Hangin’ in Atlanta

Our visit to Atlanta was only 3 days long and specifically to catch up with my buddy from schooldays, Judy Vargas (nee Ambler), as well as my friend James Vieira. We didn’t get to see Atlanta city, but that wasn’t the point.  It had been 15 years since I’d seen both of them and isn’t it cool how so much time can pass, but once you get together it just seems like yesterday.  James was kind enough to put himself at our beck and call and drive us everywhere, including a 3 hour trip to the mall to buy new luggage after Continental Airlines wrecked ours.   Jude and her husband Rene whisked us up to their beautiful home in Monroe, an hour and a bit East of Atlanta where we yapped so solidly for hours that the boys couldn’t get a word in edgeways.  We had a truly wonderful time in Atlanta thanks to my friends and found it quite refreshing after New York and a very pleasant  stint before our long trip home. 

Old mates Haven’t changed a bit we reckon	I instantly fell in love with Jude’s 8 week old adorable miniature Daschund, Ginger	Jude & Rene
Everything is big in the States!  Jude & Rene’s 38 foot luxury “trailer”.  The little brown blob on the lawn is Ginger.	Linz & Rene at the kitchen bench of the trailer.  8 tonnes of luxury. Couldn’t get over the size of it.	Jude & Linz being silly with a neck pillow
Linz & James at Starbucks while I decide on new luggage	James’ beautiful Mom, in amazing shape for 92	Good mates

Atlanta Travel Mishap ** Update **

After our first booked flight from NY to Atlanta leaving without us we had to wait another hour and a half till the next flight departed.  We were first in the queue!  I ‘phoned James in Atlanta and told him we’d be late and that our bags had already gone and I was really worried about them and I described them.  The Continental plane to Atlanta was tiny and I was beside myself when we hit turbulence.  To my delight, we arrived safely and James was there to meet us.  We were about to head off to Baggage Claim to see if we could locate our bags, but James smiled and said “I already have your bags in my trunk” !!!!!!!!!  I was unbelievably thankful and mortified at the same time.  James had still gone to the airport at the arrival time of the first flight, identified and removed our bags from the carousel.  I’m so, so pleased for that, but at the same time it’s scary that just anyone can walk into baggage claim and take whatever they like.  Linz’s suitcase has been badly damaged, and the shuttle driver to NY airport ripped my new suitcase, but hey, at least we have our stuff.  James had found us an amazing motel to stay in so we dumped our gear and went out for a very pleasant meal and then to a bar for a well needed few drinks to relieve the stress of our day.