I have always loved Charleston but now that I have moved away, I appreciate it too. People who have never lived there (and no a summer doesn't count) can't quite understand the love one develops for this lovely place. You see the longer you stay, the more you begin to see the city through "local eyes". You no longer just enjoy Folly Beach during the peak of the summer. No, you begin to love walks during the fall after a long day at work when you need to just clear the mind and smell the ocean air. You no longer run the bridge once a year during the Cooper River Bridge Race. Yet, you enjoy the occasional run late in the afternoon when you can watch the sunset and then see all the lights from the city sparkle on the water below. You know that the best seafood in town is far, far away from the market, no matter what all the signs say. You no longer have to have an excuse or festival to enjoy an oyster roast, but
just some good friends. You discover the hidden jewel known as the Old Village. You enjoy Sunday evenings at POE's when no one else is there. You no longer get frustrated by all the one way streets because you know them by heart. You even chuckle at the visitors coming straight at you, learning their way around. You can't quite appreciate scenic artwork the same as you use to, as you have the real thing right in front of you everyday. You know just what someone means when they say Caper's for the 4th. You discover how the city can have so many looks and feels depending on your location, may
it be IOP, the waterway, Morris Island, JI or Folly, Sullivans, The Creek, Downtown rooftops or even West Ashley. And you love them all for the different "sweetness" they bring to the table. It truly becomes a love affair. I believe my single greatest love thus far in my life has been with a city and that city is Charleston. (OK that is probably a little bit of a stretch, of course JC is first then family and friends...but you get my point) I have traveled to many wonderful places, done some cool things and seen some truly amazing sites....but still I have a hard time comparing any of them with the sheer delight I get when I start to come in on 26 and smell the musk of the marsh and know I am HOME!
I have always loved Charleston but now that I have moved away, I appreciate it too. People who have never lived there (and no a summer doesn't count) can't quite understand the love one develops for this lovely place. You see the longer you stay, the more you begin to see the city through "local eyes". You no longer just enjoy Folly Beach during the peak of the summer. No, you begin to love walks during the fall after a long day at work when you need to just clear the mind and smell the ocean air. You no longer run the bridge once a year during the Cooper River Bridge Race. Yet, you enjoy the occasional run late in the afternoon when you can watch the sunset and then see all the lights from the city sparkle on the water below. You know that the best seafood in town is far, far away from the market, no matter what all the signs say. You no longer have to have an excuse or festival to enjoy an oyster roast, but 
just some good friends. You discover the hidden jewel known as the Old Village. You enjoy Sunday evenings at POE's when no one else is there. You no longer get frustrated by all the one way streets because you know them by heart. You even chuckle at the visitors coming straight at you, learning their way around. You can't quite appreciate scenic artwork the same as you use to, as you have the real thing right in front of you everyday. You know just what someone means when they say Caper's for the 4th. You discover how the city can have so many looks and feels depending on your location, may 
it be IOP, the waterway, Morris Island, JI or Folly, Sullivans, The Creek, Downtown rooftops or even West Ashley. And you love them all for the different "sweetness" they bring to the table. It truly becomes a love affair. I believe my single greatest love thus far in my life has been with a city and that city is Charleston. (OK that is probably a little bit of a stretch, of course JC is first then family and friends...but you get my point) I have traveled to many wonderful places, done some cool things and seen some truly amazing sites....but still I have a hard time comparing any of them with the sheer delight I get when I start to come in on 26 and smell the musk of the marsh and know I am HOME!
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2 comments:
Could not have put it any better. The best word I could use to describe Charleston would be 'charming'. Can't wait to go back some day, just like Rhett Butler "I'm going back to dignity and grace. I'm going back to Charleston, where I belong."
I miss my old city!!! VEry nice description!
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