Boiled or Fried: The Georgia Experience
Posted by Sam at 12:54 AM

This is it... my last day here in Georgia with my little sister. She's in a video conference meeting thingy, so guess what I'm doing? Yep, feeding the addiction. Coffee. Internet. Scone. (Yes, I know... "Scone" isn't typically part of the addict's holy trinity. But damn, that pastry looked so good. I couldn't resist.)

I've taken ten bizillion photos this week. Most of which are of the puppy chewing on stuff... however, some are of me chewing on stuff. The photo's are all nicely tucked away in iPhoto. During the ridiculously out of the way trip home (Jacksonville, FL to Detroit, MI to Hartford, CT), I'll sort through them (and, with the help of this awesome and free little plugin for iPhoto, I might give flickr a once over).

So anyway, about Georgia... ummm... er, that's about all I've got.

No, Georgia is a warm place full of rich culture and southern ideals. Lots of "y'all." Lots of waffle restaurants. Oh... and vultures. I saw lots of vultures.

Could I live here? Probably not. I've lived in New England for the majority of my life. I've got too much New England blood flowing through my veins. The South (at least this part of Georgia (but I can stereotype the entire South based on one visit to one small corner, right?)) is the complete American antithesis of my New England experience. Life here is slow, the landscape is flat, the roads are all highways, and the peanuts are either boiled or fried prior to their consumption.

The Georgian folk are a kind lot though. Kind, friendly, generous... so much so, that upon first encounter, I assumed them all to be under the influence of some sort of mind-numbing medication... Soma, if you will. Of course, my next thought was, "where do I get some of this beautiful product? Do I have to be a Georgia citizen? 'Cause, for the right meds, I could do that." But no, as it turns out they are simply good-hearted people... who happen to boil peanuts. I don't know. It's just something they do. Odd at first, but soon it becomes an endearing part of the Georgian way of life.

It was wonderful to visit my sister, her fiance, and their puppy. It will however, be wonderful to return to civilization.

Oh... worth noting is that my sister's next domicile will be Seattle, WA. No doubt a huge contrast to life in Georgia. She'll be moving in October. I've never been to Seattle. Concerning the west coast, I've never passed Portland, OR as a northernly destination. I am excited for her to move, but my excitement is of a selfish nature. Her being in Seattle gives me a solid reason to visit and explore that city. Sweet. I'll be sure to pack as many flannel shirts as my worn-in-just-the-right-places, purchased-at-the-army/navy-store, 100%-military-issue army bag will allow.

Grunge ground zero, here I come!

Comments: 3 | Post a Comment | Permalink

But Sam, did you try the boiled peanuts?!!!

Comment By TheDarkLordDerfla on June 15, 2005 9:13 AM

Little sister Mimi here...I would like to explain a few things. GA is not all about Waffle House and Boiled Peanuts. We did sooo much more while Sam was visiting me. We went to the beach, went to the zoo, took the Budweiser brewery tour, ate a lot and shopped a lot. And this is civilization! Sam where is your openness to different culture?? I seem to remember having a conversation with you a few years back about how I have no culture? Is that how it went? Anyway thanks for visiting me in "slower lower" as Dawn puts it and if you are lucky I will let you trash my WA apartment like you did this one!

Comment By Anonymous on June 16, 2005 6:46 PM

i love seattle.

also, mimi! congrats!

Comment By Dr. Kennedy on June 17, 2005 6:33 PM