Well we are now in Atlanta, Georgia – the place where Martin Luther KIng Jr was born and subsequently lived and preached.
The motorway was clear driving to Heathrow and we were able to check in with plenty of time to spare. Linda needed to re-register her IRIS account so she can get into the country quicker instead of queuing at Immigration. We found Starbucks and it was time for a coffee whilst Linda wandered around a few shops. The plan was leaving at 14.05 and so we boarded about 13.30.
We were flying premium economy and as I had booked in online 24 hours earlier we had the front seats (the front seats of our cabin – not the front seats of the plane – the pilot needed those.)
It was a very smooth flight and we arrived about 6pm Atlanta time (they are 5 hours behind English time). Linda had watched some Harry Potter rubbish on the plane – and I feel asleep. Atlanta airport is very strange – we landed at Concourse E – passed through the very cheerful (not) immigration sections, waited 30 minutes for our bags and then you have to go through customs and give your bags back again. You then go through a search area, back into the main airport and take the train to the exit where you again wait another 30 minutes for your bags to arrive.
As we were arriving in the evening in Atlanta we had booked a Best Western Hotel near the airport. Another courtesy bus was going that way – so he gave us a lift. Linda said ‘Will the hotel have internet’. I said ‘yes’ She said ‘that’s good – I will be able to use Facebook to check my farm’.
She has become addicted to Farmville on Facebook and keeps going on about her animals and harvesting her crops. My laptop finally gave up the day before we left and so I had to bring Linda's – so she keeps wanting to use it – which has delayed the writing of the blog.
The hotel was ok – no-one was smiling or saying “have a good day”. The only place to eat was Macdonalds so we ended up with a chicken burger and fries for our meal. We were both tired but tried to keep a wake for a while and go to sleep American time – which we managed but I still woke up at English time.
We were moving to the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel at Buckhead in the north of the city until Tuesday morning and we took the metro to go there. It was then about a mile walk from the Metro Station but at least there was a Starbucks on route – so we had to stop for an Egg nog latte.
Our rooms weren’t ready as we were early but they have complimentary transportation so had a ride in a Lincoln Limo to the Mall. Linda wanted to go shopping and visit Maceys! We spent a couple of hours there but Linda didn’t buy anything. We discovered that if you walked around the Food Court trying to decide what to eat – they gave you small portions to try for free – so I walked around twice trying anything – and then was full up so I didn’t need to buy anything – who said there isn’t such a thing as a free lunch!
Linda was constant visitor to the Hershey’s chocolate stall where they were giving away free chocolates.
After a couple of hours we came back to the Hotel, Linda was tired so she had a sleep – must be her age and I did some work on the computer, unpacked and planned the next few days.
At 5pm the Manager has a ‘welcome time’ – with more food and snacks, all free. There were sandwiches, cheese, chicken wings, vegetables and a few other bits – so we don’t need to eat out this evening either.
We did go for a walk as we needed some cold drinks and water for the fridge. There are not many shops near here, but we found one so we are ok.