An International FOCUS Users convention took me to Atlanta in 1992. 
After several hours on the plane ride from San Jose, I 
arrived at Atlanta airport.  The airport terminal is huge 
and the underground train (MARTA) runs right through the 
terminal.   It also takes you straight to any downtown  hotel.  
My first impression with MARTA was that it was a convenient, 
clean and efficient mode of  transportation system. I took 
MARTA to the Hyatt Hotel in the downtown area. 

When I reached the station for the hotel, I should have 
gotten off the MARTA and walked through the tunnel that leads 
directly to the hotel lobby. Instead, I came out of the 
underground station with my  baggage. There were few people in the 
street downtown since it was Saturday. There were few black
young men who stood around in front of the station.  Two of the men 
came by and offered to carry my suitcases. There was an older man on 
the MARTA train who told me that he was going to the same
convention, so we let the two men carried our suitcases and we both
followed them to the hotel. 

Later that evening, we walked from our hotel to downtown 
Atlanta and to the Underground, an enclosed shopping mall. 
We passed by many young people standing around and listening to the 
free outdoor concert. A band was playing jazz music and people seemed 
to enjoy that tremendously. They were dancing and sway along with the
music. 

The Underground was bustling with people.  People 
walking around windows shopping, milling and some were enjoying
themselves with another free concert inside the mall. There were many 
restaurants and small little shops that sells items that one would not 
find anywhere else. The sense of pride of the people who worked in 
those little places showed in their faces.  

Atlanta offers a wide variety of interesting attractions
that I made a plan to go to the convention the Saturday before 
it started. I  also got to spend that Sunday on a pre-arranged 
city tour with people from the convention. The tour took us to various 
sites such as the bus drove us around the expansive and expensive homes 
in Buckhead. 

The tour bus took us downtown passed the Underground, Coca Cola, CNN, 
and Margaret Mitchell's original house. 

We also stopped at the Martin Luther King's
Center which houses the Museum and his Tome. 

One of the show that I saw was the Cyclorama 
which is the round theatre with painting on the wall and few 
sculptures depicting scenes of the war around Atlanta. The audience’s
platforms rotate while the lights spotting the battle scenes 
accompanied by a narration. It was quiet an interesting show.

The convention started on Monday and 
we had a welcoming banquet that evening. Although the convention, 
we normally have long hours during the day with schedule of 
classes, seminars and vendors demonstration. 

One night after the seminars, we all got 
on the buses (part of the convention's fun stuff) and went to 
this place that resembled a big fun play land for grown up. We 
had a buffet dinner and went to the casino area and bet with fake 
money.  You could exchange your winning coins with gifts at the 
end of the night before you leave. There was a big pool hall with 
several pool tables, There were three different kind of night clubs; 
one was equipped with a country western band, another one had a 
rock and roll band and the last was a western saloon with a Karaoke 
Music.  People can go up and make a fool of themselves on the stage. 


I met a lady from Los Angeles and we 
took off early one afternoon from the boring seminar to go to 
ComDex (a computer show).  We also went to the Coca Cola museum. 


Atlanta is a city where people can peacefully coexist where the 
city is very ethnically diverse, as far as I can see. Many of the
people who attended the convention expressed their opinion 
(at the after-hour social gathering) that they are not very 
comfortable with the atmosphere and many cancelled their 
reservation for their extended stay. I felt that they are very 
ignorant or that they let their unwarranted FEAR overridden 
their desire to visit, explore and learn about new places. 
Fortunately for me I told myself that I want to stay and visit
and learn about Atlanta and surrounding cities even for a few days. 
I have been all around the world and this is the first opportunity 
for me to get to visit Atlanta, Georgia. 



The convention wrapped up on Thursday afternoon. By
late evening, the hotel that few days ago was filled with over 
1000 people attending the convention, and night time 
after-hours social and banquet dinner etc. was so quiet.
There were new small group of people checking in for another 
smaller convention and were or sitting around. I felt kind 
of lonely at that time and also felt kind of a big let down. 
I was a woman and all alone in this big city that I hardly 
known. 
 


