Gated Communities in South Carolina

I m spending my second winter month on Hilton Head SC island, this time I m working harder to get off this island to find some real Southerners.

I m doing just OK.

I spent a 3 day weekend in Charleston SC – once the cultural capital of the South.

The city and surrounding areas are booming, population doubling and tripling. Charleston looks like Boston MA…. unfortunately the city now seems to be populated by Yuppies from Boston and other North Eastern places . Lots and lots of healthy, good looking folks, just not Southern folks.

Fort Sumpter was shut down. But the Comfederate History Museum was open and staffed by two lovely Southern women – we hit it off!

I m 2 for 2 with Anglican Church services. I attended a service in a historic Charleston SC Anglican Church – racially integrated but exclusively Southern, great Black gospel music, no bad Lib or homo politics. I made some new friends and business connections.

It does look like gentrification of Northeasterbers is pushing out Black Southerners and just Southerners out of Charleston SC.

I m back on Hilton Head Island and making an effort to meet some permanent residents. I m doing a little better.

My best Southern experience was finding a regular Southern bar in Buford SC near a Marine airbase – good regular folks. I hit it off with these locals.

It s really tough to win friends and make a huge difference as a tourist.

Plus, this Island is a gated community with signed threatening $1,000 fines and prison for littering!

I ll try to spread sone rumors that the invading hordes of Central American migrant invaders might ….

Litter!