I'm in Charlotte this week on a business trip. This sculpture stands at the main entrance of my hotel. I think it's quite beautiful.
I don't believe I've ever been to Charlotte. It makes me a little sad that I can't remember if I've visited before. I'm positive I've been to North Carolina twice I just can't remember if I've visited Raleigh twice or Raleigh once and Charlotte once.
Everyone is very friendly here but no one (no one!) has a southern accent.
My cab driver was from Eastern Africa. He had a very thick accent and asked my advice on how to improve his English (which I thought was quite good.) Because I'm a typical American, I said "watch more tv." He just became a U.S. citizen after living here for 11 years. He is looking forward to voting in his first presidential election this fall. He did not reveal his candidate of choice. He did tell me that his 4 year old son is named Raymond and his 16 month old son is Dylan. He explained that it is important to him to name them typical American names! More than once he said how lucky he is to live here. He is a recent graduate of an XRay technician program and he's hoping to find work in the field.
The guy who delivered my room service told me that he is working on his Ph.D. in Family Medical Therapy. He attends UNC, Chapel Hill. Not a single "Y'all" was spoken by him. Turns out he's from Long Island. He informed me that everyone in Charlotte is from somewhere else.
Okay, now to the negative side of Charlotte. I started the day with cute hair and a heart full of hope but both fell flat in the heavy, sticky air. And everyone said "you're from Arizona? You must be used to this weather." No. No we're not. Our heat is oppressive and the expression blast furnace is quite accurate but we use air conditioners and once you are in an air conditioned building, you live life. You do not continue to feel sweat running over every part of your body, gluing your clothes to your back and arms and legs. You don't have to reapply makeup every 2 hours and you most certainly can fluff your hair back into place with a hand comb and a few well placed spritzes of hair spray.
On the upside, I did not have to remember how to get back to my hotel, I just followed my sweat droplets all the way home.
2 comments:
You should tell your cab driver that he should move to Oregon. Once you cross the U.S./Mexico border - you only need to show a utility bill in order to register to vote here!!!
It may be nasty humid where you are, but at least you ARE somewhere! I'm itching to go some place - ANY place! Too many exclamation points!! If you find yourself with time to kill in your hotel room late at night, why not do a little shopping?? www.sewperfectbagco.etsy.com. Enjoy the rest of your trip!
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