* I used this experience to explain to my classmates when I
attended class for a MS degree.  I talked about "FEAR of the 
Unknown" factor but the professor corrected me.
He said to use the word UNDERSTANDING instead of FEAR.  I 
tried to insist that it was FEAR.  Now I realized that  
a man does not usually know about FEAR as a woman does 
when she TRAVELS alone in a new city.  They do not
have the instinct or the intuition that we do.
  

Before being well known as the host city of the 
Summer Olympic Games, Atlanta, has been known as a home base for 
Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With The Wind. It is also the 
birthplace for Coca Cola. I have to remind you that you would not
want to order a Pepsi in a restaurant in Atlanta, because you might
not get your drink! Coca Cola's museum which is a big building
with different levels and stages. The tour is conducted by young
lady and they are a walking tour. If you are a Coca Cola's memorabilia
collector, this place will make you yearn for all the antique 
Coca Cola items.  There is a gift shop for all kind of souvenirs.


On Friday, I took MARTA to the big and beautiful Lennox Mall
(see below) and on the way back to town, I stopped and took a tour 
at the CNN World Center. After the tour at CNN, I also took a long 
walk around downtown and discovered a small boutique with $-$10 
silk tops and pants outfits. I spent an hour and filled a shopping 
bag with tremendous buys that probably cost three times as much at
Macy's or Rich's. 



After the tour at CNN, I took MARTA back to the hotel.
A short rest and later off I went to a small shopping mall to 
pick up some films and few small items at Woolworth. A big 
loud sound of the drums and music caught my attention so I took a 
detour to one of the Peachtree Streets.

I got the best opportunity to see the African-Caribbean 
Carnival and parade. Dancers with their beautiful costumes, 
the beautifully decorated and glittering floats and different 
kind of music playing.  It was so much fun watching people 
enjoying themselves and having their best time, with joy 
in their heart. What a sight to be seen! I really felt sorry 
for the people from the convention who changed their plan 
and left Atlanta early without getting to see, and to know this
beautiful city. 

On Saturday, I took a one day tour to the Stone Mountain park and
the Plantation. My experience with Stone Mountain park was that
it is an impressive place and beautiful natural mountain. There is
a manmade Confederate sculpture on the fact of the giant, massive
and imposing granite rock that is million of years old. The tour took 
us on the tram to the top of the mountain at which you could
see Atlanta in the distant. 

The plantation was another walking tour that let you walk around 
at your own pace. You can visit and see the original southern style 
homes. There were many homes, barns and the slave houses that 
were moved from other places in Georgia. It was another wonderful 
experiences to learn about the south. 

On Saturday night it rained slightly .... "Rainy
Night In Georgia!" 

Sunday morning ... finally I left Atlanta and
Georgia. But ... Ray Charles's "Georgia On My Mind" now has  
added meanings and sentiments to my life more than ever. 

Atlanta, Georgia .. you are a beautiful city,
your people and your hospitality will always be on my mind. 




Going around - Get other information from these WEB sites: 

Martin Luther Kings Web Site
 at Stanford Univerity


Sight Seeing:

Welcome
to Atlanta:

 Atlanta
Attractions

 Atlanta
Conventions and Visitors Bureau:

 Stone
Mountain:

 Georgia's Stone Mountain is a masterpiece of
nature that amazes millions of guests from around the world. The giant
granite rock, the magnificant Confederate memorial carving, and the 
surrounding 3200-acre park are results of natural and historical events. 
Mankind and nature created this one of a kind environment for you and 
millions of other guests to experience and enjoy.

