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What I love about Charleston, SC

Want to know what I love about Charleston? I was born and raised in Charleston, SC a small town on the coast where the seafood is fresh and the culture is deep. I am Gullah or Geechee….whatever you prefer. The older crowd says gullah while the new generation says geechee. We speak differently and our dialect is broken english. We talk backwards to some but if you are from the area you will know that that is how we talk. I have a slight accent also which confuses people because they thing I am from Jamaica or from an island. They are always surprised when I say I am from Charleston,Sc. Here is a video on our dialect and how we talk with a little history of where we are from. We Been ya!

I was born in the early 80’s (I’m not telling my age lol) to a mother who was raised in Charleston and Philadelphia. Growing up Geechee I did things that others didn’t do. We eat rice everyday, we love oxtail, we talk differently. Sometimes I write how I talk and people are always correcting me saying I am not using the proper form of English but little do they know how I talk is my language and that it comes across as me not knowing how to speak. That’s why you gotta get to know people before you try to correct them. My broken English is not because I don’t know the proper forms I do…it’s just that being raised speaking a different dialect sometimes has me confused. I use to be ashamed of my language but now…it is what it is. So what are some of the things that I love about Charleston, my home town. Here are a few…

What I Love About Charleston

The Food – Come to Charleston ready to eat! You have to visit Hyman’s Seafood as your first stop. They are always packed but it’s a must that you go there. Make sure you leave with some of that yellow stone grits!

Chewies – We are known for our Chewies luckily I don’t have to make them anymore. I can just order them from my girl Erica at The Charleston Crunch Co.

Kiawah Island – My mom use to work here cleaning homes for those that had beach houses on the island…isn’t it funny that now I can be one of those people who can actually afford to rent out a beach home here on the island

The Beach – You can’t come to Charleston without visiting the beach! Folly Beach is gorgeous anytime of the year!

What I love about Charleston.

Fresh Seafood – I live in Atlanta and I hate that I can’t find fresh seafood here. I can find it if I go to the Dekalb Farmers Market but for the most part…I can’t find good seafood here at all. If I want that freshness I go home! You haven’t had gumbo until you’ve had Geechee Gumbo.

A sense of calm – I go home to find peace. I can just go home and feel calm and like I have no cares in the world. When I go home I always find the nearest beach or I go to waterfront park and I just sit. Home is where my heart will always be

Photography – Yes I had to stick this one in. I am a photographer and I love my home and it’s beauty can do wonders for my photogenic eyes. You can take photos down by the battery, at Magnolia Gardens, in pineapple fountain at waterfront park, outside eating at one of your favorite restaurants, etc. There is always somewhere to do a photoshoot

I am so glad I have this reminder of my home that I can frame. I got this from Modern Map Art. Make sure you get one of your hometown so that you can always have it as a reminder of where you are from.

What I love about Charleston.

What I Love About Charleston – My Memories

I remember the days of walking to corner stores to buy candy and pig feet, I remember the nights at the beach with this guy I use to like lol. I remember the Sundays in church where we sang old spirituals and prayed for better days. I am hoping to move home to Charleston once my kids are older. I stay in Atlanta so that they can be near my late husbands family to be fair to them but oh how I want to move back home and just be at peace. In the meantime…home is what you make it. You can always travel to your favorite places and see your favorite things but just make sure that you make a home wherever you are. If you can’t live in the place you love… love the place you are in! Based on what I love about Charleston, are you ready to visit?

Where is your hometown? Do you miss it if you moved away?

I received this map for a review. Nothing monetary was exchanged and all opinions are my own 

What I love about Charleston, SC.

 

35 Comments

  • Ty
    July 7, 2017 at 4:42 pm

    I have heard of Gullah but I don’t think that I have ever really heard the language spoken or much about it. This video and post were very informative. I feel like I learned a lot. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply
  • Keyonda
    July 7, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    Wow! This was very informative. I have family from NC and SC. I wonder if we have Gullah in our background.

    Reply
  • Michelle D Garrett
    July 7, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    I agree with the sense of peace and calm. When life gets haywire, I hit the highway and there’s a feeling of release that comes as soon as I hit the Mark Clark.

    Reply
  • Theresa
    July 7, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    Charleston sounds beautiful! I would love to visit there soon. The beach looks wonderful!

    Reply
  • Angela Tolsma
    July 7, 2017 at 8:32 pm

    I love that you explained your dialect and how it’s not improper. I never would have thought that there’s different dialects for English. Love your pictures. One day I’ll visit Charleston!

    Reply
  • Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
    July 7, 2017 at 10:22 pm

    I’ve been to Charleston once when I was in middle school, growing up. My dad was stationed on the USS Yorktown when he was in the Navy, and we went on vacation there. I loved it! Everything about Charleston is wonderful!

    Reply
  • Amanda Dorich
    July 8, 2017 at 12:33 am

    Charleston is one of my favorite places!! We have visited there a few times and I love it even more each time!

    Reply
  • Karen Morse
    July 8, 2017 at 12:39 am

    I think it’s beautiful and it’s awesome that you get to have a hometown like this, good food, lovely beach! What more can you ask for, right? It’s nice that you get a sense of calm every time you come and visit.

