Talk fifty.
Atlanta, Georgia, 31st March
- Once again, a huge and persisting downpour kept us uptight during a long drive from New Orleans to Atlanta.
- It took us ten hours to beat eight hundred kilometres through Mississippi and Alabama. Tiring.
- After a short rest we went for a night tour of the city because we had to move on early in the morning. The itinerary and time are relentless and it can’t be discussed. At Starbucks, our favorite network, the Internet, and coffee are always good, and it was there where we met up with Aziz.
- He was the first American who decided to meet us.
- But he is not a native American.
- He is a black Ethiopian who was born and educated in the Netherlands and has been living in the States for ten years now.
- That’s right. Maybe why he was interested in two whities, Europeans travelling across the U.S. and he wanted to get to know us.
- The talk with Aziz, the drinks at Blake's bar and the drag queen show put us in such a good mood, so that we decided to stay in Atlanta for one more day.
- Why don’t you admit that you felt good in the company of Aziz and wanted to enjoy some more of his undeniable charm.
- And you didn’t, did you?
- It was very interesting to talk to him. Thanks to him we learned about the role of Atlanta African-American community and the local gay community. He highly praised tolerance in this city and most of all life opportunities that educated black people get it the community. In Wikipedia I read that Atlanta has recently been transformed from a regional city to a metropolis affecting the international community. During the struggle against racial discrimination in the years 1955-1968, Atlanta broke away from the southern cities of supporting segregation, identifying itself as "the city that is too busy to hate." Modern views on racial issues and a large population of African-Americans made a great number of black Americans flow into the city. They soon became the dominant social and political force in the city.
- Similarly, the same applies to the gay community.
- Aziz made it clear that neither in Europe nor in any other city in the United States he used to feel as well as in Atlanta. He radiated optimism, positive energy, and joy of life.
- Despite the lack of a steady partner. But he does not stop the search.
- He considers himself fulfilled and Atlanta has a lot to offer to him.
- The dinner with him was also very successful. The place under the oaks was impressive, and so was the waiter.
- And how nice he was! We’d almost been late for the dinner.
- It wasn’t my fault!
- Well, I didn’t accost anyone in Blake's Bar where we went for a drink before dinner.
- And what happened that Bobby, how he introduced himself, came up to us and started that kind of strange conversation?
- We were standing at the bar, sipping our drinks when I’d come back from the toilet. On my way to the bar I looked around and saw a guy was leaning against the wall.
- And he came up right away?
- Speaking half-seriously – Why are you laughing at me? – I answered that I was laughing to him not at him.
- Was he stoned?
- For sure he was after a few drinks, but he was far from being drunk.
- He was quite direct in his approach of kissing you.
- What do you mean? He kissed you too.
- Quite casually. He really wanted to dance with you.
- What do you mean casually? He turned me around a couple of swirls.
- You looked happy.
- Because this time it was a pretty young guy. The whole situation was quite amusing to me. He wanted to go with us for another drink to another bar.
- The dinner with Azizem saved us.
- Why saved? It could’ve been fun.
- Ooooooh!
- You should be glad that I still able to attract some young guys too. He flattered my gay ego.
- I'm glad, I'm glad and I'm proud of you. Really.
- Atlanta is good for everything! And for everybody!
- We were in Rome and didn’t see the Pope, but here in Atlanta we got to see the Museum of Coca-Cola!
- You can call the museum a tourist trap because there was not much interesting to see...
- There are some curiosities but I didn’t like their quite boring presentation.
- ... but the story of the drink is impressive, even if it is not my favorite beverage.
- Good with whisky! The museum offered some Coca-Cola testing, but without alcohol, unfortunately.
- It all began in Atlanta in 1886. Just as CNN was founded in 1980.
- I think we spent two successful evenings, although we were soaked with rain to the skin walking in the park which the city is so proud of.
