Oh, the list of places to see is so long and the time is so limited. The more I go and see, the more I find to explore. It’s a vicious circle.
And wouldn’t you know, on this particular day I had a morning activity and a nighttime activity in Atlanta. The wisest course of action was to spend the entire day in the city. It was an action-packed weekend, with all kinds of activities that I was not taking part in (music festival, Georgia Tech football, major golf tournament) but needed to navigate around. This was a happy challenge, but involved a crazy amount of planning – I had to take two outfits, I couldn’t take MARTA, and I had to find places to park all over the city. This is where my true country mouse roots are revealed: I hate trying to park in the city.
Somehow I came up with plenty to do in the hours between the mosque tour and the Elvis Costello concert.
West Side: Drove around a little, actually found a couple of the restaurants I’ve read so much about. I skipped them in favor of a more casual lunch al fresco. Also found out where Room and Board is located, in what appears to be a very cool adapative reuse. I can’t afford anything there, but it would be fun to window shop some day this winter.
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum: Went to see “Read My Pins,” a very interesting exhibit about the jewelry worn by Madeleine Albright, on display there. When she was Ambassador to the United Nations, but even more when she was Secretary of State, she wore pins to impart a certain message or to reflect her mood. You may have seen her book by the same name, which shows her collection and some of the stories behind the pins.
The museum, library and the Carter Center are situated on gorgeous grounds right in Atlanta, complete with Japanese gardens and a lake. I saw only a small percentage of the area. I’ll definitely be back as one of my favorite authors, Simon Winchester, is speaking there in November. I’m very glad I went today because I thought the signage was totally confusing and there’s no way I would have found it in the dark.
Inman Park: Nearly every weekend I plan to go into this area to write at a particular restaurant, and this weekend I finally did. It’s a great atmosphere, especially with the windows and doors open to let in the beautiful day. I fell into a conversation about writing, literature and weblogs, an added bonus to this stop. I’m inspired to post more, and to read more!
Chastain Park: Until this stop, I didn’t have to pay for parking all day! Kind of a miracle. I might have been able to avoid it here, but that was a chance I was unwilling to take. This is in an area of town I know the least about – Buckhead. I consider it the least interesting part of Atlanta. I got to the show way too early, but fortunately I had a stockpile of books and magazines to pass the time.
This was my first foray to Chastain Park, a small amphitheatre that allows people to bring in food and drink. The couple seated next to me were pros – they had their own small table, bottle of wine, etc. I think they may have planned the day to a greater degree than I did, but they explained it as they “don’t get out much.” The wife had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed the concert. Her wish-list song was “She,” an EC song from the “Notting Hill” soundtrack that I’m not familiar with. (He didn't play it.)
I went to the show with no wish-list song, because it’s a concertgoing habit I am working to break. That being said, I was very happy to hear “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding.” It makes me think of Nick Lowe, and after experiencing the mosque and reading of the work of Secretary Albright, I consider it the theme song for this day.
Georgia Confidential 