It's the last night here in Alabama. I had a wonderful time down here. My family has done a great job of showing me around, and I hope those who tuned in to the vacation blog enjoyed this little adventure with me.
I suppose I should take a moment to reflect here on the fact that we're all different in our viewpoints and our lifestyles and that recognizing those differences is important. We all come from different backgrounds and look at life differently. It's tough coming from the North to see the South when you're loaded with stereotypes. I'm certain it's just as rough dealing with a Yankee in the South. Let's be honest, we're generally not friendly people... I don't mean to be rude, but waving at strangers on the street corner is odd to me. I'm sure that makes me a snobby bitch for not waving to people down here, but luckily it seems like my Yankee tendencies were tolerated if certainly odd. That's hospitality.
Anyway, I will be returning to my nature blog now that the trip is over. (http://naturewritingjournal.blogspot.com/) There may be a chance that some of my outdoors experiences around here could crop up in the future in the nature blog since I'm compiling this info for my Master's and I certainly have no published everything here.
Great trip, good food, wonderful people.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
A little religion for the soul...
Let's be frank, Alabama is part of "The Bible Belt." This label has, in the past, had a lot of negative connotation attached to it for me. Honestly, I'm not keen on 'Bible-Beaters' or anyone who feels they should tell me I'm going to hell for not following their religion. Honestly, I dislike being told I'm damned by Christians as much as I dislike Muslims telling me I'm an infidel. "Enjoy your religion and keep it to yourself. Leave me out of it." - That's pretty much my motto these days.
Anyhow, I discovered some endearing religious qualities while down here this time. While ignoring anyone saying, "they're just gonna go to hell," I realized that death down here has more meaning.
To put this in perspective, Southern funerals (especially black ones, but not only black ones from what I understand) are all-day 'events' (and I do not mean that term lightly). Funerals are busy to the point of lines extending outside and past the parking lots. EVERYONE stops for a funeral procession line of cars... it does not matter what side of the road you're on. Often times, the family involved spends the entire morning and afternoon dealing with the funeral to come home and find that other family members have prepared an entire feast. All mourners return from the funeral and burial service to the house to eat. This incredible amount of support astounds me. It's something I think, as a Yankee, we could sorely use in the North. We're often too busy being polite and letting everyone 'have alone time' that we're not there to support people in a time of loss... when they need others the most.
Also of note, the cemeteries down here are amazing. Nearly every tombstone or grave markers has a bouquet of silk flowers on it -and not faded ones from last year. Families often take turns bringing fresh unfaded flowers to put on the graves here. I think about the tombstones at home that often have nothing on them. I think of my northern relatives who have died and I don't even see their tombs yearly... some not since they were buried. Is it because we're in a hurry that we never stop to take care of our dead or is it some religious difference? It just makes me wonder.
Call this the "Bible Belt" and take whichever connotation you prefer, there is something to be said for religion that brings people closer together.
Anyhow, I discovered some endearing religious qualities while down here this time. While ignoring anyone saying, "they're just gonna go to hell," I realized that death down here has more meaning.
To put this in perspective, Southern funerals (especially black ones, but not only black ones from what I understand) are all-day 'events' (and I do not mean that term lightly). Funerals are busy to the point of lines extending outside and past the parking lots. EVERYONE stops for a funeral procession line of cars... it does not matter what side of the road you're on. Often times, the family involved spends the entire morning and afternoon dealing with the funeral to come home and find that other family members have prepared an entire feast. All mourners return from the funeral and burial service to the house to eat. This incredible amount of support astounds me. It's something I think, as a Yankee, we could sorely use in the North. We're often too busy being polite and letting everyone 'have alone time' that we're not there to support people in a time of loss... when they need others the most.
Also of note, the cemeteries down here are amazing. Nearly every tombstone or grave markers has a bouquet of silk flowers on it -and not faded ones from last year. Families often take turns bringing fresh unfaded flowers to put on the graves here. I think about the tombstones at home that often have nothing on them. I think of my northern relatives who have died and I don't even see their tombs yearly... some not since they were buried. Is it because we're in a hurry that we never stop to take care of our dead or is it some religious difference? It just makes me wonder.
