Historical re-enactors in Virginia

Silver smith shop

Actors performing

The donors that sent my group of 24 teachers to Williamsburg were really super generous.  We have eaten at most of the taverns, and had behind the scenes tours of most buildings, usually guided by a person in character and costume.  Tomorrow is my last day here.  It has been a great learning experience, but it has also been somewhat exhausting, with history from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.!

Today I listened to actors portraying Patrick Henry, a Tory, a military leader that put us through drills and many people in shops and in the street.  At the end of the day we were able to hold our own debate in the capitol building, which is a rebuilt version of the building that was built upon the site of the original which had burned to the ground in the 1840's.

Many people come here for a vacation, and the Williamsburg Inn and Lodge, where I now sit, is a very elegant place.  Apparently multiple presidents and world leaders like the Queen of England have stayed here.  The people are very friendly.  Williamsburg feels as safe as Disneyland, as there are no cars allowed in the area, and the paid admission means that the general public does not enter the area.  I'm posting a few pictures of the lovely grounds.

It's hard to capture the feel of the air and the greenery that surrounds you in Virginia with words.  For a person from California, the rain and the lush gardens are visually enticing.  I have visited the eastern part of our country a few times since I was young and visited my Aunt Cheryl, then living in Connecticut.  The sounds of insects and frogs that fill the air at dusk and night, that is something unusual to my ear.  The people back east dress just a little differently than people on the West Coast.  Sometimes I feel like I'm in the 'real' America when I'm back east.  In Williamsburg especially you see many people dressed fairly nicely for the summertime, and many older couples that really enjoy the history of Williamsburg.  Californians enjoy history as well, but in my opinion don't take it as seriously.  In Williamsburg people pay money to watch actors re-enact the reading of the Declaration of Independence in front of the reconstructed capitol building.  

Many of the people working at Williamsburg have told us that they've worked here for decades.  Several people have worked here for over 30 years, one over 40 years.  Many of the re-enactors are trained actors or retired teachers. My group of teachers have needled me, saying that I will go to Williamsburg to act after I retire.  Although the costumes are cool, the weather is oppressive (and we've had great weather).  I did really like Virginia when I passed through in 2011.  Hmmmmm.... which character should I be, a Revolutionary soldier or one of those guys that plays drums.

Final thought:  There is an awesome shop here that sells only Scotland themed gifts.  It's well stocked, and seems to be doing a brisk business.  Thought about buying a cool hat, but a wool hat in Southern California is rarely used.

Tomorrow it's on to Yorktown in the morning, then flying for an overnight stay in Atlanta.  Monday at noon I should be landing in San Jose, Costa Rica.