Atlanta: Home of CNN and Coca-Cola

Two weeks ago, I flew down to Atlanta, Georgia to visit a dear friend of mine. As I passed through security I came to realize that I hadn't been to a new city all on my own in over two years (when I still lived in Lyon, France and would regularly hop on a train or a plane to check out a new city once a month.) Much to my surprise, I learned that Atlanta is the world's busiest airport.

I was psyched to introduce my five senses to what Atlanta had to offer. I decided not to plan anything ahead of time, just where and when to meet my friend once I got off the MARTA. I didn't realize how much I missed being out in the unknown all alone.

I followed my friend to one of her urban planning classes at Georgia Tech once we met up. Sitting in on a class really made me miss school and realize that my current position does not push me as much as I need. It's funny to think about how much you complain about deadlines and work your entire time as a student, but once that's gone from your life, your desire for reading assignments, papers, and tests takes over your being. (Well, at least for me anyways). 

After her class we headed out to Lawrenceville where she works as an intern. I wandered the little town on my own for a few hours. I came across quite a few antique shops and a lovely sweets shop called Blue Rooster Bakery. I enjoyed an enormous chocolate chip whoopie cookie and free sweet tea as I revisited old stories I wrote during college. To say the least, I was finally motivated and inspired again. 

This picture does not do justice to the glorious sweets available at Blue Rooster.

NOM

Church

Civil War memorial

That night we met a high school friend at Takorea, a Korean-Mexican restaurant with quite nifty interior decorations. The food was delicious, but I, once again, didn't think to ask for sauce on the side. My tongue was on fire and I could barely get a word into the conversation because I was slurping down so much water. 

The following day I headed off to Five Points to check out the few main attractions Atlanta has to offer visitors. I first explored CNN Center. I got a bite to eat at the enormous food court as I waited for my tour to start. At the end of the tour, the guide asked me if I was grading her presentation as I walked out the door. "No, I'm just a mere editor interested in how things work on the TV side of things." She looked a bit relieved but still suspicious of all my note taking during the hour long tour. 

A few fun facts I learned:

• CNN started broadcasting in 1980; CNN.com launched in 1995; CNN en espagnol started in 1997.
• Prior to being their headquarters, CNN Center was formerly an enclosed theme park. The escalator going through the mini globe is the tallest escalator in the US, reaching 198 feet. The blue tiles on the floor of the food court make up the 7 continents. There are gold stars signifying where the main studios are located.
• Their main US studio offices are located in Atlanta, New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., but they have a total of 45 bureaus worldwide, including ones in London, Hong Kong, and Abu Dhabi.
• HLN used to be called CNN2. It was launched in 1982. 
• HLN focuses more on entertainment, sports, and opinion shows. It is a domestic only channel which airs Monday through Friday. Weekend episodes are pre-recorded.
• The camera in Studio 7 is worth $300,000 and, understandably, only one person has permission to use it.

Looking up from the food court

Love all the flags!

Outside of the headquarters

CNN newsroom

HLN newsroom

After I explored CNN Center, I wandered through Olympic Park to get to the World of Coca-Cola. There was a very cheery tour guide who started everything off with a quick introduction and brief film on the infamous polar bear family. Then, we were off to explore on our own. I took my time walking through the museum, intrigued by the ridicuously successful advertisement and marketing strategies Coca-Cola has maintained over so many years. I also jotted down a few facts during my self-guided tour.

• Did you know that during its first year, Coca-Cola sales averaged a mere 9 drinks a day?
• When the fizzy drink came to the market, the most popular flavors for fountain drinks were lemon, orange, vanilla, pineapple, strawberry, cherry, and chocolate. 
• In 1916, Coca-Cola introduced its contour bottle to assure customers that they were getting the real deal. A lot of bottling companies tried to recreate and sell their own versions, so clearly Coca-Cola had to do something about the knock-offs. 
• A WWII Russian general allegedly ordered clear Coca-Cola, as he "wouldn't be seen drinking an 'American' drink."
• Asa Griggs Candler bought the company for a mere $550.
• Candler also launched the marketing strategy which would transform the drink, adding the logo to everyday household items like serving trays and glasses. He also introduced the first widespread use of sampling coupons. By 1920, one in nine Americans had tried the drink for free!
• By 1930, there were 64 bottling plants in 27 countries. Each state had its own way of identifying where the drink had been bottled (usually by way of a stamp on the bottom of the bottle). 
• Today more than 70% of the company's revenue comes from outside of the United States.
• Did you know that Coca-Cola tried to change its formula in 1985? That move didn't go as well as planned and they quickly returned to the original recipe.
• The first mention of the infamous polar bear occurred in a French ad in 1922 (see below).
• Coca-Cola started sponsoring the Olympic Games in 1928. They currently have torches on display from a few of the most recent games, including one from this year's Sochi Games.
• Today, The Coca-Cola Company makes approximately 500 different drinks.

One of the original dispensers

First mention of the polar bear

Tasting room

 National Center for Civil and Human Rights soon to open across from the World of Coca-Cola

After my tour, I took my time walking back to my friend's apartment. I took in the sunshine, people watched, and got lost on purpose. Later that night we headed to Brick Store, which was absolutely fabulous. I felt like I was back in my favorite little bar in Lyon. The exposed brick, wood booths, delicious beers, and generally relaxed atmosphere fed my philosophical state-of-mind with more hunger to explore a variety of new topics spinning around up in that brain of mine.

One of the two main skylines

Don't worry, that's not all folks! I have a second exploration of Atlanta coming soon. (I simply have too many pictures for one post!) Stay tuned for Margaret Mitchell, the 1996 Olympic Games, Aziz Ansari, and the Civil War's impact on the "most Northern city of the South."

If you're in need of some musical inspiration until Sunday's Sing Along post, do check out my go to gal, Banks. I cannot wait to see her in concert this June.

Until then, cheers to the freakin' weekend!

Besos,

La petite pamplemousse