Celebration in Savannah

by Gail Balentine

Before the trip to Savannah I was apprehensive. Why? Well, start with flying, continue with the arthritis pain when I walk, add wondering how being that close with family for days would work out, and end with going to a city we’d never been to before with people and food we didn’t know. Put it all together and the anticipation was exciting and nerve-wracking all at once.

Logan airport is not my friend. I find it too big and confusing, but we got through it and onto the plane on time. The captain who we watched enter the cockpit was an older gentleman. My daughter leaned over and said, “Not his first rodeo”, and we both smiled. Right after that, one of our flight attendants came to the front of the plane. She, the captain, and another flight attendant were discussing a passenger (he joined them) who had apparently been quite rude to her. I thought he was going to be leaving the plane immediately, but they straightened it out after he apologized profusely. I admired her self-confidence. It seemed that we were in good hands and with my nerves a bit less frayed, the flight went well.

Getting settled in the hotel was a smooth process and the evening went well. Our first dinner in Savannah – at Paula Deen’s restaurant – was unexpectedly delicious. All the warnings about heavy southern food may be true but we chose the buffet where we could select what we wanted, and it was a perfect introduction to southern hospitality and dining. True southern fried chicken – my mouth waters just thinking about it.

The next morning, I was up and ready early and went downstairs to get a cup of coffee. In one of the restaurants I met a waitress who obviously needed the coffee more than I – she had left her charm somewhere else. Funny thing was, later that day and each time we ate there, she was wonderful. That’s when I remembered that some days I would win no awards for sweetness when I first get up. Just ask my husband.

Savannah is a walking city with many parks, statues, and old trees draped with Spanish Moss. If the city in October was a color, it would be green. Fortunately, along with the charming streets and parks come many benches along the way. The arthritis that had haunted me before going receded into the background. No wonder Forrest Gump looked so comfortable sitting on that park bench talking about his chocolates.

From tour guides to waitresses and waiters to a terrific bartender to bookstore owners (and their two beautiful cats) to the wonderful woman who sang to us at our anniversary celebration dinner, the people we met in Savannah were the kind of people you hope to meet when you’re away from home. Helpful, thoughtful, efficient and able to answer questions and give directions patiently, as if they don’t have to say the same thing a hundred times a day.

On the last day, we went to a museum to pass the time until our return flight. We had no idea we were in for such a treat. Our guide brought Savannah’s role in the American Revolution to life. He had us following him outside, carrying flags, mounting a small hill and taking mock aim at the enemy. He had such a way of bringing you into what he was doing that it would have been no surprise to have a horse and buggy arrive to take us back to the hotel rather than the taxi that did come.

And last, but most emphatically not least, there was family. We have traveled together a lot and mostly it has been great. But, now and then, some not-for-prime-time moments show up – the kind that can throw a wet blanket on things for a while. Not this trip. Our children set out to make this a trip of a lifetime and they succeeded, in style. We had a wonderful time together and so many precious memories.

Of all the wonderful things we saw and did on our trip, the time we spent together was the best of all. It was such a lovely way to celebrate 50 years married.

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