    Reply
  • Terri Steffes
    July 8, 2017 at 3:56 am

    It has been ages since we have been to Charleston, but we loved it the last time we were there. It is a southern city we’d love to live in.

    Reply
  • Cassie Tucker
    July 8, 2017 at 1:09 pm

    I love living so close to Charleston. There is so much to see and do and the culture is amazing. Everyone needs to visit every once in awhile.

    Reply
  • Heather
    July 8, 2017 at 1:50 pm

    I’ve never visited Charleston but would love to! There is so much to do there, I’m sure our family would have an amazing week long visit!

    Reply
  • Journa Ramirez
    July 8, 2017 at 2:26 pm

    Thanks for sharing beautiful things about Charleston. Those (esp fresh seafood) are trying to pull me – hope I can visit soon!

    Reply
  • Lia World Traveler
    July 8, 2017 at 3:32 pm

    I love Charleston too, beautiful town, great culture. The video was fascinating and I would love to see a more in depth documentary on Gullah-Geechee culture! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  • Bianca Dottin
    July 9, 2017 at 3:36 pm

    I’ve never been to Charleston but it’s on our bucket list and we’re hoping to make it there this year. I’ve heard nothing but great things. Thanks for sharing all of the things you love!

    xoxo,
    Bianca

    Reply
  • Marsha
    July 9, 2017 at 3:39 pm

    My ex-husband is from SC so I went there quite a bit. I was intrigued by his grandparents’ accent. Me being Jamaican, I thought his accent sounded similar or that of the islands. That’s when I learned about the Gullah people and Geechee. I loved it! We went to the Gullah Festival once in Hilton Head but I’ve never been to Charleston, although I’ve always wanted to visit. I still plan to go!

    Reply
  • Kimberly
    July 9, 2017 at 9:04 pm

    Being from the Charleston area myself, I must say I agree with everything on your list! Hyman’s Seafood is a Charleston staple and you can’t beat the fresh seafood.

    Reply
  • Blythe Alpern
    July 9, 2017 at 9:05 pm

    I absolutely adore Charleston. I’ve been a couple of times and have loved the food, the sites, and the people. Can’t wait to back again.

    Reply
  • Cindy Ingalls
    July 9, 2017 at 9:06 pm

    Charleston is such a beautiful southern city. I love all the history of the area and all the great restaurants. It’s such a foodie town.

    Reply
  • Kenya
    July 9, 2017 at 10:10 pm

    I actually wanted to take a drive to SC and charleston is on the list ! We are located in NC so not that bad of the drive for what your going to get !

    Reply
  • Sabrina
    July 9, 2017 at 10:39 pm

    It is a wonderful thing to embrace your culture despite others expectations! I cannot wait to visit Charleston, SC!

    Reply
  • Mimi Green
    July 9, 2017 at 11:29 pm

    My cousin lives in Charleston, but I’ve never really had a chance to tour around. We are always in and out when we are there.

    I need to plan some time to be a tourist the next time we go.

    Reply
  • Debra Hawkins
    July 10, 2017 at 12:29 am

    I adore SC. My sister used to live there and we would go out to visit. What a gorgeous and green place! I was always wowed by all of the life!

    Reply
  • Caitlin
    July 10, 2017 at 2:32 am

    LOVE the map! (I’m a map junkie!) I’ve always wanted to visit Charleston – it looks so beautiful in all the pictures I’ve seen. I have a girlfriend who moved there and absolutely loves it.

    Reply
  • Karen Akpan
    July 10, 2017 at 9:58 am

    I’ve been to South Carolina once with my 4yr old and loved it. you describe it so well. We had such a great time there. And the beach was great too 🙂

    Reply
  • Kim
    July 10, 2017 at 1:51 pm

    Nice! I have not been to Charleston since I was a kid. My aunt would take us. We used to visit the old slave markets and plantations.

    Reply
  • Shannon Gurnee
    July 10, 2017 at 7:45 pm

    I’ve been to Charleston once and it was an awesome experience. There is so much beauty in that city!

    Reply
  • Rebecca Brianne
    July 11, 2017 at 3:25 am

    Charleston is becoming such a major hotspot! I’ve noticed it becoming a big place for New Englanders to go visit for a bit more sunshine but still stays in line with their more traditional style. I’ve been itching for a visit!

    Reply
  • Rimsha
    July 11, 2017 at 5:56 am

    These pictures are so gorgeous, they make me want to visit! Have never been to the US of A and Charleston has never been on my wishlist but I’m changing my mind now 🙂

    Reply
  • Kristy Prescod
    July 11, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    Now I want to visit Charleston you had me at Beach and fresh seafood. Hallelu!

    Reply
  • K. Elizabeth
    July 11, 2017 at 9:31 pm

    Love Charleston! Hyman’s definitely stays packed. We couldn’t even get in the last time we where there and the wait was going to be ridiculous. I’m only a few hours from Charleston and can’t wait to visit soon.

    Reply
  • Krystle Cook
    July 12, 2017 at 6:17 pm

    Charleston has seriously always been on my list of places to visit. I totally need to see everything for myself because it seems like such a wonderful place.

    Reply
  • Ola
    August 30, 2017 at 6:17 pm

    Oh my goodness! Thank you for such an amazing post! I have never understood Geechee until now.

    Reply
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