Norfolk, Virginia: Humidity, Ghosts, and Questionable Seafood
okay, so norfolk. it’s…a lot. i ended up here because a friend of a friend needed someone to watch their cat while they went to a *comic con in baltimore. honestly? i’m not even a cat person, but free lodging is free lodging, right? and i’m a freelance photographer, so i figured i could at least get some interesting shots.
first impressions? damp. like, really damp. i just checked and it’s… clinging to everything right now, a constant film. the weather report said ten point zero five degrees celsius, but it feels like nine point six four. apparently, the humidity is ninety-seven percent. ninety-seven! you could grow moss on me at this point. the locals seem used to it, though. they just…exist in the moisture.
i’ve been wandering around the waterfront, and it’s…interesting. a lot of old brick buildings, some really cool murals (which i’m definitely photographing), and a general vibe of “things have happened here.” which, you know, is good for a photographer. i overheard someone at a coffee shop - seriously, the coffee scene here is surprisingly good, check out Yelp reviews - saying that the whole city is built on a network of tunnels. apparently, they used to be for…less savory activities. now they’re mostly just empty. or haunted.
which brings me to the ghost stories. oh boy, the ghost stories. someone told me that the attic of the Freemason District’s oldest house is packed with spirits. apparently, a sea captain’s wife still wanders the halls, looking for her lost husband. i’m thinking of trying to get access, but honestly, i’m a little scared. i’ve been reading up on the history of the area on TripAdvisor and it’s…a lot of naval history and colonial drama.
“Don’t eat the oysters unless you really trust the source,” Old Man Hemlock warned me, squinting through a cloud of cigarette smoke. “They say the Elizabeth River has seen things…”
that’s…concerning. i did try some crab cakes, though. they were okay. a little too much filler, if i’m being honest. i’ve also been warned about the parking situation downtown. apparently, it’s a nightmare. i’ve mostly been walking, which is good for my step count, but bad for my feet.
the neighbors are…eccentric. i’ve seen a guy walking a ferret on a leash, a woman dressed as a pirate, and a whole group of people doing tai chi in a park. if you get bored, virginia beach is just a short drive away, which i might do tomorrow. i heard that the waves are pretty good there. i also stumbled upon a local forum (Norfolk Reddit) and apparently, there’s a huge debate about the best place to get a burger*. i’m going to have to investigate.
“The Pagoda is overrated,” a barista told me, wiping down the counter. “Go to Doumar’s. Trust me.”
i’m starting to think this city runs on recommendations and whispered secrets. the pressure is one thousand and six, and the ground level is one thousand and five. it feels…heavy. i’m not sure if that’s the humidity or the weight of history.
i’m going to go explore some more. maybe i’ll find a ghost. maybe i’ll find a decent burger. maybe i’ll just find more humidity. either way, it’ll be an adventure. you can find more info about Norfolk at VisitNorfolk.