Charming Chapel Hill, North Carolina
When you need a weekend getaway and if you are in or near the southeastern part of the United States take some time to check out Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I did not get to see the spectacular scenery loaded with cherry, dogwood, and magnolia trees in the sunshine, but I bet Spring makes a grand appearance in this city.
It is always best when you have a super good tour guide and I had some dear, kind mates (locals); well, they have been living there for approximately 18 years and they both are part of an even greater scheme, the University of North Carolina. UNC's campus looks very sophisticated and is ranked #30 for American universities. UNC was the nations' first public university - established in 1789; how good is that? According to www.usnews.com...UNC offers one of the strongest and most diverse student bodies.
How charmed can one town possibly be? Chapel Hill is home to UNC and Duke University (ranked #9). These universities are institutions embedded in Chapel Hill's fabric. And, no, the town would not be the same...have the same character OR characters without these two fine, well established universities. The town has plenty to boast about.
Ask anyone...anyone at all about UNC basketball - The Tar Heels!
Walk the grounds of Duke University and you will feel the 'WOW' factor. The Duke University Gardens have been well planned and cared for; they are thriving and provide a magical, serene aspect to the grounds. Bet you anything the students head to the peace and serenity of the gardens before or after intense exams. Then, OH MY, the glorious Duke Chapel appears. We were fortunate to arrive on Sunday in the rain and upon opening the door the choir's voices turned into what I think angels would sound like...if I am ever fortunate to hear them sing. Honestly, you could have heard a pin drop and the singers were located at the far end of the extremely long aisle between the pews yet it was as if their voices were on top of us. The acoustics seemed perfect. Not many people were out due to the wet, grey, sloppy and unattractive day, but the few whom were visiting seemed to be gathering in the chapel. Everyone was awestruck. Personally, I felt as if I had been transplanted back to a European region. If I had not had a plane to catch I would have gladly lingered, sat quietly, and absorbed the voices with my eyes closed. Pure. Divinity.
In high school, decades ago, I recall one of my dearest and brightest friends whose face would light up like a Christmas tree when she spoke of her desire to attend Duke University. I do not believe she attended, but now I can message her and tell her I have been there and thought of her every, single step. Super memories that brought a smile to my face. She was right; it would have been a privilege to attend Duke (or the University of North Carolina.)
My mate's most handsome husband exudes a bit of fondness for this city, but especially when the Department of Opthalmology, Vitreo-Retinal surgery service is mentioned by his brilliant wife. UNA houses state of the art equipment, technology, and some of the newest procedures available to the public. Magic is happening in the city, folks - a bit of medical magic.
Chapel Hill will not disappoint.
Cheers.
Blanco of The Roaming Stevens
Moving Swiftly and Briskly preparing to return to
our Australian home...
PS: This is a BIG 'PS'! Since I don't live permanently in the States anymore I don't know about any of the younger, newer, or smaller airlines. Southwest is a GEM of an airline. Based out of Dallas, Texas they refer to themselves as the cheapest airline in the WORLD. I have no clue if that is true or not. But, as you know I love FIRSTS and this is the FIRST airline that has a heart - a real HEART towards their customers. First of all if you need/have to cancel...you will not be charged or penalized! You can change your flight at no cost. Whaaaaaaaaaaat??? They do not have preassigned seating arrangements either which made boarding very fast. IF you need to check two (2) pieces of luggage (yes, you read correctly)...you WILL NOT BE CHARGED. Oh my...the first airline to not only have a heart, but to OWN COMMON SENSE. I was thrilled to be a passenger and amazed at Southwest's efficiency and professionalism. Oh, and when you enter the aircraft's door a HEART is painted on the outside of the plane to the right of the door and a heart is featured proudly at the front of the aircraft, too. 'Well Done' to the people who created such a nifty little airline.
