Going full tourist!

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Today I went into full tourist mode from the moment I woke up. My bag was packed and ready for every eventuality, my cameras were fully charged and I was in the mood to see me some sights!



I've not really used my car since coming to Charleston, and despite two consecutive "hottest days of the year" I'm enjoying wandering the streets, (power walking the streets if it's dark!) so I walked a little way up to the big tourist office to see what things they could fill my day with.



I opted for the bus/boat package and by 10am I was being slowly (and air conditioned-ly) take around the sights of Charleston. I did a similar tour when I was last here but this one was so much better. The lady was a real local, and knew her stuff. There was also lots of talk about the revolutionary war, and one or two jokes about the English... I kept my interactions to smiles and nods for the rest of the tour.. I felt like a spy in the ranks!



We were dropped off at the boat place and it was hot... At this point there was no breeze, no shade and the old folks were looking ready to drop! Luckily I am slightly acclimatising to the heat (I've even been asked directions a couple of times, like I know where I'm going!! Ha!) so I wasn't a melted wreck like I have been. Once we were told to get on the boat I picked a seat on the top deck, in the shade, and on the side which I figured the best pictures would come from. I was not disappointed.. There was a couple sat in front of me who knew the area and were really keen to share what they knew with me. The guy who was actually doing the tour didn't know as much as the couple on front! The boat also had a large escort in the form of a pod of dolphins swimming alongside for most of the journey but every time I tried to get a picture they dived back under the waves.



We had the option of getting back on the bus or walking from the docks back to where ever we were going, I chose the latter and some how, mysteriously, ended up on the main shopping street. The sky was threatening so every time I felt a spot of rain, I'd nip into a store. I was restrained though... I've still got 10 days left out here! (The fact that it's only 10 days is thoroughly depressing!)



I had an hour or two back at the hotel just reading and booking places to stay for the next few nights. I also had a good google of places to have dinner close by my hotel. I picked a place, read reviews, decided it wouldn't be a romantic spot where I'd stick out like a sore thumb and headed out. I got there and was shown to my table. I then waited, and waited, nobody gave me the time of day, nobody offered to take a drinks order, one waiter asked the two tables either side of me if they were ok and just ignored me. It has been the only time that I've felt self conscious being alone in my whole trip. After more than 10 minutes of just sitting there like a lonely lemon, I stood up, passed who I presumed to be the manager, told him that I was leaving due to appalling service and strided out. I actually wish I'd had a cape on to flourish as I left the building.



I then ended up walking around the streets looking for somewhere busy, but not romantic or filled with couples ideally with a bar! Eventually I found somewhere and I'm currently sat using their wifi and enjoying an Angry Orchard. I have absolutely loved travelling on my own but for some reason tonight I just felt very exposed and by myself. I knew it was bound to happen at some point but I felt very strange after I'd walked out of that other restaurant. Since then though, the waitress in this restaurant has been SO friendly and kind, I'm back to being my intrepid solo traveller self all over again! And I got an extra couple of miles of cardio in so I guess that's a plus! Haha



I'm going to get my bill in a moment and then stroll back to my hotel. I'm leaving tomorrow and going to savannah but just for a day, I've booked to go to Amelia Island after that and will stay by the beach for a couple of days to work on this tan!

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