Hubby had a conference in North Carolina, it just so happens it was over spring break. I had thought it would be fun for all of us to go, but in the end we decided it would be better (and cheaper) for just me to tag along and leave the kids with the grandparents. Couldn’t have been a better decision. We were right downtown, where it is a corporate world. Most stores and fast food places were only open from 8 am to 5 pm, and no fun places to take the kids (except one museum). Any ways, back to the beginning.
Saturday night after the Priesthood session of General Conference, we dropped the kids at their grandparents house. F and I got a good night sleep before being up at 4 am – if that is a good night sleep! We had two flights to get us into Charlotte, on our first flight the cabin pressure changed and my ear clogged up, and also a few masks dropped down for some passengers. After our second flight, my ear had not acclimated properly and didn’t adjust for the whole next day. Really made me feel off and strange not being able to hear well out of one ear, it drove me crazy!
We arrived in Charlotte just after 2 pm, took a taxi to the hotel, checked-in and went to walk around the city. We found it interesting that most places were closed and destitute. There was a shopping center across the street that had a few restaurants that were open, so we ate dinner at Vida Cantina. We devoured a wonderful meal consisting of fresh guacamole made table side. The next morning, F was up and off to his conference. I slept. He came up to the room during his first break (10 am) and couldn’t believe I was still in bed, my reply… “It’s only 8 am at home.” I spent the time that F was in his conference, just walking around the city. There are so many skyscrapers and not much green space. 1 did find one little park by the library. It had several sign posts with the names of famous authors which are also cities – see picture to get the full idea. I found a little spot on a bench near the water feature and read.
F and I were amazed at how during the regular business hours, the city was bustling with people in the corporate attire, I felt out of place in shorts. Everyone was in a hurry and many of the large buildings had armed guards posted outside the main doors. I enjoyed seeing the city and began to feel quite comfortable with knowing where things were. I did spend most of the time walking around, not really shopping (there wasn’t much). Monday night, F and I met up with one of 'F'’s former co-workers who also was in attendance for dinner at Champions Sports Grill at the Marriott Hotel. It was the night of the NCAA Basketball Championship, so hence the sports grill We all shared one order of the Triple Play (one dozen Buffalo wings, a half order of Champions cheese fries & three “Sliders”) Definitely enough for the three of us.
Tuesday, more walking around and reading by the pool. I found online that Charlotte has a walking art tour around the city. Packed up my camera, and put on my shoes, grabbed my list of address and set out. It was fun to walk around and see the art work around the city. I even took F around to some of them later that night after we had dinner, which was at Mert’s Heart and Soul. F had heard of this place on the food network. It was great! The cornbread, delicious. We did have trouble finding it…it is a little hole in the wall place off the main streets. Before dinner and right after (well, F had to leave a little early) F’s meetings for the day, we went to the museum to go to their Mummies of the World. It was awesome, to learn about mummification and see mummies that have been discovered in various parts of the world. Well worth it!
Wednesday, last day. When we got to the airport, we had extra time before our flight, so we grabbed lunch at the local fast food chain (they were only open during the day in the city, so this was the only time we could go together), Bojangles Chicken and Bisquits. Nothing like some southern fried chicken with big buttery bisquits. Kept me filled for a few days afterwards! Thanks to F for wanting me to tag along and a big thanks to the grandparents for taking on three kids for us!! Kids did have a great time being with grandparents. The plan was for them to stay at our house, but the kids wanted to be at grandma and grandpa’s house. I hope they at least missed us a little because I missed them a lot!
Effervescence
Writer’s Desk
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