It is always best when you have a super good tour guide and I had some dear, kind mates (locals); well, they have been living there for approximately 18 years and they both are part of an even greater scheme, the University of North Carolina. UNC's campus looks very sophisticated and is ranked #30 for American universities. UNC was the nations' first public university - established in 1789; how good is that? According to www.usnews.com...UNC offers one of the strongest and most diverse student bodies.
How charmed can one town possibly be? Chapel Hill is home to UNC and Duke University (ranked #9). These universities are institutions embedded in Chapel Hill's fabric. And, no, the town would not be the same...have the same character OR characters without these two fine, well established universities. The town has plenty to boast about.
Ask anyone...anyone at all about UNC basketball - The Tar Heels!
Walk the grounds of Duke University and you will feel the 'WOW' factor. The Duke University Gardens have been well planned and cared for; they are thriving and provide a magical, serene aspect to the grounds. Bet you anything the students head to the peace and serenity of the gardens before or after intense exams. Then, OH MY, the glorious Duke Chapel appears. We were fortunate to arrive on Sunday in the rain and upon opening the door the choir's voices turned into what I think angels would sound like...if I am ever fortunate to hear them sing. Honestly, you could have heard a pin drop and the singers were located at the far end of the extremely long aisle between the pews yet it was as if their voices were on top of us. The acoustics seemed perfect. Not many people were out due to the wet, grey, sloppy and unattractive day, but the few whom were visiting seemed to be gathering in the chapel. Everyone was awestruck. Personally, I felt as if I had been transplanted back to a European region. If I had not had a plane to catch I would have gladly lingered, sat quietly, and absorbed the voices with my eyes closed. Pure. Divinity.
In high school, decades ago, I recall one of my dearest and brightest friends whose face would light up like a Christmas tree when she spoke of her desire to attend Duke University. I do not believe she attended, but now I can message her and tell her I have been there and thought of her every, single step. Super memories that brought a smile to my face. She was right; it would have been a privilege to attend Duke (or the University of North Carolina.)
My mate's most handsome husband exudes a bit of fondness for this city, but especially when the Department of Opthalmology, Vitreo-Retinal surgery service is mentioned by his brilliant wife. UNA houses state of the art equipment, technology, and some of the newest procedures available to the public. Magic is happening in the city, folks - a bit of medical magic.
Chapel Hill will not disappoint.
Cheers.
Blanco of The Roaming Stevens
Moving Swiftly and Briskly preparing to return to
our Australian home...
PS: This is a BIG 'PS'! Since I don't live permanently in the States anymore I don't know about any of the younger, newer, or smaller airlines. Southwest is a GEM of an airline. Based out of Dallas, Texas they refer to themselves as the cheapest airline in the WORLD. I have no clue if that is true or not. But, as you know I love FIRSTS and this is the FIRST airline that has a heart - a real HEART towards their customers. First of all if you need/have to cancel...you will not be charged or penalized! You can change your flight at no cost. Whaaaaaaaaaaat??? They do not have preassigned seating arrangements either which made boarding very fast. IF you need to check two (2) pieces of luggage (yes, you read correctly)...you WILL NOT BE CHARGED. Oh my...the first airline to not only have a heart, but to OWN COMMON SENSE. I was thrilled to be a passenger and amazed at Southwest's efficiency and professionalism. Oh, and when you enter the aircraft's door a HEART is painted on the outside of the plane to the right of the door and a heart is featured proudly at the front of the aircraft, too. 'Well Done' to the people who created such a nifty little airline.
Southwest Airline - The Airline with a HEART~!
Duke University - in the rain and still exquisite.
Genuinely felt as if I had been transplanted back to Europe...
Simply. Beautiful. Work.
My sweet mate, Wendy, goes WELL with the colouring of the stonework and NO...Wendy's established date is certainly NOT 1930...(more like 1980) ?!!?!
A great morning visiting the Duke Chapel on SUNDAY!
We probably need a good spanking, but we did NOT make it to SPANKY's! DARN.
How dare they make us think we had TOO much after only ONE Bloody Mary?
Not nice, but FUNNY!!!
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