2nd Day - 12th February 2022

The meeting yesterday at the hotel was very warm. Tom and Rose hadn't seen each other for two years due to the pandemic. And even though technology now makes video conferences a breeze, it's not the same. After 1 hour, we say our goodbyes and go to sleep. After all, both of us have been on our feet for more than 24 hours, and Rose also has a cold.

We actually managed to sleep until 8 a.m. despite the jet lag. I accompany Tom to breakfast, which he insists on having. I had completely forgotten how bad it is in a hotel like this. Full of industrial products and endless plastic. My camping knife set comes in handy again. That's my contribution against this madness. Even if I get laughed at a little.

Almost on time at nine, the four of us drive off in the Dodge that Tom rented for us. We just manage to fit the suitcases in. Rose has three of them. I shake my head a little. How did she manage to get here alone with all of these? But she always manages everything.

Our first destination is Juliette. Scenes for the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" were filmed at a café there. The tiny town is already quite crowded with guests when we arrive at 10:30 a.m. But that's nothing compared to the state it's in when we leave. It's incredible how many people come here.

We sign our names on a list and are then called when they open at 11:00 a.m. And we easily get a table and the efficient waitress makes snappy remarks (me: what is sweet tea? - she: tea that is sweet) and brings us our food. Southern food. I opt for the vegetarian version. Fried okra that I've never eaten before, collard greens that I've never eaten before, and cornbread that I've never eaten before. While the okra immediately hits the spot for me, it takes a while for me to warm up to the collard greens. The cornbread is tasty but quite dry. You drink sweet tea from mason jars full of ice. It's incredible how calmly everyone here handles the crowds.

As we leave, I'm very grateful to Rose. She suggested this place, and I would have never thought of it on my own. A real experience to start with. If this continues, it will become a mega event here. But there will be a damper in the evening, as I later find out.

The drive to Savannah is totally relaxed. There's hardly any traffic on the interstate, and Tom says he's never driven so relaxed before. Unthinkable around San Diego.

We first head to the airport. There, I have myself added as a second driver at the car rental counter, which requires personal presence. I wasn't there when we picked up the car in Atlanta. And we didn't want to go back to that huge airport. The Savannah airport is absolutely amazing. Small but more than impressive with carpeting. I've never seen a more beautiful one.

After that, we go to check in at the motel. It's really typical American. Park in front of the room and with the usual amenities. Tamy, the manager, has relatives in Germany but has never been there. She's afraid to fly. And she's never done it before. When I tell her about my home country, she says, maybe you'll have to change your mind sometime.

An hour later, we take an Uber downtown. There's a lot going on in Savannah, it's Saturday evening after all. We find a place outside by the river and have a drink. It's enjoyable with a pleasant 18°C. It's incredibly interesting to just watch the people, some of whom look very interesting. For me as a European, it's noticeable that no matter how big someone's behind is, they still wear leggings. Jen says it's completely normal here. "They don't care."

Finding a restaurant isn't that easy today. There are huge lines everywhere, and we end up entering an Indian restaurant where at least 2 tables are available. The waiter mumbles something that I don't understand, and neither do the others, and leaves us standing there. The typically American overfriendliness hasn't made its way here yet. After 15 minutes, they finally manage to clear a table for us, and we sit down. I order butter chicken, and it's by far the worst Indian food I've had in a long time. The rice is only lukewarm, and the portion is American sized but disappointing in taste. Very tomato-y, a little spicy, but otherwise it tastes like very little. No wonder there was no line here. The service isn't great either, and when we leave, the half-eaten food has been sitting in front of us for half an hour. That's why it took so long in the beginning, they simply can't clear the tables while people are eating. Nevertheless, we leave a tip - you have to be hit with food or have immediate signs of poisoning for that not to happen. Tom and Jen laugh when I tell them that. "Well, you don't live here." That's true, of course.

The ride back with Uber matches the food. Unlike the friendly and talkative driver on the way there, who was from Egypt and loves German soccer, Reuben is not interested in any conversation. Rose tries to make small talk at first, but gives up after a few minutes. He simply doesn't answer her. I can't help but laugh internally. I think this is the first time I've experienced it. Rose is a bubbling source of conversation, and everyone usually enjoys talking to her. But not Reuben.

I insist and tell her not to tip him. You do that with Uber after the ride through the app, so even Tom and Jen don't object this time. Although I think they would have still given something. But Rose is understanding because of his ignorance towards her and does as I've told her. Now I really have to laugh. We're all in bed by 10:30 p.m., and my night ends at 4:00 a.m. It's already 10 a.m. in Germany.