Call this the "Bible Belt" and take whichever connotation you prefer, there is something to be said for religion that brings people closer together.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
From Yesterday
Here are some of the pictures that I took yesterday while we were floating down the Chipola River.
Obviously, it was beautiful.
Obviously, it was beautiful.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
River Trip
Just a quick post.
Today I went out with my Uncle and youngest cousin and floated down the river. We had a wonderful time today. We must have floated for three hours down a creek and into a river. It was really relaxing, and I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute of it.
I will post a few images of some of the really great trees which were overhanging the creek and perhaps a short video of the great time we had.
Tomorrow, we're heading up to the lake, and I'm really looking forward to it. I don't know if I'll have internet access, so the rest of my posts may be posted belatedly after I return.
I should probably take a second here to note that I'm really enjoying my Aunt and Uncle's hospitality. It's been great spending time with them, and I'm honestly relaxing here. It has been pointed out to me that this blog could be taken wrongly on their part, so I want to take a second to clear that up - I'm not mocking them or their lifestyle down here. I'm honestly just blogging to remark on the funny and unexpected differences between the north, where I've been raised, and the south. They're very different places and because of this, northerners and southerners lead different lifestyles and have different values. They're also sometimes very similar places... and that's comforting too.
You can't choose family, but if I could, I'd still choose this one.
Today I went out with my Uncle and youngest cousin and floated down the river. We had a wonderful time today. We must have floated for three hours down a creek and into a river. It was really relaxing, and I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute of it.
I will post a few images of some of the really great trees which were overhanging the creek and perhaps a short video of the great time we had.
Tomorrow, we're heading up to the lake, and I'm really looking forward to it. I don't know if I'll have internet access, so the rest of my posts may be posted belatedly after I return.
I should probably take a second here to note that I'm really enjoying my Aunt and Uncle's hospitality. It's been great spending time with them, and I'm honestly relaxing here. It has been pointed out to me that this blog could be taken wrongly on their part, so I want to take a second to clear that up - I'm not mocking them or their lifestyle down here. I'm honestly just blogging to remark on the funny and unexpected differences between the north, where I've been raised, and the south. They're very different places and because of this, northerners and southerners lead different lifestyles and have different values. They're also sometimes very similar places... and that's comforting too.
You can't choose family, but if I could, I'd still choose this one.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Getting Lost
Mom wanted to visit old friends from high school which she hasn't seen in 34 years. She also managed to find the house of her old math teacher. HE RECOGNIZED HER! I kind of hope in 34 years, however, I don't have to worry about old students showing up at my house unexpectedly.
Anyway, we managed to get lost at one point. There are A LOT of dirt roads here. In fact, I'd venture to wager that probably every 4th or 5th road one passes down here is simply an old clay dirt road. This is fairly alarming for someone like me who really appreciates pavement.
The following are the peanut fields we encountered along our dirt road.
Here's an idea of what the roads look like.
And here's us discovering pavement.
Anyway, we managed to get lost at one point. There are A LOT of dirt roads here. In fact, I'd venture to wager that probably every 4th or 5th road one passes down here is simply an old clay dirt road. This is fairly alarming for someone like me who really appreciates pavement.
The following are the peanut fields we encountered along our dirt road.
Here's an idea of what the roads look like.
And here's us discovering pavement.
Boiled Peanuts
Just a quick entry this morning.
Yesterday, we went and bought boiled peanuts. You can't get these up north. In fact, if I mentioned to most people up north that I ate boiled peanuts, they'd probably just look at me strangely and make a universal disgusted face. I suppose I should mention that Dothan, AL is the peanut capital of the U.S.
Anyway, they take green peanuts, before they ripen and harden in the ground, and boil them in a vat of salty water. When you eat them, they're soft, you bite the end of the peanut shell, sucking the salty water and juice out. After you pry it own, you eat the peanuts out, but they're soft too... not like a hard nut. The best way to describe them is like a salty type of bean. They still taste like peanuts, but without the richness of the roasted varieties. I find them a lot easier to eat, actually.
Of course, after you eat two quarts of them, you get a little thirsty, but take my word for it, they're good. You also can't get these babies up north... and if I could, I'd probably have some serious blood pressure issues due to the salt.
