After a few trips to Atlanta, I never really saw outside of my friend’s home or a church were Derek and Sandra played. Not the “real” Atlanta. For sure my past trips counted as I had been to Atlanta but didn’t have the true Atlanta experience. I don’t know if there really is such a thing, but I feel that I had it this past weekend.

Its been a while since probably too many people in one house had happened. I for some reason love times like those. Sure there are times I get annoyed if someone takes too long in the bathroom or something but nothing major. The idea of being that close with good friends for a weekend just makes it that more fun. All 14 (I believe) of us went to a Braves game on Friday evening (and of course they played the Mets. New York is everywhere!) which I was really looking forward to. My family went to Dodgers game a lot for two season growing up. For some reason between the 4th of July Grasshoppers game and the Braves, I’m getting back into baseball again. Turner Field is also this famous stadium so it was fun just being there. Sadly we didn’t make it to the Coke Museum which was the only disappointment to me of the weekend. I’m sure there are many more Atlanta things I need to experience for the complete Atlanta experience.

We did however go to IKEA on Saturday which was probably more fun that appropriate with a large group of people. We sat in the fake rooms and modeled how it should be used and took lots of pictures. Atlanta is also one of those places that’s so big (described to me as a puddle of water, spreads out everywhere) that it takes a while to get anywhere. Which means we got to ride the famous Marta. Marta was no ones friend by the end of the evening (we all were very tired from walking and heat) but riding a subway type transportation was fun. Also feel we walked a lot, but I sweated a lot. I think my southern friends who grew up with the humidity do not have the same problem as a I do, but part of me is thinking of growing out my bangs. They just might work on me in the humid south if my forehead cant keep up with the heat.

As with being with a large group of friends, you never seem to have enough time with everyone. You’ll get bits and pieces but nothing ever seems like enough. Wanting to bounce from person to person to get in all that you can without cheating anyone. Remembering things about people you hadn’t seen in a while and wishing we all lived closer to one another. All and all, a good weekend that seemed to go back so fast. Now its time to get back to “real life” and get some rest from the whirlwind weekend.

( Photos are on flickr too.)