 Georgia's
Stone Mountain Park 

Georgia's Stone Mountain Park Hwy 78. (404)498-5600
3,200 acre park surrounding the nation's largest outcropping of exposed
granite. Multitudes of sites including a nearly three acre memorial carving
across the north face of the mountain, hiking trails, golf courses, night-time
laser shows in summer, locomotive rides, paddleboat, beach and skylift
ride to top of mountain. 



Parks & Recreation: 

Piedmont Park midtown between 10th and 14th streets.
Children's playground, tennis courts, swimming pool, bike paths, running
& rollerskating. 

Atlanta Botanical Garden 1345 Piedmont Ave., 404
876-5859. Admission. Closed Monday & Major Holidays. Fuqua Conservatory
contains tropical, desert, & endangered plants. 

Stone Mountain Park U.S. 78, 404 498-5690. Large
Sculpture Confederate war heros. Cable car. 3,200 acre park with antebellum
plantation & historical museums. Railroad rides. Riverboat cruises.
Summer nightly laser shows. 



Historic Homes: 

Rhodes Hall 1516 Peachtree St., 
404 881-9980 Victorian Mansion headquarters for the Georgia Trust 
for Historic Preservation. 

Georgia Governor's Mansion 
391 W. Paces Ferry Rd., 
404 261-1776; (GGM) 
Closed Friday-Monday. Neoclassical mansion with
Federal-period antiques. 

Atlanta History Center including 
the New Atlanta History Museum; 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW, 
404 814-4000, (AHC-N) Includes
Tullie Smith Farm 1845 plantation house, Swan House mansion, 
& McElreath Hall. Historical artifacts & lectures. 

King Center 449 Auburn Ave., 404 524-1956 Free
Admission (KGCT) Museum dedicated to the life of Martin Luther King includes
a library, & gift shop. In front is King's tomb, where eternal flame
burns. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., birthplace 501 Auburn
Ave., 404 331-5190. (MLKBP) Ebenezer Baptist Church 407 Auburn Ave., 404
688-7263 (MLKEB) 



Historic Walks: 

Atlanta Preservation Center 156 7th St. NE Suite
3, 404 876-2040 (APC) 10 Guided tours of historic neighborhoods from Februaru
through November.



Night Life 

Underground Atlanta -- 404/523-2311 

Buckhead - Virginia Highlands Area -(North of
Downtown) and Little Five Points Area Atkins 

Park Bar & Grill 794 N. Highland Ave. 404
876-7249 Old neighborhood bar 30 plus crowd. 

Axys 1150B Peachtree St., 404 607-0922 A popular
dance club. 

Ruperts 3330 Piedmont Rd., 

Buckhead, 404 266-9834 Popular dance orchestra.


Lenox Square 3393 Peachtree St. NE, 404/233-6767.


Phipps Plaza 3500 Peachtree Rd. NE 404/261-7910.


Blind Willie's 828 N. Highland Ave., tel 404 873-2583
New Orleans & Chicago Blues Blues 

Harbor 2293 Peachtree St., 404 605-0661 New Orleans
& Chicago Blues 



Atlanta Shopping: 

Underground Atlanta 404 523-2311 Monday-Saturday
10 A.M. - 9 P.M. and Sunday noon-5 P.M. Specialty Stores, boutiques, chain
stores, resturants, & nightclubs. 

Lenox Square 3393 Peachtree St. NE, 404/233-6767.
Monday-Saturday 10 A.M. - 9 P.M. and Sunday noon-5 P.M. 200 specialty shops
and restaurants including Snooty Hooty, a women's boutique. Macy's, Rich's
and Neiman Marcus. Lenox is Atlanta's oldest and largest mall. 

Peachtree Center Peachtree Center Ave. 404 614-5000
Chain shops, restaurants, hotels, and offices. In the center's Marquis
Two Tower is the Atlanta International Museum of Art and Design 285 Peachtree
Center Ave., 404 688-2467; closed Monday. International Craft Exhibitions.


