charleston wrap-up
Located in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, Charleston is nestled amongst tidal salt marshes, rivers, ports and good manners. Walking downtown feels like a step back in time as the endless historic district whisks you out of 2010 and into an era where business was slower and folks drank front-porch-rocking-chair-style sweet tea with their neighbors. What first stood out to me was the unique architecture style, called the Single House, which features houses in rows that have two-story porches on the side–that’s right, the side–of the house. Taking the hot heat of the city in account, this allowed for people to enjoy the magic of one’s front porch while avoiding the direct sun.
These rows of houses, which stand tall to shelter each other from the elements, remind me metaphorically of another local feature: Dragon Boat Charleston. Dragon boating, which originated in China thousands of years ago, is a type of boating that involves twenty paddlers on a 48-foot vessel with painted scales on the side. Teams all across the country compete for regional and national titles, and during our two-day stop in Charleston we had the pleasure of meeting a unique dragon boat team. This team is completely comprised of cancer survivors.
We heard a story of a woman finishing chemotherapy and joining the team. Her first practice was so physically difficult that she felt she was going to collapse. She returned for a second practice only because another team member kept encouraging her to go. Now, she competes with the team in their 200, 500 and 1,000 meter races. Like the row houses of Charleston, these paddlers stand tall next to one another, sheltering each other from the harsh elements life has thrown them. The level of support and community in this group acts as a secret weapon, synchronizing their paddles and propelling the vessel further, faster. Even their internationally renown coach notices their unique potential.
Bright and early at 5:40a.m., I met up with the Dragon Boat Charleston group and rode with their coach, a vigorous lady from Vancouver who comes in and coaches teams for national competitions. As I watched 20 ladies, most of them twice my age, paddle their hearts out I realized that they aren’t letting anything stop them. They haven’t given up after cancer, they’ve gotten stronger. They are determined. They are powerful. They are men and women whose presence I was honored to have. The experience was awe-inspiring.
I learned that nothing, not even cancer, can limit you…and that I should probably start working out more. But, for now, I will probably stick to sleep over the 6 o’clock hour.
So thank you, Dragon Boat Charleston men and women, for sharing with us, laughing with us and letting me in on your early morning practice.
Here are more stories from Charleston that made us smile:
Meet David Thompson:
When I was a kid a local architect came to school and spoke to us about his work as a designer. From that point on I knew I wanted to become an architect and I now work locally as both a designer and architect. I started a local program that brings designers and architects to schools in the hopes of giving other children their aha moment, much like I had when I was a kid.
Meet Aimee Schmidt:
I am the founder of HaleyBop, a mother/daughter team that began one day on the back of a restaurant menu. Seven year old Haley was drawing on the back of hers when I looked over and noticed her creation. I immediately thought it would look great on a girls T-shirt! This is when the idea for “HaleyBop” was born! The designs originate from her water color paintings and have been featured locally and nationally.
Meet Noah Everett:
I was working on a little project one weekend in the hopes of being able to post pictures to my friends on Twitter. Little did I know that the application I created would morph into TwitPic, a multi-million user web application. I never imagined that the little project I created over a weekend would change the rest of my life.
Thank you to all the amazing folks who came out to record and unknowingly inspired us! Onwards to Asheville we go!
