The time has arrived and it will be my first time in America. It is just a business trip hence I am just being in Atlanta, but it is still an opportunity to experience the southern part of America and its people. I am very excited to see new places and have some great adventures.
I love my job; I like the people I work with. The tasks and responsibilities match my knowledge and challenge me in a good way. The job opens new doors for me and I like that fact that it brings me to other places.
I am going to stay for two weeks in Atlanta and look forward to the humid heat and the recommended soul food. I made a few plans and hope to meet new people.
I had a mini cab (02030067799) booked for the morning at 6 am for my departure. When I woke up the first time it was 4:30, so I still had an hour to sleep. Little did I know that my phone switched off by itself and the alarm didn't go off at 5:30am. I woke up and it was sunny outside. Panic! I jumped out of the bed, changed quickly into new clothes, switched my phone on to see what time it is and if I will make it or if my plane was already on its way without me. It was 6:35. First thing I did was calling the cab company, apologising a thousand times that I overslept, didn't hear the knocking at the front door (my housemates were so kind and closed the kitchen door when they came home from a night out to make sure they don’t disturb my deep sleep) and let the driver wait. I asked them to send another one as soon as possible. The next one was available in 20 minutes for no extra costs.
I run upstairs to brush my teeth’s, washing my face, thrown the last things I needed into my suitcase, hoping I didn’t forget anything in the rush (and if, I can buy it in America). Checked ticket and passport and was ready to go after 15 minutes.
The driver arrived. I was sure I make it still on time, and if not, that’s the way it was meant to be. But even after some traffic on the M4 and diversion to the A4 I made it on time for check in.
The flight apparently was overbooked and Delta Airline was looking for volunteers that would be willing to switch to another flight the next day and would pay for one night at the Hilton and give a $1000 voucher for a flight of your choice. Who am I to say no to that offer? I was informed that depending on how many people would show up I would need to stay or could fly. Unfortunately the aircraft had enough seats available; maybe next time!
I am a little bit surprised of the bad quality of the aircraft from Delta and compared with other airlines that I had used previously it is in the lower category. The service however is nice and quick. The food is good and the entertainment offers a variety as well.
During the flight I chose to watch the Chronicle, a bad choice. I didn’t enjoy the movie from a story line and production site.
The next movie I watched was Wanderlust, funny, but not challenging; a typical Jennifer Aniston piece. And finally I watched the super hyped movie Hunger games. If you read the books, you will be disappointed; the production was alright, the storyline and the acting ok.
I arrived at the new Terminal of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. I can’t really describe the feeling the second I put my feet’s on American Ground. It felt a little bit like in the hyper dramatic movies but yet, like any other airport as well. I am not sure why it is for so many people a dream to live in America or why America is the best country. At the border I received my new shiny stamp in my passport and continued. A very looooooong walk to the exit.
Anyway, I arrived at the Hotel in Sandy Springs, which is a 20 minute drive away from Downtown. Atlanta doesn’t really have a central city, but there are places that are a bit more crowded. Sandy Springs is more some kind of suburbs.
I arranged a get together for the evening with some people from couchsurfing.org (CS) and we met in Brookhaven in the evening. This was after I failed to get a phone. Apparently you need a Phone in order to get a sim card working; you cannot just take any unlocked phone. You will need a phone that comes from the same provider. Of course I was not willing to buy a phone that might not work in Europe. After I brought the first sim card I bought back (yeah I got a refund) I made further arrangements via messages online. We managed to meet up without having a phone! It is kind of sad how much we rely these days on phones. Arranging a time and place doesn’t seem to be enough anymore. The train system in Atlanta is pretty easy and brings you pretty much everywhere you need to be. If you need to get further away, you certainly require a car.
That is one of the things I observed here so far, people drive everywhere and they are not used to walking. Even if it is just for lunch next door, people drive.
We went together to the Virginia Hills and head a nice little bar dinner. I was so tired and jetlagged that I said good bye pretty early to head back. The next day was spent with sleeping in, a quick meet up for Sushi with someone from CS. I spent the rest of my first Sunday walking around the area, having dinner and done some shopping.
During the week I mostly had to work, but we went out on Thursday to a Spanish Tapas Bar. It was great and we had a good time. And of course the food was awesome.
The weekend arrived and with it a friend from another State. We didn’t plan too much and just wanted to go with the flow.
At first we decided to head to the Aquarium and see what the biggest tank in the world looks like. As soon as we arrived we checked out the tickets and the gentleman in front of us turned around and asked us if we had our tickets already. After the answer no followed from us, he asked if we would like to get in for free. Of course! What a question. He actually got us tickets and we got in for free. The normal admission is 30$ so that was awesome! I have to admit I was pretty impressed with the tank, but overall I found the prices expensive for what is on offer.
This was followed by a visit to Emily, one of the CS’s from last week and we had a nice casual night in and enjoyed great conversations and company. We had planned to get the last Metra back, but because there was no time displayed and we didn’t know when the train would come, we decided to have a midnight snack at the Waffle House next door. Best waffle I had in my life by far. It was just simple and great.
The next day started and we had rented a car for the day. The rental company asked for my passport because I had a foreign driver license, but I didn’t bring mine, they accepted it anyway. I was the dedicated driver of the day and super nervous. I didn’t drive a car in such a long time that it seems like a huge thing to do, I was excited.
It seems now very crazy, but at the time we thought it was a good idea and we drove up North to Helen, a little town in the North of Georgia and a replicate of an Alpine city. A German in America in a fake Swiss/Austria/Dutch/German city, it was fun.
On the way back I saw something that was weird, random and strange at the same time. Seeing it in movies and hearing people talk about it, I am really curious what this person must think if they still have such flags up on their house. I kind of would be scared. When taking the picture all my friend said was: Try not to get shot. Uhm ok, as you can see I am still alive ;)
We headed back towards Atlanta and stopped by the Lake Sidney Lanier, a beautiful place that is not crowded at all. After we spend some time there, we headed back to the city and got ready for dinner, this time in a Korean Restaurant in Doraville aka Koreantown.
We continued to the Westin Hotel in Downtown and paid $6 dollar for a great view over the city.
For some reason the day passed by like nothing. The driving was great and I was glad I could share this with a friend along the way, without whom the trip would have been just half as funny. Thank you E. :)
I have one more week here in Atlanta and so much more I would like to share with you, but the details such as how many different kind of M&M’s they have here might be a bit too much. Next time I will go into more detail of the southern mentality and hospitality.
So far so awesome. Read you next time and Happy Travels!
Great blog, what a great business trip!!
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