Savannah: A University & An Opportunity

An institution for higher learning with a beautiful campus located on a salt water estuary could be an attractive endeavor for a student seeking not only an exceptional education, but the camaraderie associated with attending a small campus along with the vision of hope, success, friendships, and perhaps even love.  Savannah, Georgia, home to this amazing historically black university which is also the oldest historically black university in the state - a detail hard to overlook.  Savannah, the oldest city in the U.S., was established in 1733 on the Savannah River.  As Georgia's fifth-largest city, it attracts millions of visitors annually.  Known for it cobblestone streets, parks, and historic buildings, no wonder it might also attract students to its proud university.  My husband and I are both graduates of Savannah State University (SSU) where we fell in love, married, and still proudly serve as ambassadors for our alma mater.  While we now live near Atlanta, we visit Savannah regularly:  for homecoming activities and opportunities to reconnect with friends or just go to the beach at Tybee Island for relaxation and recreation.  Visitors, and so do we, enjoy the Savannah Riverboat, professionally operated by the River Street Riverboat Company.  It's a great way to cruise the river, enjoy a delicious meal and great music.  For those not familiar with Savannah, the Old Town Trolley Tours are fantastic.  These are only two examples of the city's assets.  Definitely recommend a getaway to this Atlantic seaport city where large cruise ships will perhaps some day grace the area.  With Savannah historic districts, visitors experience all the offerings of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States - designated by the U.S. government in 1966.  And...during your trip, consider planning a visit to the lovely campus of SSU, widely known as the "University by the Sea."  Definitely encourage parents and students to research and examine this university whose motto is, "You can get anywhere from here."  Its programs, courses, teaching, student performance, scholarship and service are worth the consideration.

A Town Called Senoia

My husband and I were watching television one evening when a special came on about a small country town located not too far from us called Senoia, Georgia; located just southeast of Atlanta.  Its total area is 5.4 square miles.  At the 2010 U.S. census, there were 3,307 people residing there.  Living so close to Senoia and never having been there, after watching the television special, we decided to visit.  We found a quaint little town, seemingly frozen in time (reference the pictures found in this post.) We found it to be simplistic and leisurely – a great escape from the fast-paced lifestyle of the larger nearby cities. The citizens there are proud of their historic downtown, museums, antique treasures strewn throughout, their unique restaurants, even a race track.  In fact, Southern Living Magazine chose Senoia as the site of its 2010 and 2012 Idea House. These houses are designer showcases of the finest trends in home design and furnishings.  We certainly enjoyed our visit.

Sweetness in Color

Even in the midst of a rainy week, my husband and I still found a way to press forward and find some “liquid sunshine” anyway. We started by an enjoyable trip to the farmers market.  It was nice to see the incoming Autumn beauties being placed among the plants and flowers.  The fruit was nice also.  Always a great trip to one of Georgia’s nine state farmer’s markets located just south of Atlanta.  The fruits and vegetables were beautiful.

Table Service at the Market

After a terrific time at Georgia’s State Farmer’s Market in Forest Park, located just south of Atlanta, my husband and I drove over to Oakwood Cafe, found right inside the Market.  We enjoyed a delicious lunch.  The market’s abundance of vegetables and fruits enables the cafe to serve fresh produce year-round.  The veggie plates we ordered were scrumptious.  They also serve breakfast; we certainly made a mental note of that.  Visits to the market and the cafe made us forget all about the rainy day.  Didn’t slow our pace whatsoever!

An Informative Discovery

A recent visit to Cozumel, Mexico, was fun and enjoyable.  A shore excursion to Discover Mexico Park was very informative. Our tour guide was engaging, proud of his country, and shared lots of interesting details.  Discover Mexico is one of the most seen parks in Cozumel that offers tourists a unique experience about Mexico.  The park provides tourists an opportunity to learn about its collection of arts and crafts of the country.  Their main objective is to portray Cozumel as not just another island of the Caribbean but part of a multi-diverse country.  The $19.99 we spent for the tour was well worth it.  Here are some of the facts communicated to our tour group:

• The official name of Mexico is “The Mexican United States.”
• The area of Mexico is 760,000 square miles.
• Mexico is the 11th most populated country (118 million in 2013).
• Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country in the world.
• Mexico is the largest silver producer in the world.
• Mexico’s main exports are corn, beans, avocado, coffee, cotton, chocolate, chili, Tequila, and silver.
• Caesar salad was invented in Tijuana, Mexico.
• The smallest volcano in the world is located in Puebla, Mexico.
• Mexico is the country that has the highest per capita consumption of Coca-Cola in the world.
• The first person which patented color TV was Mexican; Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena, when he was 23 years old in 1940.
• Mexican presidents get elected every 6 years and there is no reelection.
• Mexico has no official religion; however, around 82% of the population is catholic.
• 51% of the population are women.
• The life expectancy in Mexico is around 75; in 1930 it was 34.
• The Mexico – U.S. border is the most frequently crossed international border in the world.

Our tour group arrived back at the cruise ship more informed and inspired as a result of our visit to Discover Mexico Park. Definitely suggest a visit.

A Beauty in Cozumel

This beauty was always available to take pictures with tourists.  He makes lots of friends each day!

Festival of Cars

 

Street festival of cars in Ybor City; a national historic landmark district near Tampa, Florida. Considered a top tourist destination, Ybor City is a great place to meet, greet, and enjoy the stylish buildings with fantastic places to eat, drink, be merry and have lots of fun and excitement.

 

Animal Kingdom in the Western Caribbean Sea

A tourist’s delight!

A beauty at sea!

Hanging out in the Cayman Islands!