Near the end of September I left Brazil (likely temporarily) to visit a couple friends in the United States and visit my mom back in western Canada. My first stop on the trail was Miami, where I stayed in a great hostel called Generator Miami. At Generator my roommates were two young ladies from Norway, a young man from India and a lady from Barbados on shopping trips in Miami.
After two days with the (astronomically) high prices of Miami, I made my way further north to visit Sara, who I met in Jerusalem in 2019 while traveling and reporting in Israel and Palestine.
So, Back To The Journey…
This trip involved taking a Flixbus from Miami to Orlando and connecting to Daytona Beach. I was trying to visit my friends Zach and Meghan Foxley and their family but our schedules didn’t match up as they’re busy doing the Addams Family at community theater in Melbourne, Florida.
In Daytona Beach I had a chance to check out the track and eat at an IHOP.
Welcome to the Middle of Nowhere at 3 a.m.
After a couple days I then took a Greyhound north via a connecting bus stop to Valdosta, Georgia. This dropped me off at a Citgo station where there had been a murder several days before. Safety first!
All the restaurants were closed and I crossed the street to stand outside an IHOP, sadly not 24 hours. A man approached me slouched over with a large item in his hand. It was an Arizona iced tea and not a gun thankfully. He introduced himself, went over his heart problems and need for food. I gave him a few dollars and he went over to celebrate with his buddies by Waffle House about how much drugs they could now buy. At least he didn’t pull a heater on me.
After eventually finding my way to a grotty Days Inn, I was put in the furthest second floor room available and lugged my massively heavy suitcase (thanks Joice for the lovely suitcase!) and two large bags to the room.
Tifton Ahoy!
I then managed to sleep before having to wake up early for the bus the next morning to visit Sarah in the small Georgia town of Tifton, Georgia. Here’s the two of us at the Tifton restaurant Surcheros a couple days into my trip.
In any case, Sara showed up to get me outside the Church’s Chicken / bus stop in Tifton and we headed back to her place. I napped in the guest bedroom and then the week of fun started!
In the course of the week Sara and I:
Met about 200 people, including the current mayor, community icon Jack Stone and many other super friendly members of the community like Hoyt, Jerry and Danny.
Went to yoga class and local community exercise class at the Leroy Rogers senior center.
Saw an airport ceremony and got to check out high-priced private jets.
Visited the fine folks at Brother Charlie’s Thrift Shop and hat shopped for Sara (she likes hats. Just a bit).
Visited Sara’s friend and relative JoAnn who showed us around her amazing garden and told us about her work in the cotton business as a cotton broker and how the cotton gin process works.
Went to a speakeasy country music concert and Halloween event.
Went to a veteran’s museum, train museum and outdoor concert.
Went to a classic music concert at the local agricultural college.
Talked a lot about life, religion, theology, photography, current events and world affairs.
Went to a pizza party with Sara’s neighbors Sherra and Mariann.
Visited Sara’s sister at the care home.
Went to the store to buy me an Atlanta Braves shirt.
More About My Time In Tifton
When I first entered Tifton there was a giant flag that said “The South’s Gunna Do It Again” and a giant guy in a cowboy hat spit chew next to my foot and said “whatcha doin’ here boy?”
I’m joking, I’m joking.
Georgia folks are incredibly friendly and welcoming, similar to Brazil and Georgia (the country). Everybody I met in Tifton (with the exception of the cashier who completed my purchase for my Braves shirt) was extremely friendly, interesting to talk to and unique.
I don’t say that lightly.
There are so many people who talked to me, asked curious questions, welcomed me to town, showed me around their businesses and welcomed me into the area. It was extremely friendly and relaxed.
Sara and I had many great conversations and went to her church on Sunday as well.
Everybody I met defied any easy labels of politics or other things that people imagine about the South, and they were independent thinkers, knowledgeable, funny and actually quite informed about the world.
They also really like to talk. Southern folks love to go over what’s going on and talk about various things, at least definitely in a small town!
I’m pretty sure Sara (at her young age) has a more active life than me! We did more in a week than I usually do in a year, proving how much you can do in a day. I also admire the brave stand Sara took against the dangerous COVID-mRNA “vaccine” last year which led to a very tense standoff with her church and even being banned for a time (since rescinded).
My week was a great time and I’m very glad I visited. I’m extremely thankful for Sara’s hospitality and look forward to visiting again one day.
Addendum:
Great to get a view of America through your eyes and lens. Very cool people with interesting lives and not afraid to speak their minds... and looks so tidy and well kept - why do you have so much luggage??
Hope to see you back in Cowichan!