Lately, Savannah Edition

This post is a few weeks late, but I finally got to it! Savannah expects the recognition, proud little city that it is.

Despite having traveled a lot over the course of my life, the frequency is low. I always think of trips as being some kind of huge ordeal—scoping out flights, hotels, packing, etc. When I finally decided to pull the trigger on a $180 (round-trip) ticket to Savannah at the end of March, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I've made in a while. I rented a car and drove (for the first time in months) around the city I occupied for 3 years with the windows down and country music blaring for five whole days. Needless to say, I found my happy place again (and I'm happy to report that I've brought it back to NYC with me.)

This trip was my first to Savannah since I graduated from my Master's program in June 2012. I don't really know what I was waiting for. I still have so many friends that are living and thriving there. The weather is (at least this time of year) preferable to the wasteland of winter that was New York 3 weeks ago. There's a nearby beach. There's really good and affordable food. There's public drinking. Hello... Earth to Sarah!

There are so many things I forgot that I could even miss: The healthy ratio of local to chain-run shops, the hat tips (or light finger taps) of passing men. I miss the expected (but no less magical) delight of a simultaneously sun and shade-drenched square. I miss the steady pace of a Southern sidewalk amble, the hot sun and cool grass, and more importantly: the ability to enjoy a cup of champagne in a public park over a friendly match of bocce (Jane is really good. Hanna, not so much. Insert tongue-sticking-out emoji here.)

Here's the strange bit. Unlike returning to a hometown, Savannah feels like a place that remains entirely my own. There is no parents' house at which to crash. There are no obligations or people I'd rather not run into (ahem, high school). In the end, this little trip turned into an entirely casual parade of favorites: favorite people, favorite places, and favorite passtimes. It was a break, not a trek. A breather, but not really a vacation. It truly feels like I still have one foot in the door there, and I've come to the conclusion that I have no intention of removing it. Do you ever feel this way about a place you don't live?

Now, I thought I'd make some cute little map for the post, but "ain't nobody got time for that!" Also, it wouldn't be that useful. So instead, I've made a Savannah Pinterest board! (It coordinates ever so nicely with our New York places map, don't you think?) Bear with me. As always, it's a work in progress. As for these pictures, find more on my Instagram @notetosarah.