My in-laws used to live around Greenville, SC. I felt so out of place there… I like to travel and see new places, for example, once I walked around in Kyoto (Japan) far from the tourist area, and I couldn’t read any street signs, etc., but everybody was so friendly. I could see myself living there if I had to. But not so in SC.

On a Sunday afternoon we drove to downtown Greenville. It was pretty, but everything was closed. Only a cafe (or something that looked like one) was open, and a bunch of youngsters were inside. When it started to rain, we walked into the cafe. As we were walking in, a young guy at the door asked me something like “how may I help you?” or “what are you looking for?” (I can’t remember exactly). I just said we wanted a cup of coffee. We then sat at a table, and only then, to my horror, I realized there was some sort of protestant religious event going on.

So, that place wasn’t open for business. Nothing is on a Sunday. We got up and left. BTW, my wife is Asian and I look southern Mediterranean.

I was there twice in summertime (it was too humid and I got bit by mosquitoes both times) and once in winter (all the vegetation turns brown/yellow and it’s awfully cold). Main avenues look like highways, not pleasant to walk around… I hated the place. Unless you are (and look like) a religious WASP, you’ll probably hate it too.

Then there was an incident at a snookers/billiards place, but this post is too long already…