Phipps Plaza 3500 Peachtree Rd. NE 404/261-7910.
Monday-Saturday 10 A.M. - 9 P.M. and Sunday noon-5 P.M. $140,000,000 renovatation
in 1992. 130 Plus shops. Miami Circle area, in 

Buckhead off Piedmont Road. Great Antique Area.
Other Shopping Tips




Public and Botanical Gardens In Atlanta: 

Botanical
Gardens In Atlanta and Near by: 

Thai Restaurants in Atlanta:

Annie's Thai Castle                 3195 ROSWELL RD NE
Rating        2.3 
Ave. Entree:  $15-25           
This restaurant is in the Buckhead area.                                          

Bangkok Thai Restaurant             1492 Piedmont Rd.
Rating:       2.7                                                           
Ave. Entree:  $5-10
Good food with very reasonable prices 

Thai Chilli                          2169 Briarcliff Road       
Rating:  3.0                                     
Ave. Entree:  $5-10
A favorite Thai restaurant for local critics.  Famous for Pad Thai.

Other Restaurant Listing:

City
Link List

Menu Online

 American Restaurant: Nine of us went out one
night and had dinner, that after splitting the bill we each paid $37.00.
I believed it was this place:

Pano's & Paul's Rating: 3.0/5.0 (404)261-3662
1232 W PACES FERRY RD NW Atlanta ,GA Ave. Entree: $25-50 The place is grand
Style with rich furnishings. Exquisite food if you feels like an old time
European hotel restaurant, this is the place to go. 

Other Atlanta Restaurants with rating:
$$$$=Very Expensive $$$=Expensive $$=Moderate $=Inexpensive. 

Abruzzi Ristorante. $$$$ Italian elegant. 2355
Peachtree Rd., tel. (404)261-8186. Jacket advised. AE,DC,MC,V. Closed Sun.
No lunch weekends. 

City Grill. $$$$ American/Southern. 50 Hurt Plaza,
tel. 404/524-2489. Jacket advised. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.


Bone's. $$$ New York style food. 3130 Piedmont
Rd., tel. (404) 874-7600. No reservations. Jacket advised. AE,DC,MC,V.
No lunch Sun. 

Ciboulette. FR.-Bistro. $$$ 1529 Piedmont Ave.,
tel. (404) 874-7600. No reservations. Jacket advised. AE,DC,MC,V. No lunch
Sun. 

Pricci. $$$ Italian. 500 Pharr Rd., tel. (404)
237-2941. AE,D,DC,MC,V. No lunch Sun. 

Buckhead Diner. $$ American diner. 3073 Piedmont
Rd., tel. (404) 262-3336. No reservations. AE, D,DC,MC,V. No lunch. 

Indigo Coastal Grill. $$ Seafood. 1397 N. Highland
Ave., tel. (404) 876-1111. No reservations. AE,MC,V. No lunch. 

Rocky's Brick Oven Pizzeria. $ Sicilian &
Neapolitan bistro in Buckhead. 1770 Peachtree St., tel. (404) 881-1706.
No reservations. AE,MC,V. 

The Varsity. A drive-in-restaurant. Drive in fare.
$ 61 North Ave., tel. (404) 881-1706. No reservations. No credit cards.


Imperial Fez 2285 Peachtree Road (404)351-0870
Exciting aromas, fragrant spices, Reservations Suggested. 

Water's Edge 1001 Victoria Landing Drive (404)926-6755
Seafood, Barbeque and Steak 

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse 950 East Paces Ferry (404)365-0660
Steaks 

Dimitri's Greek Italian Restaurant 4651 Woodstock
Road (404)587-2700 Meditteranean food, casual fine dining atmosphere. 

Hard Rock Cafe International, Inc. 215 Peachtree
St., NE (404) 688-7625 

Chart House 6450 Powers Ferry Rd. (404) 980-1671
A welknown chained restaurant with casual elegant, fresh seafood, fresh
cut steaks, slow roasted rib. Waterside views. 

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