I'm a Georgia Peach!

It's been over a week since I got back from Atlanta, but having come down with the sickness of hell, I am just now coming back to life. I don't know how much I can actually talk about Atlanta in this. I didn't get the chance to see much of it.

We landed in the airport, I miss big city airports. When a single location has its own transportation system with more than five stops, its officially awesome. Being addicted to my U.S. National parks stamp book, I convinced my mother to take a detour to MLK Jrs site, in downtown Atlanta. Let's just say, it was NOT an easy place to find. Once you get within a five block radius of the site, its one ways and back roads and parking lots. But it was also POURING rain. Once we found a sidewalk that led to the building, I hopped out of the car and ran about a block to the building. I was drenched by the time I got there. But I got my stamp!

Then we drove through rush hour traffic for at least an hour. Atlanta is definitely not a place to drive. All weekend, even if we were going only 10 miles, it took us at least half an hour to get there. It was crazy. The roads were strange, traffic was always heavy, and lights seemed to ALWAYS be red.

We ended up staying in Duluth, GA, about 45 minutes outside of the city. There I experienced my first Chik-a-filet. Or whatever. My mom rants and raves about them. I must admit is was quite tasty.


The next three days wasn't very touristy. We were there for the Catalyst conference and Night for Africa fundraiser (more the fundraiser than the conference). The conference was less than appealing, I actually attended only two sessions and spent the rest of the time in the hotel or in the car. I had started getting sick by this point, so, it was at least ok. The best part of the fundraiser was Jeff Foxworthy. I cant say Im a huge redneck fan, but his standup at the fundraiser wasn't based around it at all and was actually rather amusing.

We did venture out and do some shopping at a huge mall down there. It was an experience, there was an American Girl store. HUGE. American Girls sure aren't what I remember growing up with. But it was a good time. Plus we ate a lot in Georgia. I just can't say no to dessert! But who can blame me? You just HAVE to have Peach Cobbler when in the peach state!


One random note, we stayed at a Marriott while we were there. One that had three restaurants, a Starbucks, and a fitness room the size of the CF rec center. This was not the amazing part though. Somehow, we managed to get on the concierge floor, which is the top (17th) floor. The rooms were normal (with turndown service, complete with chocolates on the pillow, and an area rug in the bathroom). But there was an entire room on the floor that had free sodas and waters at all times. Plus an open honor bar with all sorts of liquor, fruits, appetizers, desserts, tvs and games. It was ridiculous. And awesome. Free food = always awesome.

I can't say that I would love to live in Georgia, at least until they get apparating/teleporting down to an actual science so I don't have to drive anywhere, but it was a good trip all in all.