We're in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is Carolina Panthers country. We don't bring any Boston team gear down with us: No Bruins jerseys, no Red Sox hats, no Patriots sweatshirts. We are trying to blend in as best as we can.
The mid-sized car we rent turns out to be a Jeep Patriot (the irony here is not lost on me) with North Carolina plates. This is good. It presents the illusion that we might be natives when driving on the roads. Last visit our car, a Fiat about the size of a tuna fish can, had Texas plates, and we seemed to be known as the two little Texan gals, which meant people gave us wide berths on the roadways. This new vehicle, although very shiny and bright white, lets us travel inconspicuously as locals, though we are Patriots in a Patriot.
We also need to blend in when shopping.
This means the beer we buy has to blend in, as well. We save the craft beers for dining and breweries, but we stock the hotel mini-fridge with Bud Light. Local Bud Light. Carolina Panthers Bud Light.
When in the tap rooms, sample the on-site brews. When in the quickie-mart, grab the Panther logo and run. It's kind of like survival of the pseudo-tourist. After all, when in Rome... even if they give the Patriots a Patriot.
