The Deep South from a Curious Westerner's Perspective

It's been a long time since I wrote a blog, in fact, almost two months...wow!  I know this because the last time I wrote on my blog, I had just returned from Alabama, and here I find myself again in...Alabama, of all places.

I'm happy to report that the second time I flew to Alabama, I was not "nearly" as freaked about flying.  Okay, I was still a nervous flyer, but the arm rests on my plane flight remain unbroken and I was so much more at ease at the Hartfield Jackson airport in Atlanta.  In fact, thanks to my previous flying companion's, Joe's, excellent directions, I had no trouble finding and remaining upright in the plane train, retrieving my luggage and navigating my way to the proper car rental location. I even amazed myself at how easily I took to traveling to Alabama this time.  To quote my duet partner, Mitch, I traveled "like a boss."

Okay, I'm probably using that last phrase incorrectly, which will trigger from Mitch the "you are a 'goob'" comment he enjoys hurtling at me from time to time when I do ridiculous things in front of him--like NOT knowing how to open the car door lock of my rental car--yep, that happened last night.

But I digress...

Today's topic is one of my favorites, and it involves the differences between Alabama and the South and California and the West.

The last time I came to Alabama, I stayed only 3.5 days--long enough to visit with Mitch, but not nearly long enough to learn anything about Alabama.  This time, I'm staying in my condo in Alabama and have been travelling ALL over Birmingham getting supplies, eating out, and frankly, just talking to folks I meet along the way. 

So here are some of the cool things I've learned about the South that I'd like to share!

McDonald's Serves Biscuits Here! 
On my first day in Alabama, because I had travelled here on the red-eye from San Jose, I decided to purchase breakfast at McDonalds for me and Mitch.  I ordered my favorite "Big Breakfast With Pancakes" and drove to the condo to meet up with Mitch.  As we sat and ate, I picked up the large, round, brown-ish colored bread product on my plate and said, "what the hell is this?"

Mitch stared at me holding the bun, and said, "It's a biscuit!  Haven't you seen a biscuit before?"

"Um...of course I have, but what is it doing in my big breakfast meal?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean...where is my English muffin?"  I was now closely scrutinizing the "biscuit" between my fingers.

"Grace, you are in the SOUTH...we serve biscuits and NOT English Muffins with our breakfasts.  In fact, biscuits and gravy here is a very popular breakfast food."  He then explained that he and his friend Hank always purchased a hearty breakfast of biscuits and gravy at Jack's (not to be confused with Jack-in-the-Box, which is what "Jack's" means to me coming from California).  This Southern repast is a combination of the unleavened biscuits dipped into a white cream gravy laced with sausage or beef products.  He told me we "have" to eat at Jack's....it's Day 5 of my 7 day trip and I've been able to avoid it so far.

Police Cars are Wacko Here!  
I come from California where police officers, by and large, drive Crown Victorias, or "Crown Vics" as we call them, which have been outfitted with a single light bar with red and blue lights and one set of white "strobe" lights.  Because this model is so synonymous with "the police," no one purposely buys a Crown Vic when shopping for a car.  We leave these little vehicular "gems" for the police.

Here in Alabama, the police drive white Yukons--a car that many people actually LIKE to purchase and drive.  In fact, the South is littered with both trucks and BIG cars--BIG BIG CARS with "lifted" bodies.  "Lifted" refers to bringing the body of the truck "up" higher than the manufacturer originally designed the vehicle.  This is a term I learned from Mitch, who, like many Southern youth, loves the big truck with the lifted bodies and huge tires...oy!

From my observation, the typical police Yukon here in Birmingham has been outfitted with one standard issue police style light bar on top, a series of blue and white LED lights on the front grill, a series of lights in the back windows, blue blinking lights on the running board, and blue and white strobing LED lights on the side too.  In fact, there are SO MANY lights on the standard issue Police Yukon that when a police car is chasing you, the vehicle is ABLAZE with flashing, strobing, popping white and blue lights.  It's like the LED equivalent of a fireworks display is racing down the roadway when you see a police officer in pursuit.  I told Mitch I'm enthralled with the police cars in Birmingham and want to see them all lit up, and he corrected me with "No you do NOT want to see that behind you!" Okay, maybe not following me, but, dang, it's like a "light show" when you see one of those things on the road--it's kinda pretty, in an ominous sorta way.

Everything Here is Open 24 Hours!
Although California is densely populated--far more so than Alabama, our population is highly energy conscious so we don't have stores open all night because it doesn't make sense to waste money, personnel and energy in staying open for the one or two people who would patronize a store in the "wee hours" of the morning.

Here in Alabama, EVERYTHING seems to be open 24 hours.  From the smallest cities to the inner areas of Birmingham, stores are open 24 hours a day.  The Walmart, the CVS, the Walgreens are all open 24 hours here.  Many fast food establishments never close either.  If the store doesn't stay open 24 hours, it's has crazy long hours of operation.  For example, the Home Depot (which I have been a regular visitor of late) opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 10:30 at night ON SATURDAY. 

If you're a shopper, then Alabama is your place to hang out!  24 Hours of shopping can be found virtually anywhere.

Gas is Crazy Cheap Here!
Gas is a whopping $1.85 a gallon here in Birmingham.  Before I left California, I paid $2.85 per gallon for gas--that's a $1 per gallon difference!!  I just filled up the tank on the rental car I have (a Camaro...yes, I love a FAST CAR), and it barely cost me $30.  Can you imagine?  I paid under $2 per gallon for gas here in Alabama.  'Nuff said!


I'm sure there are more cool things to report about Alabama, but I'll save those for my next blog entry! 

In the meantime, join me and my duet and business partner Mitch whose sing tag is @_mitch22_ (yep he shortened it, thus taking away my favorite joke about him having the "longest Smule tag in history) for cool songs on Smule!!

More about the singers mentioned here:
@_Mitch22_ is my bestie, duet partner and biz partner Mitch B., who happens to live here in Alabama! Mitch recently celebrated his 24th birthday (yep, he's a young-un) and was thrilled and humbled by the wonderful birthday "card" we all did for him on Smule!  My thanks to everyone who joined us in making this special card for a special guy!

Me?  I'm @Pokeypal on Smule and my name is Grace. I am from San Jose, California, and I don't know why the heck I'm back here in Alabama except to work on my Southern "drawl."