Anyway, we're doing a lot of visiting and seeing the sights around here. Dothan must have like 8 Waffle Houses... an IHop, several Sonics, two WalMarts, a mall, and various other signs of civilization. I can easily say that this area is larger than the home town. I can also easily say that pretty much every family owns at least one truck. Not sure why... since 4 wheel drive isn't necessary around here due to lack of snow, but I figure they must do a lot of hauling of something around here... so I keep my eyes peeled. Haven't heard any banjos yet.
Yesterday, we went and bought boiled peanuts. You can't get these up north. In fact, if I mentioned to most people up north that I ate boiled peanuts, they'd probably just look at me strangely and make a universal disgusted face. I suppose I should mention that Dothan, AL is the peanut capital of the U.S.
Anyway, they take green peanuts, before they ripen and harden in the ground, and boil them in a vat of salty water. When you eat them, they're soft, you bite the end of the peanut shell, sucking the salty water and juice out. After you pry it own, you eat the peanuts out, but they're soft too... not like a hard nut. The best way to describe them is like a salty type of bean. They still taste like peanuts, but without the richness of the roasted varieties. I find them a lot easier to eat, actually.
Of course, after you eat two quarts of them, you get a little thirsty, but take my word for it, they're good. You also can't get these babies up north... and if I could, I'd probably have some serious blood pressure issues due to the salt.
Anyway, we're doing a lot of visiting and seeing the sights around here. Dothan must have like 8 Waffle Houses... an IHop, several Sonics, two WalMarts, a mall, and various other signs of civilization. I can easily say that this area is larger than the home town. I can also easily say that pretty much every family owns at least one truck. Not sure why... since 4 wheel drive isn't necessary around here due to lack of snow, but I figure they must do a lot of hauling of something around here... so I keep my eyes peeled. Haven't heard any banjos yet.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Hands Free Cell Service
Another day spent at the house with family.
Today I went on a little shopping trip with my middle cousin. He's going to be a senior in high school, is pretty easy to talk to and laid back. We went shopping at an outdoor's store and walmart - he got some shirts and a fishing rod.
I realized today on the trip with him that Alabama probably doesn't have any cell phone laws requiring hands-free cell phones while driving. This isn't because of the lack of cell phone service, surprisingly. It's actually because these people have no problem driving side by side down the highway with their windows open, just yelling in conversation with each other going 60 miles an hour. Yeah, I was in the car with my cousin on a particularly busy stretch of the highway and he's talking to some guy through his rolled down window:
"Hey! How you doin?"
"Where you headed?"
"When you going to the lake next?"
"This is my cousin, Nicole."
"See ya, around!"
No blue tooth earpiece required.
I was just disappointed that I didn't get the opportunity yet to meet his one friend who I only know as "Turd." This kid is apparently so proud of his nickname, that he got it put on the front of his truck, up at the top of his windshield. I cannot promise pictures, but if he EVER stops by, I will be going covert ops if I must to snag a picture of this. The attempt will be made.
Other than this little 'nugget' today involved eating a lot of great food and seeing my Uncle Larry. I got a chance to try to fish out at the pond, but had no success. I will be trying again when we go to the lake.
Today I went on a little shopping trip with my middle cousin. He's going to be a senior in high school, is pretty easy to talk to and laid back. We went shopping at an outdoor's store and walmart - he got some shirts and a fishing rod.
I realized today on the trip with him that Alabama probably doesn't have any cell phone laws requiring hands-free cell phones while driving. This isn't because of the lack of cell phone service, surprisingly. It's actually because these people have no problem driving side by side down the highway with their windows open, just yelling in conversation with each other going 60 miles an hour. Yeah, I was in the car with my cousin on a particularly busy stretch of the highway and he's talking to some guy through his rolled down window:
"Hey! How you doin?"
"Where you headed?"
"When you going to the lake next?"
"This is my cousin, Nicole."
"See ya, around!"
No blue tooth earpiece required.
