A short walk only a few blocks over and we found Gallery Espresso, one of the best coffee shops I have ever tried. We ordered a cup of Joe and a breakfast sandwich each. My white chocolate mocha was just sweet enough. And, the bacon, egg, and cheese croissant was not only delicious, it was more than enough to fill me up for all the walking that was ahead of me.
As we walked toward the river, we stopped in several of the shops along the way. I would say about half the time we stopped, it was mostly just to get out of the heat. Ok, well....it wasn't really THAT hot. I used to think that the term "it's not the heat...it's the humidity" was just crap. Let me tell you....Georgia in August....is nothing but humidity. So....while we waded through humidity to all the shops....mostly to get out of the heat AND humidity....they were all really nice and some of them had some very cool things inside. One shop in particular carried a line of greeting cards that had me dying!
Eventually, the Gallery Espresso breakfast wore off and it was time for lunch. We found ourselves near the City Market. City Market is the commercial and social center of Savannah. It's is a great area for shopping, art, entertainment...and of course...eating. (Not mention people watching...but, if I'm being honest....that's just about anywhere in Savannah.)
We decided that pizza was on the menu, and headed in to Vinnie Van Go Go's. It's a great little joint on the corner with some of the best pizza I've had. If you like thin, New York style pizza bursting with flavor and a thin crispy crust, Vinnie Van Go Go's is a perfect lunch stop. They also deliver to the downtown area by bike at no extra cost.
After lunch, we checked out the galleries and art studios. This is one of my favorite parts of City Market. There are two buildings...one on each side of the Market...that house various galleries and studio spaces for many very talented artists. It was Sunday, so most of the studio spaces were locked up and we weren't able to go into them to see the artwork up close. But we were able to see the paintings and sculptures from just outside.
I have found that sometimes, people come into our lives....even if for the briefest of moments....for a very specific reason. I met just such a person as I walked to the end of the hall on the second floor of the galleries in City Market. The door to the small studio was open, and the artisan inside was working his craft diligently, and with much care. As I entered, "King David" looked up and smiled.
"Come on in," he welcomed. "Have a look around. Take your time."
I did. His work was interesting. Different than things I had seen in the other studios. He hand crafted jewelry out of silverware. Yeah....forks and spoons. It was beautiful...interesting...and like I said, different. I looked around the studio, and saw a picture above the door. It was him...the artist...only, a younger version of the man sitting before me with silver wire and a pliers in his hands. I asked about his work and how he came to be called "King David."
He explained that he spent years going to trade shows buying and selling...but not creating. Then, he tried his hand at it. He was good....and discovered a passion for it. He spoke of the man who taught him how to make jewelry. He said that after some time, he was making jewelry and selling it on his own, even teaching others to make jewelry. One day, at a show, he saw a man standing off to the side, just watching his table. He was dressed head to toe in traditional African dress. As he approached David's table...the artist became a bit cautious...unsure of the attention he was receiving. As the strangely dressed man drew closer...he stopped. And, to David's surprise...he bowed low...as if presenting himself to royalty. As he rose again, David suddenly recognized him. It was his teacher...the man who taught him how to create jewelry. He told David that he was respected throughout the art community and had risen to a sort of royalty status. It was then that he took the name "King David."
I was very interested in the story of an artist that was living his passion. This man loved what he did and was proud of his work. This was evident in the pictures he kept on the wall. All of his customers were there...smiling at the work and artistry that he provided to them. And while he was very good at what he did, and his story was rather inspirational...it was the next story that he told me that stuck with me the most.
He told me about his grandson. A story about his grandson's work in school and how he was slacking in his grades. He said the he and his wife told the boy that he had to straighten up. They basically gave the typical grandparent lecture about doing well in school. But it's the phrase he used that stuck with me. King David said that he told his grandson, "You gotta get your mind right." He said that once you get your mind right, everything else will fall into place...and you will achieve all that you are supposed to....you will be what you are meant to be.
That phrase remains with me still....'Get your mind right.'
I left King David's studio and continued walking through the City Market. Another of the studios that was open that day was A.T. Hun. I met the owner and talked with him for a bit. This studio was fun and interesting. Eight artists shared the space, all with a contemporary feel to their work. Bright colors and bold images filled the studio. Subjects ranged from colorful oil paintings of animals in rainbow hues to dramatic nudes painted across old aircraft sheet metal.
It was getting late in the afternoon and we decided to head back to home base and get ready for dinner. After a short time to cool off and clean up a bit, we decided to walk toward the river walk again and just pick a restaurant as we went. Our choice was The Public Kitchen and Bar. It is a really nice restaurant with a menu that, at first glace, was possibly a bit to fancy for my simple tastes. But, as luck would have it, they had a burger on the menu! I ordered the blacken Bison Burger. It was very well seasoned. With a side of chips and Dogfish 60 Minute IPA, it was great meal after a long day of walking in the heat. My buddy had the seasonal Risotto with grilled chicken. The risotto itself was mix of many flavors, to include fresh apricot. Personally....it was a bit much for me. The chicken, however...was the best chicken I have ever tasted. It was bold, and tender and made that whole dish worth it.
After dinner...it was time for dessert. We took a walk over to E. Broughton street and headed inside Leopold's for some homemade ice cream. I had read that the Tutti Frutti was amazing. My buddy ordered a double scoop and said that what I read was absolutely correct! The bits of fruit and the nuts in the hand churned ice cream reminded me of ambrosia. My choice, for the night was the caramel swirl. Normally when I get caramel ice cream, the caramel is more like a ribbon of caramel syrup...soft and gooey. This was NOT like that. I bit into the ice cream and it was like Leopold's took mom's handmade caramels and stretched them throughout the ice cream! It was amazing....and the best caramel swirl I have ever had.
So, it was a great day. We walked all over Savannah...took a lot of pictures...and had some good food. I enjoyed the beauty of Savannah's historic district, and I met some really cool people. It was exactly what I needed. Time away...a good visit when I needed to take King David's advice....and work on getting my head right.
Sarge,
Out
Mr. Newman, your post capture my brother completely and brought tears to my eyes. He loved his craft. He enjoyed talking and meeting people. My brother passed away 7/17/16 in Savannah. He battled cancer for a year and never stopped working, he could be seen in the courtyard working and selling his jewelry despite of his health. I love the picture and will be using them in his program. Thank you King Davis's sister Lorraine.
ReplyDeleteMs. Cook,
DeleteMy heart is broken at this news! I just saw him in March, right after my wife and I got married. He gave her a pair of ear rings from his collection as a gift and we bought one of his gorgeous spoon rings. That day, my wife and I sat with him and his wife and talked for over an hour. He told us about being sick, but his spirit never showed the weight of the burden I knew he was carrying. My condolences to you and the rest of his family. The world has lost a very good man.