Charleston, SC

This past weekend I went to Charleston, SC for the first time. I absolutely love traveling. I don't have to go far, just to some place new. I have a bit of a bucket list when it comes to seeing and experiencing new places. One of my goals is to visit all 50 states (25 and counting...) and another one of my goals has more to do with the fact that I am currently in the South for school. I have been lucky enough to visit a lot of places, but the South I don't have much experience with. Before moving to Columbia, the furthest south I had been was Florida, which I know to deep southerners is not even considered the South. So, when I moved to the South I mentally made a list of places I wanted to visit. Charleston was on the list. I'm not exactly sure why I wanted to go, but I had this classic southern image of the city stuck in my brain. When I came to the South I thought the entire region would consist of white picket fences and cute downtown areas. After about a week of living in Columbia I realized this was not the case. Not that I don't love going to the University of South Carolina, because I really do love the school and all the people I have met, but Columbia, SC is not the ideal picture of "Southern Charm". Charleston, SC is most definitely the epitome of this "Charm". The moment I arrived I instantly fell in love with the atmosphere and culture of Charleston.

One of the things I miss most about California is the beach life and atmosphere. The active, outside, healthy lifestyle is such a dominant characteristic of California I thought I would never find anywhere else. Luckily, I was wrong. Charleston is a mixture of my favorite California cities (Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, San Fransisco), but with something extra that may make it even more special: the classic and fantasized Southern Charm and southern history.

Walking the cobblestone streets of downtown and the brick sidewalks of College of Charleston only deepened my immediate love for the historic city. I visited the Market, a layout of five vertical buildings that used to hold auctions of animals and slaves, now full of local merchants. As I walked through each building all I could think was that years ago on the very bricks I was walking on African Americans were being bought and sold like animals. At the opposite end of the Market is a pier with old wood porch swings overlooking the ocean and an island that I found out was Fort Sumter, which is where the Civil War began! I couldn't believe I was so close to something that held so much historical significance. Like I said, I love and miss California, but history is something the state lacks. History was my favorite subject in high school, but the places and events I learned about only registered as past places and events. Being in the South, I realize that so many of these events and places are immortalized through the land and monuments made.

I visited the Battery and Rainbow Row; streets of the most extravagant and gorgeous buildings and homes I have ever seen. Finally, King St., the central of downtown Charleston brought butterflies to my stomach and painted a smile on my face. Row upon row of individual boutiques and major retailers made the fashionista inside of me squeal with joy. Quick shout out to Beech; a little açaí, smoothie, poke place that made the best açaí I have ever had in my life! (and trust me being raised in SoCal I have had my fair share of açaí)

Charleston, SC stole my heart the moment I spelt the sea air and laid my eyes on the classic southern architecture. It is one of the places I have decided I will live one day. I have only come to this conclusion with two other places that have brought me just as much joy: Santa Monica, CA and New York, NY. Thank you Charleston for making me happy and for being one of the cutest places I have ever visited.