Charleston’s Sticky Secrets & Slightly Broken Shoes
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm coffee. 3682963 and 1170364248… honestly, those numbers just keep swirling around in my head like a bad cymbal crash. it’s 13.01 outside, feels like 12.9, pressure’s a solid 1014, humidity’s clinging to me like a damp towel - and i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. i landed in Charleston yesterday, and let me tell you, it’s a whole thing. a sticky, sweet, slightly unsettling thing.
first off, the shoes. i swear, i’ve lost at least three pairs of laces. and my boots are actively plotting against me. it’s a hazard, really. i’m pretty sure the cobblestones are sentient and deliberately trying to trip you up. i found a little shop called ‘Sole Survivor’ - they sell these ridiculously chunky, waterproof boots. seriously, they look like something a Viking would wear. i’m considering investing.
I spent the morning wandering around Rainbow Row, which is… well, it’s pink. a lot of pink. and it’s crowded. like, aggressively crowded. i overheard a group of college kids saying someone told them that the best shrimp and grits are at Husk - which, honestly, sounded like a solid rumor. i’m going to check it out later. i’m also pretty sure i saw a guy dressed as a pirate selling hot dogs. charleston, you’re wild.
Speaking of food, the food is… intense. i had this thing called benne wafers at Rodney Scott’s BBQ - they’re these little sesame cookies, and they’re seriously addictive. i’m pretty sure i ate a whole bag by myself. i also stumbled upon a place called 167 Raw, which is basically a juice bar with a serious attitude. the guy behind the counter gave me this look when i asked for a simple green smoothie. like, ‘are you trying to poison yourself?’
I’m staying in a tiny Airbnb in the French Quarter. it’s… charming. in a slightly dilapidated way. the walls are thin, and i can hear everything. last night, i heard a guy arguing about his stamp collection. it was… dramatic. if you get bored, Savannah is just a short drive away.
Here’s the lowdown, gleaned from a few questionable sources:
Best BBQ: Rodney Scott’s (obviously). Seriously, don’t even think about going anywhere else. (Check Yelp for the latest reviews: https://www.yelp.com/)
*Hidden Gem: The Charleston Tea Garden - it’s a bit of a trek, but it’s worth it for the iced tea. (TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/)
*Don’t Trust: Anyone offering you a ‘ghost tour’ that promises to show you actual ghosts. It’s probably just a guy with a flashlight and a bad attitude. (Seriously, I heard that…)
*Coffee Fix: Black + Co. - they make a mean pour-over. (Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/blackandcocharleston/])
*Shopping:* King Street is a maze of boutiques and antique shops. Be prepared to get lost. (Local Board: https://www.localboard.com/)
I’m heading to Fort Sumter tomorrow. Apparently, it’s where the Civil War started. which is… a lot. i’m hoping to get some decent photos. my camera roll is already overflowing with pink houses and confused-looking people.
and honestly, that’s charleston in a nutshell. chaotic, delicious, and slightly unsettling. i need more coffee. and maybe a new pair of boots.
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