I was just disappointed that I didn't get the opportunity yet to meet his one friend who I only know as "Turd." This kid is apparently so proud of his nickname, that he got it put on the front of his truck, up at the top of his windshield. I cannot promise pictures, but if he EVER stops by, I will be going covert ops if I must to snag a picture of this. The attempt will be made.
Other than this little 'nugget' today involved eating a lot of great food and seeing my Uncle Larry. I got a chance to try to fish out at the pond, but had no success. I will be trying again when we go to the lake.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Successful Arrival
We made it. My bag was two pounds under the 50 pound limit.
I was aware that entry into another country was pending as we were taxiing out at the Atlanta airport. The plane wasn't exactly a puddle-jumper, but she certainly was not full. We were flying to Panama City Airport which is conveniently not listed as such but EBC... East Bay County - talk about confusing. Anyway, we're taxiing out when the flight attendant comes on, "We are preparing for departure for..." she looks down the aisle because she doesn't know where EBC is either. The passengers clue her in... "for Panama City, FL. In-flight time is estimated as 36 minutes." Strange estimate in there anyway... why not just say 35 minutes?
As we're preparing to land, all one can see for miles is nothing, what looks like ponds of water, and more nothing. I can see a strip... one landing strip in the distance and what looks like a pavilion next to it.
The landing was rough, but the runway was short. This is probably the largest plane they land here. There's only five gates at this airport and three baggage claims. As far as international airports go... while it was air conditioned and quite lovely, it was pretty much a pavilion. I don't expect long security lines on the flight back.
When we met my uncle, aunt, and my grandmother (who I will probably rant about later in a lengthy post), We hurry to the AC of the car and buzz into Panama City, proper for lunch. I saw no oil, media hounds. I saw blue sea and white beach and hotels and shopping. Sorry to disappoint.
Anyway, when we leave we drive through forests of Southern Pine. There's really no way to describe these forests to anyone who is not familiar with the area. These aren't dense wooded areas, but they do have a lot of trees. The problem is that the Southern Pine pretty much amounts to a toothpick with needles on top. My relatives explain that they grow groves of them here to be chopped down to make paper. They're really pathetic looking things... having come from areas which are well wooded with a variety of thick foliage... it's sort of like really tall Charlie Brown Trees in mass - not too many limbs.
Anyhow, we drove through about an hour of these with no cell phone service, pass several shanties which we joked about stopping to take pictures of, but never dared to stop the car. I'm not certain if we thought we'd offend the people actually residing in these shacks or if we were frightened they'd harm us. Some were just little wood huts really, while others resembled trailers that some tornado in a nearby state picked up and dropped off here... broken windows, missing walls - of course, maybe nobody lived in them... but we weren't about to find out.
Luckily, my Aunt and Uncle live in a really nice home which they built on a really nice lot up a really nice long driveway. They have two dogs that run to great us (an overweight black lab and a doberman) and an orange cat that hangs out on their screened in porch. They've got two paints and a pony grazing out at pasture, too.
There were some funny stories and good jokes... and a few classic southern moments involving cockroach killing and offering the remains to the dog, a pound cake being baked, sweet tea, and all manner of southern gossip that makes one wonder how far we've come since "Gone With the Wind," but I'm going to save some of the shinier gems for another time... preferably not 1AM.
Goodnight.
I was aware that entry into another country was pending as we were taxiing out at the Atlanta airport. The plane wasn't exactly a puddle-jumper, but she certainly was not full. We were flying to Panama City Airport which is conveniently not listed as such but EBC... East Bay County - talk about confusing. Anyway, we're taxiing out when the flight attendant comes on, "We are preparing for departure for..." she looks down the aisle because she doesn't know where EBC is either. The passengers clue her in... "for Panama City, FL. In-flight time is estimated as 36 minutes." Strange estimate in there anyway... why not just say 35 minutes?
As we're preparing to land, all one can see for miles is nothing, what looks like ponds of water, and more nothing. I can see a strip... one landing strip in the distance and what looks like a pavilion next to it.
The landing was rough, but the runway was short. This is probably the largest plane they land here. There's only five gates at this airport and three baggage claims. As far as international airports go... while it was air conditioned and quite lovely, it was pretty much a pavilion. I don't expect long security lines on the flight back.
