Colonial Williamsburg

Friday 04.06. - Williamsburg - Waynesboro

The day begins with a tour of the so-called Colonial Williamsburg. It's great. You can see 88 original buildings (renovated/restored) from the inside. In total, there are around 500 buildings to see there. We chose the cheap tour for $2 (yes, only $2!), which is ultimately just a bus ticket from the Visitor Center to this open-air museum of a special kind. If we had wanted to see the houses from the inside, or gardens, etc., it would have cost $37, but also certainly more time.

Our shuttle drops us off in front of the Governor's Palace and we walk in the shade of the large old trees on Duke of Gloucester Road, which is a car-free museum street.

Costumed people stand in front of shops, drive ox carts, play craftsmen, some sit in a carriage and are driven along the street.

That is very well done and absolutely not kitschy. Each of the people can be approached and happily explains what it was like back then.

Williamsburg was the capital of the British colony of Virginia at the end of the 17th century. There were 1,800 people living there, 52% of whom were black, of which 99% were slaves. The city was located on a tobacco plantation, which served the settlers as a good trade commodity with their home country.

While we walk on the paved road today, they didn't have any pavement back then and walked knee-deep in mud after rain. In heat (like today), it was unbearably dusty.

The small stores in the old houses are air-conditioned and we cool off there from time to time.

Then we board the shuttle bus again and drive back to the Visitor Center to get the car. It's 12:00 p.m. and we spent almost 3 hours in Colonial Williamsburg - absolutely worth seeing and well done. The sun shines mercilessly and it's 96°F (36 degrees Celsius).

We drive to the shopping center from yesterday evening again, because it's on the way, and take a break there for an hour. I find an L.L.Bean Outlet and some things I need. Also Maidenform and there are two more bags in the car - just from me.

We drive on I-64 west to move back into the mountains. It's empty in Waynesboro. A soulless small town. We only find the Quality Inn by chance. At $65 + tax, it's slightly more expensive than yesterday and in a completely bleak environment. There's actually a small shopping complex across the street, but only with stores that nobody needs. In the CVS Pharmacy, I at least find water. We sit in front of the hotel on plastic chairs above the main road and in front of the dirty, empty hotel pool, from which three Indians loudly chip off the tiles. Just like in Bombay: Always sitting cross-legged with a hammer and a chisel.

After sunset, it gets dark and we go to bed.

Dinner is canceled.