Doing the Charleston
The Rotary Group Study Exchange team from Peru did a lot of walking on Tuesday. MTM hosted them on his Mayor’s Institute Walking Tour, a study of the historical layers of Charleston’s landscape as it developed from a scattered settlement to British colony to American city.
For the Peru team members, Charleston is a small town. Iquitos, the city three team members call home, boasts 600,000 inhabitants, compared to Charleston’s 120,000. I hope they don’t feel like they’re visiting a back water.
We spent a lot of time comparing modes of transport: bikes (used more in the US than in Peru); trains (outdated in the US and almost non-existent in Peru); motorbikes (a very big deal in Peru); buses (not heavily used in either Charleston or Peru). But, we spent the morning getting around on our feet.
Patricia (left) is the Peru team leader. She owns a restaurant in Iquitos, Peru. Ana (right) is a pharmacist in Iquitos.
Juan, Patricia, Ana, Percy and Agueda listen as MTM explains the topography of seventeenth century Charleston. Note the flowers in the background. Spring has sprung in the past couple of weeks.
The team at the Pineapple Fountain at Charleston’s Waterfront Park. We couldn’t convince any of the Peru team members to swim in the fountain……
A trip down Stoll’s Alley in Charleston. Alleys served as portals to interior blocks. Mansions sat on the main street, and alleys led to slave quarters, stables, kitchen gardens, kitchen houses and other outbuildings inside the block. Today, smaller homes populate Charleston’s interior blocks. Stoll’s Alley is one of my favorite Charleston walks. Many tourists do not find it.
It’s a little blurry, but we took the Peru team inside Charleston City Council Chambers to view the infamous George Washington Portrait. (Blog post here, and it’s worth a read if you like to laugh and/or cry at the behavior of politicians.) Andrew Jackson, our seventh President, occupies the portrait on the left.
The Peru team at Charleston’s Four Corners of Law. They are standing in front of Charleston City Hall, noted for the much-celebrated marriage of MTM and me on the balcony. The former State of South Carolina Courthouse is in the background. Across the street, the Federal Courthouse sits on one corner, and St. Michael’s Church sprawls on the other. City Law. State Law. Federal Law. God’s Law. The Four Corners of Law.
For those readers interested in the peppermint peach tree featured a couple of weeks ago, here’s a better shot of the flowers. In a few days, these unique trees will put on a multi-colored show.
Charleston is such a beautiful city. I haven’t been there since a spring break trip in college, but your pictures make me want to go back.
Come visit any time, Lisa.
One of these days.
Regarding the lovely Pineapple Fountain, perhaps your guests would have gone in if a native had demonstrated how it is done?
I want to go down that alley.
I have only supervised Cayleigh in that fountain. One can get away with so much more with a kid………..
Great pics and such a nice group from Peru. I have never been down Stoll’s Alley, have to find out where that is and tale a stroll. HINT!! HINT!!
Lou, where the east “High Battery” begins and makes a jog is approximately where Stolls Alley is. Here is a Google map link to it. http://goo.gl/maps/bciBj You can enter the end on Church Street or enter from the East Battery end. Which ever way, it’s a beautiful stroll up Stolls.
It’s really easy to find from East Bay (which is East Battery by that point.) It dumps out into Church Street, and if you turn left and make the jog at Water, my favorite part of Church Street is down that way.
Don’t tell them all where it is! You are going to spoil it.
Yes, I’m sure the billions of people who read my blog are going to flock there en masse, Carnell. *sarcasm*
Lovely! Looks like a great group! I’m wondering if that Peppermint Peach tree would grow in Idaho…probably too cold. It’s blooms already look lovely. We’ve still got snow on the ground here so spring hasn’t sprung yet. Your words and pictures make a person long to visit…and I will, just haven’t nailed down the time yet…but when I do you and MTM will be my first call.
I also, would like to stroll down Stoll’s Alley. Lovely job Andra and I’m looking forward to seeing it in person someday.
Come on down any time, Lori. MTM will give you your own Mayor’s Institute Walking Tour.
Showing off Charleston to visitors is always a delight. It’s so much fun to live vicariously and watch the delight on their faces as they enjoy our city. Great photos and fun virtual walk.
I think the Peru team enjoyed it. They were very tired last night.
Sillies – you have to wait until summer to convince out-of-towners to swim in the fountain. THEN they’ll fall for it like a charm ;P
It’s more of a wading pool than a swimming one, full of kids in summer.
Thank you for that peppermint peach in bloom, and thank you for the tour, Andra. I would enjoy Stoll’s Alley where I know my imagination would be in overdrive. The Four Corners of Law. Wouldn’t that be a great clue/destination in a movie? (aforementioned imagination now in overdrive). Fun, fun, post that’s left me full of wonder and wanderlust. Thank you.
Penny, I will try to get back down there when the peppermint peach is in full bloom. It really is quite something to see.
Thank you for that, Andra.
A restaurant owner and a pharmacist? Wow, two of my favorite people! And you actually had a very nice day of it yesterday between cold patches.
But where is the story on what everyone ate at Fleet Landing?
And yes, I have been in the fountain.
Why am I not surprised?
Separate post. Be patient, Carnell.
What a lovely stroll! I am always so much more interested in what one can see on foot! When possible, it’s the only way! I can’t imagine they’d think Charleston back water in any sense of the word. I know that when I visit a smaller city, especially one with SOOO much history, I just luxuriate. I think the personal MTM tour must be very much appreciated. I loved tagging along!
At dinner tonight, I sat next to a woman whose daughter lives in LA. I encouraged her to visit the LACMA. I tried to remember all the other places you’ve profiled……wine brain…….She has a four-year-old granddaughter there. Tomorrow night, I will try to connect you somehow for the next time she visits.
I love it–wine brain! Yes, I love making connections! I have thought of making a page that more directly speaks of “tourist” destinations. I might do that just for fun!
We had a great tour with a great Guide, Mr. Michael !
Just one word : nostalgia !
I love that you’re wearing your South Carolina flag hat in your picture, Emerson. Come back and visit any time. You know you are always welcome.
Now that is what I call a packed schedule, Andra – beautiful tour.
I am dragging right now, Kate. Dragging.
I love Charleston history. I miss the place. Glad you’re enjoying sleeping with and entertaiing your Peruvian. Great picture of you.
Thank you. I keep writing these to convince you to come here instead of Savannah. Ha.
I know! wife and I are still open to the idea.
Stroll’s Alley reminds me of Elspeth’s Alley ~ the oldest street in Philadelphia. Charming photos of you and your guests.
They are probably close to the same age, those alleys.
I have only visited once and I really loved it.
Do come back some day.
Did Princess Leia feature at all Andra?
Not at all, Jim.
Oh Damn! When I saw the title, I thought you’d be dancing. But, it was fun seeing the Rotarians from Peru, I’m sure they enjoyed the tour of your fair city… you could tell by the excitement on their faces during MTM’s speech. I really would have loved to have been on the tour… it is a beautiful city, Andra.
It is hard to believe they leave tomorrow. The week has flown.
Did you learn any good words?
Not any racy ones. Mostly food ones.
I’ve been to Charleston several times ( my family is from Eutawville, SC…yes, that’s a real place) but I’ve never done a walking tour. I’m going to add that to my to do list for my next visit.
I’ve been to Eutawville.
I hope this little tour is a hit for you the next time you’re in Charleston.