston and that I love it here. I’ve been to a lot of other places and spent an extended amount of time in Columbia, as you know, and I hated it. There are a bunch of reasons why I like living here. Firstly, I’ve noticed it is nearly impossible to get a good meal outside of the Northeast. Between the restaurants, subshops, cafes, etc, everything is just better. Even Burger King tastes better here. Don’t ask me why.

I also love the four full seasons we experience. I love the fact that I can be in the heart of a major metropolitan area and then drive 45 minutes north and be in the country, or drive 10 minutes out and be at the beach, or drive an hour and a half and be in the mountains.

I love Boston culture. I love the politics of the city and state. There’s always some form of protest taking place somewhere in the city.

I love knowing that no matter what night it is, there’s always something to do. I love the nightlife, the bars, the concerts, the sports teams… the clubs I couldn’t care less for, but then again, I’d hate a nightclub no matter where it was. I love how easily drivers will flip one another off here. I love the architecture of the city’s buildings, both modern and historic. I love walking down a cobblestone road, laid down in the 16th century and at the same moment looking up at 21st century skyscrapers. I love the museums. I love how even the girls here are obsessed with the Red Sox.

Okay, I’ll shut up now.

Angela, your answer was wonderful btw. I’ve always wanted to visit Boston, if not just for the history. Your description of walking down a cobblestone road laid in the 16th century while looking at 21st century skyscrapers is history enough for me. Just reading your description shows that there are people who love the place where they live. (And also that there are people who hate Columbia as well!)

I guess I just haven’t found that place to call mine yet and I’m envious of those who have. I know one day I’ll return to the South region to raise a family (Most likely the Shenandoah valley…God I love that place) but it still doesn’t feel like MY area.

But frankly, I can’t wait until I do find a place that makes me write as eloquently and lovingly as you can about Boston.

When I was a young adult in the 60′s, “everyone” wanted to move to one of two places, Boulder, CO or San Francisco. It was the hippy thing to do. Back then those places seemed like another planet to kids from SC, and in reality, they were. I guess it’s just a sign of the times that your version of getting away is so much further from home…kinda makes me wonder where your grandkids will want to escape to….Mars?

The wanderlust feeling is always strongest at your age. It’s totally natural. That’s how new territories have always been populated…and to my eyes, it’s a good thing. New horizons…new mountains to cross…it’s what makes us human.

Some of us hold onto those wandering days longer than others. You know I was one of those. I held it very dear until I was 46 years old….I’ve visited every state in the US at least three times, most of them as many as 50 times…and there are things about every one of them that I truly love. There are things about each of them that are terrible.

But I also truly love the South. I love the fact that everyone here is friendly. I love the fact that we “don’t” flip each other off all the time. I love the fact that most folks will take the time to stop and help a stranger in need. I like that fact that adult men still say “Mam”. I like the fact that I can drive ten minutes from town & be at home, with cows mooing in the pasture across the street. I like leaving my door unlocked. I like going into the local pub and realizing that I went to school with just about everyone in there. It just feels like home to me.

Trust me, you’ll find a place that feels like home to you one day….& I hope I get to visit you there.

Godspeed.

And Dad….thank you. That was beautiful. I’m seriously gonna miss you guys while I’m gone, but trust me, when I do settle down, you’ll be my first visitor.

Why do I like living where I do? Living in the South is an experience like no other. I agree with Jerry that the courtesy and friendliness of the people are unique. I like the azaleas in the spring, breakfast at the Skillet, a Chick Filet sandwich anytime, and a bowl of She Crab soup in Charleston.
I like an SEC night game at Williams Bryce with a tailgate in the afternoon, a trip to the Carolina coast and a walk on the beach. I especially like a small plot of land in good old Spartanburg with a house I call home where my sons grew up and where we shared many a good time with family and friends.
Ryan, I also want to wish you the best of luck on your adventure to Australia. Keep us posted on your activities down under. I feel sure that you will find a way to make it very entertaining and educational. I know that Kevin will miss you and I will too.

Best wishes,

Kevin’s Dad

It’s nice for me reading the memories people have of SC. As much as I want to move away from here for a while, it reminds of that this place isn’t as bad as I make it out to be at times.

Fellner gave me your e-mail address, so when I sit down to draft my e-mails to family and friends from Australia and wherever else life takes me, you can be assured to receive a copy. And plus, if Fellner wins my Goob Experience auction, I’ll be down in Charleston this July for a few days =) Thanks for posting on here and hopefully you’ll come back for more!