COLUMBIA - SOUTH CAROLINA

21st - 23rd February 2011

Long ride in the 'Wriggley Tin' ( 10.5 hrs ). I took my own 'refreshments' with me this time. I'm learning. Train was packed due to a public holiday. It was President's Day, apparently, whatever that entails. The train left Washington at 3.00pm and I was squeezed into a seat in the front of a carriage next to drawn curtains. I pulled the curtains back and, guess what, no bloody window! I ask you. So I didn't get much of a view before it got dark. Haven't a clue what we passed or where we went. South I suppose. I gathered from an Amtrak magazine that this month is 'Black History Month'. I had no idea! They ( Amtrak ) were advertising the 'Leroy R Fergus Jr' award, to be given to the person who contributes most on this 'historic' occasion to the rail system. I was thinking of donning a bit of 'black and white' minstrel 'slap' and, because it was next to nigh impossible to sleep, polishing up my rendition of " ...de Camptown Racetrack 5 mile long, doo-dah....etc'. It would surely amuse the passengers, win the award and help pay for my travels. Perhaps.

I made it, alive, into Columbia Station after another 'ride 'em cowboy' journey ( 1 platform, and only 2 trains a day ) at 0245hrs. Straight to hotel; 'Springhill Suites by Marriott'. Excellent place for about $100 per night. Tip here, for anyone who may be interested; I have so far discovered that 3 chains provide relatively inexpensive and good quality accomodation across the USA ( there are undoubtably more ), namely: Springhill Suites, Courtyard ( both Marriott subsidiaries ) and Hampton Hotels.

Met later that day, after a good kip, by an old school friend, 'T'. He and family have been living in Columbia for 25 years, or so. I was taken on an excellent tour of the City. It is the capital of South Carolina. Charleston was originally, but it was moved to Columbia after the Civil War. Interesting to note that South Carolina is 1/3 the size of UK and has only 4 million inhabitants ( size and space again! ). The place was attacked and torched by Gen Sherman's ( Unionist ) troops towards the end of the Civil War. The State Capitol building was shelled and where the shells hit has been marked by bronze 'stars'.

Below: view of the State Capitol Building. Note the Confederate Flag flying in front. Maybe it's a bit small to see in this wee photo. It was originally on the 'dome', but this displeased the Federal government, so it was moved to it's much more prominent position at the front! The State Capitol in each State is a sort of mirror image, at State level, of the Federal arrangement. It's where the State Governor hangs out.

  Left: State Capitol building plus, forefront, Confederate flag.

Right: T standing in front of some hero soldier of the American/Mexican War















                                                                                              



Left: George Washington at the front.







             Right: one of the bronze stars, 6 of them in all, mark where Sherman's shells hit ( repair work subsequently done ).









Left: Inside on first floor. Elegant?






Below: State Congress debating chamber. There are about 150 Congressmen representing the counties in the State. I think they have a 4 year term of office.













Below: State Senators debating chamber. There are 47 Senators representing, proportional to the population within them, the counties. They have a 6 year term of office.

The Congress chamber is 'opened' for business by a Mace ( very old and valuable ) placed across the front of the Speakers dias, which completes an electric circuit and illuminates the lights on either side.  The same is done in the Senate by a sword. The present sword was donated by Lord Halifax ( made by Wilkinson Sword... hello Oxbridge! ), who was the Brit Ambassador in 1951, after the original had been stolen.

The concept of US Federal Government and State Assemblies ( they make the State laws ) is, from what I can see, remarkably similar, in essence, to that espoused by our beloved European Union. The US States are equivalent to EU member nations, and the US Federal Government is equivalent to the EU Commission in Brussels. With one notable difference! The US population elects their President and national government, whereas the EU President ( that funny little Belgian non-descript 'HermanVan Rumpelstiltskin', or whatever he's called ) and his team of over-paid lickspittle shysters are not elected by anyone. Hey ho! Incidently, for our tour of the State Capitol, T and I joined, with their permission, a group ( red spot team ) of Grade 5, Elementary School  pupils from Greensville ( average age 12 ). We two were undoubtedly the worst behaved in the group.

A point I noted in Columbia, and other places, is the great number of very large and shiny chromed Harley-Davidson motorbikes on the roads; no doubt brought out by the sunny weather. Those riding them rarely appear to wear crash helmets. The law says you must, but they don't. All credit to them in my opinion! Another thing I note is that US light switches, in default position, are 'on' when up, and 'off' when down. The opposite to Europe. Also, they mostly have an illumination on them when 'off' so you can find them in the dark! Another lesson to be learnt here, I think.

Left: Hey, this is interesting! Seen in a Columbia bar/restaurant window. WOW!!! I can't wait. I expect the over 85 yr olds in South Carolina are now 'binge drinking' and causing havoc. Maybe I can forge an ID.










There is a very smart and prestigious University in Columbia. It has some beautiful buildings and was started in .... ( bugger, I've forgotten....but a long time ago ). I was shown around a bit. My host, T, had studied there. The old library was deserted, probably because it was warm and sunny outside, but lots of students were lying around on the grass of what is known as the 'horseshoe' and I looked and they really were studying text books! I suspect they take their University education rather more seriously here. If they don't get good grades, basically, they don't get a job!



Left: the Old library at Columbia University. It's rather cosy. They also have a much more modern one ( ground floor then 7 floors underground, elsewhere. )







Below: The Horseshoe, surrounded by University buildings where, believe it or not, many students were actually studying.






















Left: My host and hostess waving good-riddance.
Very good drink and nosh. Thanks T and B.....and Crispin.

















And onwards..........................................Perhaps next to Charleston.