Hospitality Is Magnetic
A reflection on Burgaw, North Carolina
I have fallen in love with the little town of Burgaw, North Carolina, and I think I am beginning to understand why. It's the hospitality, both inside and out. There is something about a town where people take pride in their businesses, their sidewalks, their gardens and even the smallest spaces we sometimes overlook. It sends a message without anyone having to say a word, we love having you visit.
There is almost an urban botanical feeling to Burgaw, where the old buildings and nature seem to complement one another. Beautiful trees with twisting trunks, lush greenery tucked alongside buildings, carefully tended plants and flowers that soften the sidewalks and storefronts. I find myself admiring not only what nature has provided, but the thoughtfulness of those who care for it. Nothing has to be particularly grand or expensive to be beautiful, sometimes it is simply the attention given to something that might otherwise go unnoticed.
I notice these things when I walk with my camera. I find myself stopping to admire an unusual tree, a beautiful arrangement of plants or something unexpected growing near the roots. On one of my walks, I discovered these extraordinary mushrooms, with their delicate folds and soft colors, almost resembling coral beneath the sea. Nature has its own way of decorating a town, and I wonder how many people walk past these little treasures without ever noticing them.
But what I appreciate most about Burgaw is that the hospitality doesn't end at the front door. It continues inside, in the way people greet you, the conversations, the friendliness and the genuine feeling that visitors are welcome. I believe hospitality is magnetic. It draws people in, makes them want to linger, explore another street, visit another shop or simply return another day.
I have always believed that the way we care for our surroundings says something about us. A swept sidewalk, a beautiful garden, a little attention to the entrance of a business, these are simple gestures, but collectively they create an atmosphere. They tell visitors that someone cared enough to make the experience pleasant, even before they walked through the door.
Perhaps that is why I enjoy spending time in Burgaw so much. It invites me to slow down, to walk, to notice and to appreciate the little things that make a place memorable. I don't believe a town has to be large, fashionable or filled with attractions to leave a lasting impression. Sometimes all it needs is a little pride, a little kindness and people who understand that hospitality begins long before someone steps inside.
And Burgaw, I think you have figured that out.
Thank you for making a visitor feel so welcome.
It's okay if the algorithm doesn't find me today. Today, I found something worth noticing.