Birmingham

Of Alabama, I've spoken too soon.

Birmingham is a city with character, culture and cuisine. Upon arriving, the city reminded me of Pittsburgh. No surprise, I suppose that its foundations are in the iron and steel industries.

A man with whom I spoke Thursday remarked that because of its blue collar foundations, Birmingham developed a healthy middle class. This resulted in a solid liberal foundation that had driven the city's direction ever since. It's a lovely city, with picturesque vistas high on its hills, and vibrant neighborhoods, something lacking throughout the rest of the state.