The South Hath Charmed Me

It's only been four days since we last caught up, Blog, but it seems like so much longer. I guess when you have all sorts of things going on even the short time of a few days ago seems almost like a lifetime. We've made it to the south. Somehow the dialect has changed along the interstate that brought us here. I got out of the car in West Virginia yesterday and was suddenly surrounded with a charming drawl. Where did this come from? I shouldn't be surprised since all the learners I would talk to at Capella were from the south, most notably North Carolina. Still, it's different to hear it in person. It's also different to be driving through these mountains and hills. Andy says this is what Scotland looks like, so we put on some bagpipe tunes as we wound through tiny towns and past rundown shacks yesterday as we were getting into our first stop of Galax, Virginia. I've never been to a place like this. It's weird, Blog.



Look at all that crazy weirdness. It's all over the place, Blog. I can't even handle it.

You know what else is weird? Kids, Blog. They are weird in an amazing way. They hold no judgement. Only awe and wonder and joy. Today I hugged roughly seven children at once. It was so much fun. They all wanted to high five me and touch my hands. They all knew my name and said their sweet little farewells and "bah's" to me as they filed out of the gym after we were done. "Open your eyes, be energy wise". Think of that phrase with a southern accent. Now think of it being shouted at you by hundreds of tiny voices with a southern accent. Can't. Even. Handle. It.

Then there was the little girl who raised her hand in response to Andy asking what they thought the show was going to be about. "I'm gonna sleep over at my grandma's house." Oh man, Blog. It's so cute I could cry.

Tonight I'm in Mount Airy, NC. It's actually my first night in North Carolina since last night we stayed in Virginia. Did you know that Mount Airy is the birthplace of Andy Griffith? Well now you do. You'd know it if you ever ended up here, Blog. Everything downtown is Mayberry Toys, Mayberry Cafe, Mayberry Museum... Who knew a TV town would make such an impact on the names of a real town's businesses? There's also an Andy Griffith Parkway and an Andy Griffith museum. Andy (Browers, not Griffith) and I wanted to check it out tomorrow, but we're off to another part of the state for some last minute shows. Fortunately we did a tiny bit of exploring and found a Mexican restaurant across the way with an indecipherable name and $3.00 margaritas. I learned that "Texas Style" means an extra shot of tequila (not the hard way, thankfully). I also learned that Mexican restaurants in Mount Airy, North Carolina are the bomb diggity yo.

But I have to admit that while driving through these beautiful hills and allowing myself to be charmed by the accents, it's not home here. I miss Minneapolis and seeing my friends in person and not over Facebook. It just takes getting used to I guess. I'm looking forward to the day when I've settled into this very unsettled life.

For now, I'll continue to figure out how to boil eggs in hotel rooms.

Until then, more shows and children this week and then off to Wilmington for Andy's birthday. It's going to be a good one. I'll keep you updated on any mechanical bull adventures we run into, Blog.