A step into history, Williamsburg

    Williamsburg isn't just a step back in time, it is a history lesson and a pep rally for democracy.  Virginia is a "swing" state in this presidential election.  Everywhere we turn there are ads and discussions regarding the election.  It was driving me crazy until we spent a day in Williamsburg and listened to the ongoing debate over the need to break from England and establish an independent nation.  We now have the freedom to have this endless debate over issues because "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
    A large section of the old city of Williamsburg has been either preserved or restored.  The Governor's Palace anchors one end and the Capitol building anchors the other.  In between, several blocks wide, there are streets of homes and shops of the 18th century.  Throughout the area are townsfolk dressed in period costume.  They are shopping, managing the stores which have traditional wares, running the post office, writing the newspaper, and working as silversmiths, blacksmiths, carpenters, weavers, wig makers, and tavern keepers.
    There are many opportunities for a visitor to engage in conversation and listen to discourse regarding the issues and problems of living in a democracy.  Some of the townsfolk are critical of the current state of affairs of  18th century Virginia, others talk about the many problems presented by being a colony of England, while some are passionate about the need for religious freedom from the Church of England.  We stopped at a coffee house - one of the gathering spots in colonial Williamsburg where the debate was often vigorous.  We sampled some amazing hot chocolate which was a common drink of the 1700's and participated in a conversation that was led by one of the Williamsburg staff.  History really comes alive when it is clear that so many of the issues are still real, but the right to debate them was such a victory for our ancestors.
    The day was exhausting and invigorating.  It is a huge area to walk around and we certainly could spend at least one more day just in the city.  However, we still have the Jamestown and Yorktown sites to visit.