My sister and I have been doing a little traveling lately.  One of our favorite places to visit is Savannah, Georgia.  To me it is the ideal city in which to live.  It is so picturesque.  As many of you probably know, there is a square every so many blocks, and most of the houses look like something out of “Gone with the Wind.”  The wrought iron work is incredible, so much so, that I have taken hundreds of pictures of just gates and railings.

But, the thing I love best about Savannah and all the other Southern cities I have visited is the food.  In fact, I was so impressed, that my postcard to family and friends said nothing more than “You would not believe what these people can do to a chicken.”  Strangely enough, although I found Paula Deen’s restaurant to be very good, the best place to eat in Savannah, in my opinion, is Mrs. Wilkes’ Boarding House.  It is family style dining, and I cannot even relate to you how much food they lay out before you with one dish tasting better than the next.

But aside from all this, what I found to be the most amazing aspect of the city was the hospitality and kindness that these Southern people offered you.  Although I love South Philadelphia, where I was born and raised, I would move to Savannah in a minute.  In particular, the men are awesome.  I have never experienced such manners in my life.  My sister, who manages to fall in every city we have visited, tripped and fell in Savannah.  Seemingly out of nowhere came five men to help her up.  And, I must tell you, I never saw the likes of it in my life and am certain that, if I had that on film, I would be a winner on “America’s Funniest Home Videos.”  Knowing all this about Savannah, I still was faced with a very embarrassing situation.

My sister and I were souvenir shopping, and I had two shopping bags completely full.  While my sister continued looking at every object in the store, I told her that I was going to go outside and sit on one of the benches and wait for her.  When I walked through the door with two bags in hand, my idea of the quaint little city that I love so was completely shattered.  A southern gent ran up to me and tried to take my two shopping bags.  I was horrified!  This has never even happened to me back home.  Well, little did he know that I was from South Philly and prepared for such an occurrence.  I took my handbag and batted him with it a few times.  In one split second my faith in the South was shattered, just going to show that it is the same no matter where you go.  “Get out,” I shouted, to which he replied “Oh, I am sorry ma’am, I was just going to carry your packages to your car.”  Stunned and relieved, I managed to say, “Oh, I’m sorry, sir, I thought I was being mugged.”  Although he gazed at me with a puzzled stare, he still kindly took my two bags and walked me over to a bench.  He tipped his hat, smiled and told me to enjoy my day.

Until this day, I truly believe that he had no idea of what I meant by “being mugged.”