An Unlikely Friendship

“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation.” ― Paulo Coelho

It was an early Monday morning in mid-August and I had a few hours to kill in downtown Atlanta waiting for some of my co-workers to arrive in town.  The plan was to meet at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and then take make the 90 minute drive Northeast to Georgia's High Country region for our Sales retreat.

Sweet Auburn was only a 20 minute walk north-east of my hotel, so I thought I would pay my respects by visiting Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthplace.  Martin Luther King’s vision for a greater America – one that would let all people of colour have equal opportunity – had come a long way since the Civil Rights Movement era as Barack Obama was already 8 months into his first term as the first Black President by the time I had visited Atlanta.

Fairlie-Poplar District

Casually walking by the Fairlie-Poplar Historic District along the way, I decided to stop at one point to take a photo of this beautiful tree-lined side street and the surrounding area.  It was here when a homeless man approached me to ask if I would like my photo taken.  Slightly confused at first, I agreed and allowed him to take my picture.  Normally I do not interact with homeless people – let alone allow any of them to take my photo with my camera – but my gut instinct said he was harmless and someone I could trust.

He was a middle-aged, portly black man not much taller than me with a bit of a beer gut and a ball cap wearing a bright blue t-shirt, slightly dirty blue jeans, and a knapsack.  I could tell right away that he hadn't been living on the street for very long – maybe for a few days or even a week.  His physical appearance gave off this positive vibe.

Underground Atlanta

After taking my picture and exchanging pleasantries, he asked me what I was up this morning.  “I'm actually waiting for some co-workers to arrive around noon before we head off to our retreat, so I wanted to check out downtown for a bit.”

He offered to be my tour guide for the next couple of hours and show me around, including Sweet Auburn.  “Look, I can either beg you for some change or I can earn my keep and do some work to earn it.”  He had a point.

Georgia State Capitol

Before we headed off to Sweet Auburn, he took me to a few nearby attractions, including Underground Atlanta and the State Capitol building.  During this time, he shared his life story with me.  Divorced with a couple of grown children with one heading off to College soon, he was a successful blue collared worker some 15 odd years ago.  But, his marriage fell apart when he caught his wife cheating on him with his Best friend. 

Devastated, he turned to booze to numb the pain.  As with any alcoholic, his drinking became unmanageable and he ended up losing his job and home while bouncing between shelters since then.

“Do you still keep in contact with your family at all?”

“Oh yes, I do.  In fact, they have even offered to take me into their home,” he replied.

“Well, why don’t you just go and stay with them and get off the streets for good?”

“Look, I appreciate their offer.  But, I got myself in this mess and I am determined to get myself out of it one way or another.  I want to be successful again on my own terms.”

It was a bit crazy that he refused the support, but I was in no place to judge here as he was taking accountability for his own mistakes and working hard to make up for them.

Sweet Auburn

We continued making small talk by the time we entered Sweet Auburn.  My first impressions of the area were negative.  A run down, poor neighbourhood stuck in the oppressive 1960s contrasted the dominating downtown skyline only a few blocks away behind us.  It was mind-boggling to see boarded up restaurants and questionable characters roaming around the streets here.

 “Relax, nothing’s going to happen to you.  They know you are here with me, so they’ll leave us alone.”

Not realizing my inner turmoil was showing on my face, I was embarrassed by that comment, but proceeded to walk further into Sweet Auburn.

Contrast between Sweet Auburn & Downtown Atlanta

It was only a few more blocks before the old, rusted Ebenezer Baptist Church sign appeared before us.  We had arrived at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

Here at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, visitors can take a look at the historical Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr. King gave sermons as a Pastor although it was in the process of being restored while we there.  The current Ebenezer Baptist Church sits right across the street to accommodate an ever-growing congregation in the years following Dr. King's death.

Beside the current church is the Visitor Center dedicated to the life and accomplishment of Dr. King.  Even though we may have had a few stares at our direction by the other visitors in the Center, I was too oblivious to notice or even care as the homeless man and I engaged in serious discussion about the Civil Rights Movement.  Appearances aside, I was dealing with an articulate and intelligent man here and it clearly showed.

Ebenezer Baptist Church

After giving me as much time as I needed at the Center to read up on Dr. King’s accomplishments, we proceeded to head further East another block along Auburn Avenue before we arrived at Dr. King’s birthplace.  We paused for a few moments as there was a tour going on and we were listening in on the conversation.  I snapped a few photos here before deciding that we needed to head back towards my hotel as it was getting close to noon.  Before we did, though, we stopped by Dr. King’s tomb to pay our last respects.

At the end of the tour, I gave my thanks and sincere appreciation to the man who became more of a fatherly figure to me in the end.  Of course, I gave him some money for his troubles, which he said would be used to stay at the nearby homeless shelter.  Although I had my suspicions, I fought my cynicism as it was his choice to do whatever he pleased with that money.  He earned it after all.

Dr. Martin Luther King's Tomb

Before we said our goodbyes, I gave the man some words of encouragement and hope for getting his life back on track.  “Next time I am in Atlanta, I hope I can look you up online and see that you are doing more tours of downtown Atlanta,” I said to him because he had the gift of the gab and was extremely bright.  He just chuckled and said thanks.

