We are in the south

How do you know you are in the south?

In DC, shuttle drivers are mute and angry-looking.

At the Raleigh-Durham airport we were greeted by Fran, the Hertz courtesy shuttle, who gave us a hearty welcome to North Carolina. Fran was lovely, making sure everyone on the bus knew where they were going, and doling out directions to those who didn’t. When Matt answered confidently, “I think I know where we’re going,” Fran replied, “You aren’t going to get this pretty lady lost, are you?” As we exited the shuttle, Fran carried the bags an older woman, who she called “mother,” down the steep steps.

In DC, everyone wears black to parties.

When we arrived at our hotel in downtown Raleigh, I sat in the car to guard it—which, upon reflection, was probably not necessary. While I was waiting, an SUV pulled up next to me, and several women in pink sequined gowns tumbled out, one wearing a crown. Car after car pulled up to drop additional women off, and I have never seen so many colorful cocktail dresses.

After some in-depth research (I googled “miss north carolina”), I found discovered that the pinkest of them all was Miss North Carolina 2007—this is definitely the crown I spotted. Apparently the 2008 pageant is in progress, and there is a “pre-show” tonight. When I relayed this information to Matt, he said with some dread, “It’s not in our hotel, is it?” Thankfully, it is not.

PS—everyone knows I am dying for a celebrity sighting, but this in no way counts.