I have spent most of my life in Southern California and Nevada. I was used to the desert and snow and of course that flaming heat. However, when I was 13 years old I decided to go and live with my mom and where did she live? Why Savannah, Georgia. Well safe to say Savannah, Georgia is a vastly different culture compared to California or Nevada for that matter and I never thought any other place could ever replace California in my heart. Well, after I lived in Savannah for almost five years California got replace with Savannah for five reasons.
1. Green, green, nothing but green!
Just from the plane ride I could tell Georgia was going to be vastly different from the California I knew and loved. For one as the plane reached Georgia and I looked outside I was shocked by how it was green. Oh my gosh I have never seen so much green in all of my life! It literately took my breath away as I kept exclaiming to my sisters telling them to look at this green forest disguised as a state. I was further shocked when I actually saw Savannah and the city did not consume the green but rather it seemed to grow along with the trees. Coming from Southern California you hardly saw anything green except for the every once in awhile fields of lemon and orange trees or the berry bushes.
I was used to desert and bustling cities and streets not this green state. However, once I got used to it I never wanted to leave. I loved how there were forests I could go through and explore or take pictures of beautiful tress and flowers that are set in a beautiful scenery. Being surrounded by all this nature just filled me with this lightness and slowed me down immensely. It made me stop and just enjoy what was around me. Which in Southern California was hard to do with how much the cities always seemed to be on the move.
2. People smile and talk to you here.
From school to the everyday people in the streets they welcomed me and treated me like family. I would be lost and someone would come up to me and give me directions. I mean heck even the homeless were nice! This seriously threw me for a loop coming from California where if the person was not family, friend, or an acquaintance and they smiled at you or started talking to you then they were a pervert or they wanted something. That is not to say there are not people like that in Savannah, but your first thought is not to run right away. The people here generally just want to help you or talk to you without seeking something. Eventually the people's politeness and generosity starts to infect you and soon you find yourself doing the same for others.
3. The city's history is everywhere.
Savannah's history is enriched into practically every aspect of the city. Now as an avid lover of history I was in pure heaven! Savannah despite being modern preserves it's history by keeping buildings that have been around since the 1730s, keeping the cemeteries, artwork, building style, some of the roads, and traditions. You are literately walking and breathing in the history of Savannah with every step. You can visit where battles happened, old forts, cemeteries where composers and founders were buried, and even where movies happened. Savannah's history is not just in the 1700s but even in the recent years as books, TV shows, and movies took place in this rich city. If you are a historic buff Savannah has plenty of history both modern and old to keep you satisfied from River Street to Abercorn Street.
4. The food! Oh gosh, the food!
Now let me tell you there is nothing like a homemade meal especially when you are far from home. And Savannah is packed full of restaurants that can offer you a home cooked meal. But wait there is more! If you want something Chinese they have you covered! Feeling like some Indian food then look no further then Pakwan Indian Cuisine and Taste of India. If you are craving some sushi Savannah has you covered in tenfold from Sushi Time Towa to the recently opened restaurant The Vault. They have Soul Food, fried food, seafood, Greek Food (to die for!), good old american food with burgers and fries, and food inspired by video games (I am looking at you Chromatic Dragon). And the desserts? I just I could spend just a whole article on the dessert places in Savannah. But to make it short and sweet you are covered! Seriously though there is literately a chocolate bar! And the ever famous Leopold's Ice Cream! Well safe to say Savannah fills my love for food and is definitely one of the reasons she has my heart.
5. There is always something to do.
Savannah while a pretty decent size city still has that small town feel, but without the lack of things to do. In fact there is so much to do in Savannah. For me as book lover I love going to Barnes and Noble at the Oglethorpe Mall and just read. Or heading downtown on a girls night and eating lots of good food and walking down river street (hey it can be a workout). Or if you are 21 and older going to one of the many bars and meeting new people or potential hookups.
But in all seriousness there really something for everyone to do. If you love art there galleries and museums filled with art that you could stare at for hours (well at least till they close). You feeling nerdy and want to play video games or read comics but your parents are telling you to get out of the house well you could stop by Planet Fun, Savannah Comics, Morningstar Games, or the Chromatic Dragon (they have food and drinks come on guys). For the book nerds there are plenty of spots around Savannah who sell books or even allow you to curl up drink some coffee and relax with a good book. There are movie theaters, malls, candy shops, stores, and parks. There are festivals and parades that happen such as the Jazz Festival, the Saint Patrick's Parade, or the Gay Pride Parade. Want to go to the beach? There's Tybee Island. And there are plenty of tours to really get to know Savannah and are also just a fun thing to go and experience. There really is so much you can do from downtown to going to a local game to being part of a paranormal experience or just enjoying the scenery. It has never been a dull moment for me at Savannah and I enjoy it thoroughly.
Savannah has a place in my heart simple as that. How can it not? Sure it is humid and the weather is bipolar, but the environment catches hold of you and does not let you go. I will never get tired of the people or the food or its rich history. That is why even though I ended up moving back to California a year ago I still come back to Savannah during the summer to reconnect with the city that has my heart.