I wish I had written his name down because I no longer remember it.  If I had the choice, I would call him Joe – as in the “Average Joe” – because he really taught me that you can’t  judge people by the way they look, including the homeless.  For all we know, we too can experience some unexpected hardships in our lives one day and have the same fate as Joe. 

Thanks, "Joe!"

But, Joe also showed me what humility and self-determination is all about in his quest to get himself back up on his feet.  It seemed symbolic that these lessons about prejudice were taught to me in Dr. King’s own backyard.  Joe, if you ever stumble upon this blog one day, thank you.  I pray that you have gotten your life back on track.

World of Coca-Cola

Probably one of the most interesting attractions I have ever seen is the World of Coca-Cola.  Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta at Pemberton Place across from Olympic Park and beside the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola is a two-story museum that takes you through the history of the World’s #1 soft drink.  Admission to the museum is $16 US/Adult, and hours of operation vary depending on the time of the year.  Generally speaking, it is open from 10am – 5pm seven days a week and only closes on American Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

World of Coca-Cola

You can either do a self-guided tour or book a VIP tour at the World of Coca-Cola.  I chose to do a self-guided tour as there is enough information around to learn more about what you are looking at.  It will take at least 2 hours to do a complete tour of the museum depending on your interests.

Artwork in the main foyer of the World of Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola Loft
Located on the first floor right in front of the entrance, this exhibit displays some very unique, one-of-a-kind artifacts.  Everything from plates and paintings to 1950s café signage and Coke machines can be found here.  This area gives you a brief glimpse of some of the other displays you can find throughout the museum, so at most, spend only about 15 – 20 minutes here.

Coca-Cola Loft

Happiness Factory Theater
This area is more designed for young children and shows a brief animated film of a magical world inside a Coke machine to teach you "the five lessons of Happyfication."  Cheesy, I know.  So unless you bring young children to the World of Coca-Cola, you can either skip this altogether or save it toward the end of your visit.

Sample Coca-Cola artefacts

Milestones of Refreshment
By far this one is my favourite exhibit as it takes you through the entire history of Coca-Cola.  It goes through each decade starting in 1886 when Dr. John S. Pemberton invented the secret formula that would one day become the World’s #1 selling soft drink.  If you are interested in the Sales achievements of Coca-Cola or where they began global expansion or how they helped Atlanta win the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, then Milestones of Refreshment will not disappoint.  You can easily spend up to 90 minutes here and still feel like you have not learned enough about Coke.

Coca-Cola Advertisements & Artwork

Coca-Cola Polar Bear
Much like the Happiness Factory Theater, the Coca-Cola Polar Bear is geared more towards children and located on the first floor.  If you want to get your photo taken with Coke’s famous mascot, then by all means take a few seconds here to get it done.

Coca-Cola parody of the Mona Lisa

Vault of the Secret Formula

This exhibit addresses some of the myths and legends associated with Coca-Cola.  How does it get its taste?  Is there a secret additive to keep customers hooked?  The Vault of the Secret Formula is good for about a 20 – 30 minute walk through as it provides some scientific answers to these types of questions.  After this, go upstairs to the second floor and check out the Secret of the Formula 4-D Theater for a nice complimentary experience.

What really is in the "Secret Recipe" of Coca-Cola?

Bottle Works

Walking through this exhibit gives you a simulated experience of how a bottling plant works.  10 – 15 minutes is more than enough time to spend here, but definitely stop by to take a peak. As you see these bottles pass you by at Bottle Works, make sure you grab a bottle of free Coke on the way out of the museum. 

The Bottle Works Exhibit

LIVE POSITIVELY® Portrait Wall
An interesting exhibit located right beside the 4-D Theater, this interactive display explains where and how Coca-Cola is helping society.  Definitely spend about 10 minutes here if you have the time and check out how Coca-Cola is helping to protect the worldwide Polar Bear population.

Coca-Cola parody of American Gothic

Pop Culture Gallery
If he were still alive today, I imagine that Andy Warhol would take great joy in this exhibit.  This is where pop culture and commercialism become one in the same – where Art literally meets with Coke.  Visitors can easily spend 30 minutes here admiring fan submitted artwork displaying their love of Coke.

"American Idol" Casting Couch

Norman Rockwell paintings proudly display the famous red and white logo in them.  American Gothic meets American Commercialism.  And if you get a strain in your neck looking at all the paintings in the room, feel free to grab a seat on the casting couch from the fourth season of American Idol.

Perfect Pauses Theater
This is the last theater exhibit in the World of Coca-Cola Museum.  Unlike the other two theater exhibits, Perfect Pauses is geared more toward adults as it allows you to sit back and watch memorable Coca-Cola commercials through the years and from around the world.

Coca-Cola parody of Whistler's Mother

Taste It!
Whatever you do, make sure you save this exhibit for the end!  Here you can sample every single Coca-Cola brand and flavour from around the World.  With over 100 flavours to choose from, you will certainly get your sugar fix on for a good hour here.  The only thing that really disgusted me afterwards was skipping dinner as I was not hungry for the next few hours due to all the sugar I ingested by sampling each flavour.

Grab a complimentary Coke when you leave the World of Coca-Cola!

Weech’s Warning: There is one flavour here that is so revolting that there are no words to describe it. I once had soap put in my mouth as a child for using foul language, and I would rather taste that again then take another drop of this repulsive soda.  I won’t spoil it for you by giving you the name of it.  You will just have to go to the World of Coca-Cola yourself and figure it out.