For all the times I caught connecting flights in Atlanta, I never once had enough time to venture outside the airport and into the city. Fortunately, Jacob had a job recruitment fair to go to the first weekend of October, and he had an old buddy from his hometown living there willing to put us freeloaders up for a couple of nights. We drove up I-75 on a Friday night to where Jacob's buddy and his wife live. They live in an awesome up-and-coming section of Atlanta known as Glenwood Park. On Saturday we walked over to Hotoberfest where Jacob and I tasted many a yummy microbrewski. We followed all that up with a meal at the Matador Cantina and one heckuva a downer of a Tennessee football game. The game was such a downer that our host with the most could not even down his own shot of tequila. Don't worry. It didn't go to waste ;) To ease the pain of defeat, we all headed to a neighbor's house to get the good times rolling again.
The universe has a way of letting us all know how small the world really is through coincidences that blow our minds. In Glenwood Park, at a friend of a friend of a friend's neighbor's house, I ran into an old graduate school friend from Miami that I had not seen in nearly 5 years. It was incredible and no one present could believe it. There I am sitting on the couch in this person's house, and in walks my friend. Through my daze of disbelief and confusion, I call his name out across the room. The room goes silent as everyone watches the two of us recognize each other. I still can't believe it! It was wonderful to catch up with each other and the moment made me remember what an awesome experience graduate school was for me. I'm getting nostalgic again as I write this now...
Early the following morning, I drove Jacob to his prep session with his headhunter. Most of Jacob's day would be spent in hotel conference rooms with his recruiter and fellow job hunters preparing for Monday's job interviews. Because the hotel was close to my cousin's apartment, I totally woke her up with a ridiculous good morning phone call! Fortunately, she knew I would do that and she gave me directions to her place. She and I spent most of the day together -- catching up, talking about life, and searching around the mall for bridesmaids accessories. Ultimately, the bridesmaids ended up with nothing, but Jacob got a new shirt and power tie out of the deal. Who knew Donald Trump designed ties?!?
When Jacob finished his prep sessions, I picked him up and we made our way back to Glenwood Park for dinner and more football. As it was Sunday and everyone had an early morning, our evening was called pretty early (especially after doing a quarter mile of lunges around the local high school's track). I was looking forward to a day in the city, and to hearing good news from Jacob's job interviews.
Monday morning I drove Jacob back to his job recruitment headquarters on the other side of the city. After saying "Adios and good luck!", I drove downtown to the largest aquarium in THE WORLD -- The Georgia Aquarium.
Home to whale sharks, manta rays, coral, and belugas, this place BLEW my mind. In front of the 6.3 million gallon Ocean Voyager exhibit, I became entranced. I could have sat in front of that aquarium for days!
The grace of the animals and the many thoughts that came to mind while watching them kept me dreaming. I also wondered how ethical it really is to keep these humongous, beautiful creatures trapped in a tank of water hundreds of miles away from the ocean. Sure, this may be the only way others or I could even see or experience these creatures, but is it the best way? A conundrum, to be sure, and I can only hope it results in more water advocates. For water covers more than 70% of our planet, yet it is the least protected and most abused ecosystem. To many, oceans, lakes, and rivers seem like a mysterious abyss, infinitely capable of absorbing all the harms we inflict upon them. To me, they are our most fragile resources and they have been taken for granted for far too long.
I spent several hours walking through all the amazing exhibits. I was mesmerized by the white beluga and the river otters. I was astonished by all the fish species and delighted by the jellyfish. I was sad that only Pacific coral reef species were on display, rather than (or not in addition to) the geographically-closer Caribbean coral reef species. Oh well, even the largest aquarium in the world can't have a whole OCEAN inside its walls....
After getting my fill of water wonder, and nearly killing my phone's battery because of all my picture-taking, I walked outside to a beautiful southern fall day in downtown Atlanta. Just a hop away from the aquarium is the infamous Centennial Olympic Park. In 1996, Atlanta hosted the 100th year of the Summer Olympic Games. The Park was created as the central gathering place for the games. The Park hosted entertainment, concerts and receptions; food, beverages and Olympic merchandise vendors and was a central meeting location for volunteers and pin trading.
SIDE NOTE: I am an Olympics JUNKIE. I fell in love with the games the year Mary Lou Retton stole all of our hearts. I fell in love with them all over again in the winter of the Battle of Brians and of two talented figure skaters performing to the dramatic music of Carmen. Kerri Strug, the Miracle on Ice, Michael Phelps. The legends and the lore -- I love it all. The Olympics are my World Series and March Madness rolled into two and half weeks of human-interest stories and peaceful competition. Ask me sometime about attending the Sydney Olympics -- there is NO OTHER experience like it.
Anyway, back to the park. I could not have asked for a more beautiful day to stroll around the park. Beautiful clear skies, pleasant temperatures, and no crowds. I took my time walking around while sipping a hot cup of coffee. My favorite parts of the park were probably the fountain in centennial plaza and the "quilt garden". There are a series of metal and brick "quilts" that commemorate several aspects of the 100th Summer Olympics. One of the quilts is in remembrance of the 111 people injured and the 1 person killed by the bombing in the park, which occurred on July 27, 1996. The Quilt of Remembrance features a mosaic of stones from around the world to honor those injured in the explosion and an eternal light shines in memory of Alice Hawthorne, who perished. It was very moving to linger by this memorial quilt, and by all the quilts, including the quilt of nations.
After touring through Centennial Park, I settled on a bench in the sun and read my book while I waited for Jacob's call. When he calls, I say good-bye to Atlanta. I never knew how much I would enjoy it! Fortunately, Jacob's interviews went well and traffic was easy for the ride home. I am so appreciative to our hosts and for the many blessings that came out of that weekend. The weather was perfect, I ran into and caught up with an old friend, I had a wonderful visit with my dearest cousin, and Jacob found a job! Really, what more could one ask for from a long weekend? If you ever get the chance to escape the airport terminal, I think Atlanta is well worth a visit!
Labels:
Atlanta,
my life,
travels
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