When we met my uncle, aunt, and my grandmother (who I will probably rant about later in a lengthy post), We hurry to the AC of the car and buzz into Panama City, proper for lunch. I saw no oil, media hounds. I saw blue sea and white beach and hotels and shopping. Sorry to disappoint.
Anyway, when we leave we drive through forests of Southern Pine. There's really no way to describe these forests to anyone who is not familiar with the area. These aren't dense wooded areas, but they do have a lot of trees. The problem is that the Southern Pine pretty much amounts to a toothpick with needles on top. My relatives explain that they grow groves of them here to be chopped down to make paper. They're really pathetic looking things... having come from areas which are well wooded with a variety of thick foliage... it's sort of like really tall Charlie Brown Trees in mass - not too many limbs.
Anyhow, we drove through about an hour of these with no cell phone service, pass several shanties which we joked about stopping to take pictures of, but never dared to stop the car. I'm not certain if we thought we'd offend the people actually residing in these shacks or if we were frightened they'd harm us. Some were just little wood huts really, while others resembled trailers that some tornado in a nearby state picked up and dropped off here... broken windows, missing walls - of course, maybe nobody lived in them... but we weren't about to find out.
Luckily, my Aunt and Uncle live in a really nice home which they built on a really nice lot up a really nice long driveway. They have two dogs that run to great us (an overweight black lab and a doberman) and an orange cat that hangs out on their screened in porch. They've got two paints and a pony grazing out at pasture, too.
There were some funny stories and good jokes... and a few classic southern moments involving cockroach killing and offering the remains to the dog, a pound cake being baked, sweet tea, and all manner of southern gossip that makes one wonder how far we've come since "Gone With the Wind," but I'm going to save some of the shinier gems for another time... preferably not 1AM.
Goodnight.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Trip Preparations
As of this moment, plans are being settled for the trip to Alabama. I leave early Friday morning with my mother on a plane. We fly to Atlanta, then into Panama City, FL where my uncle and/or aunt will pick us up.
We are staying with them while we're down there. This could be a terror or a treat depending on my cousins who hold occasional temper-trantrums despite being over the age of 14.
I've begun the great process of packing. Delta limits luggage to 50 lbs. unless one wants to pay incredible fees. I'm presently trying to balance the luggage between the main bag and two carry-ons. This is a terrifically terrible task since I have no idea what to expect while down there; I haven't been down there in nine years. Undoubtedly, I will be visiting with relatives and some of Mom's old high school friends, but there will also be beach trips, time spent at Lake Eufala (spelling anyone?) and possible horseback riding. I wouldn't be surprised if several other unexpected adventures crop up between all of these expected incidents. When one speaks to my father (who is paying for the flight for me and conveniently not coming along) one gets the distinct feeling that it is normal to get arrested, hitch-hike with an alcoholic, or see old men wearing WWII helmets driving tractors without tires. I should quickly preface that my Aunt and Uncle and cousins are educated individuals here.
I have every intention of creating and updating this blog with interesting facts, stories, and possibly pictures over the course of the ten days spent in Alabama. Be prepared.
We are staying with them while we're down there. This could be a terror or a treat depending on my cousins who hold occasional temper-trantrums despite being over the age of 14.
I've begun the great process of packing. Delta limits luggage to 50 lbs. unless one wants to pay incredible fees. I'm presently trying to balance the luggage between the main bag and two carry-ons. This is a terrifically terrible task since I have no idea what to expect while down there; I haven't been down there in nine years. Undoubtedly, I will be visiting with relatives and some of Mom's old high school friends, but there will also be beach trips, time spent at Lake Eufala (spelling anyone?) and possible horseback riding. I wouldn't be surprised if several other unexpected adventures crop up between all of these expected incidents. When one speaks to my father (who is paying for the flight for me and conveniently not coming along) one gets the distinct feeling that it is normal to get arrested, hitch-hike with an alcoholic, or see old men wearing WWII helmets driving tractors without tires. I should quickly preface that my Aunt and Uncle and cousins are educated individuals here.
I have every intention of creating and updating this blog with interesting facts, stories, and possibly pictures over the course of the ten days spent in Alabama. Be prepared.
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