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Plaza Premium Lounge
Transborder Vancouver It was another 3 AM wake up with a 10 minute snooze this morning. I had the house all to myself today as MrsWT73 went down to Atlanta with her work colleagues a day earlier. I left the house at 3:45 AM and took a quick spin through the local 24 hour McD drive through for an Egg McMuffin prior to hitting Highway 99 for a 30 minute drive up to Vancouver International Airport. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ab58476c_b.jpg The United desks were busy this morning with the first flights of the day leaving for San Francisco, Houston and Denver within 30 minutes of each other. I had completed on line check in via the United App the day before, but I stopped by the kiosk to get a boarding card re-print, if only to get the “INTL” stamp on the card for nostalgia’s sake. Since the legalization of recreational cannabis, there are signs up at all the borders and airports in Canada cautioning about international border lines. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...49e1fda1_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b383fed3_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3f762c5d_b.jpg I headed off to security and US pre-clearance. The line this morning was quite substantial as it usually is in the morning. Thanks to Nexus and Global Entry, I was through to the secure side in less than 15 minutes. After a pass through the duty free, I headed over to the Plaza Premium Lounge Transborder. I was admitted thanks to Priority Pass. Although there was an Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in the Transborder area, I wasn’t thinking of it for some reason with Plaza Premium on my usual Alaska walking route and as a result I didn’t partake. No doubt the effects of waking up at 3 AM! https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1b68eb7c_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...df61f47e_b.jpg This place takes pretty much anybody on their list. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6054edd5_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0fe5aeb8_b.jpg This particular Plaza Premium lounge is the saddest Plaza Premium Lounge out of the 4 at YVR and one of the saddest in the system. It’s a small place that seats only 60 persons and has had heavy use over it’s life cycle. It started it's life many many years ago as an Alaska Airlines Boardroom. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...bc4cbe42_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...50b1ec4b_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...13bbf7ef_b.jpg The food service area in the lounge is smaller than my kitchen at home. Today, they were serving scrambled eggs and sausage. I ended up having a second round of eggs with scrambled eggs on toast along with an apple juice. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d390e00b_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...02a02682_b.jpg I only had about 20 minutes worth of time before the flight. As a result, I didn’t stick around here too long and packed up early and headed out into the terminal. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a74fd85c_b.jpg The global reach of CNN company is everywhere. It was a bit ironic that I’d be at their broadcasting “headquarters” on this trip. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fc950a2b_b.jpg |
United Airlines
UA 343 – First Class (P) YVR-DEN (Vancouver International Airport – Denver International Airport) April 9, 2019 06:15 AM – 10:02 AM Booked: Airbus 320 Flown: Airbus 320 It has been a long while since I’ve flown United Airlines. Since they’ve cut frequent flier earning on most paid economy fares to 50% miles, and most transborder fares can be more expensive than their domestic ones, I’ve switched in the last 3 – 4 years over to Alaska which consistently earn 100% EQM. Add a lack of available business class reward seat space, and I haven’t had much reason to fly with them. Boarding was called promptly at 5:40 AM with the initial call for those that need additional assistance for boarding, followed by military, then Zone 1 for paid first class. I was second on board and located Seat 2A. The has been refreshed since my last time on board with them. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3abe6e38_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9526b3d5_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3881c6e2_b.jpg A pre-departure beverage of water or orange juice was offered. The low rent plastic cup was a funny touch, along with the Coca Cola paper napkin. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...19b6d871_b.jpg There was in seat power available at the seat. We had a long taxi over to 26L on the south side of YVR, and had a water departure out of Vancouver today. There were some beautiful views at sunrise as we climbed to cruising altitude. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3595c44d_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3a9d527a_b.jpg Once on board and airborne, a breakfast “plate” was offered. Today’s breakfast was a fruit plate and blueberry muffin. The presentation for the food plate was pretty uninspiring. Needless to say, I was glad I had eaten twice before I got on the plane. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ed20d2ec_b.jpg Without any inflight seat back entertainment, it was a pretty dreary experience. Of course, I could have probably watched entertainment on my small iPhone screen, but what’s the fun in that? (Laughing). We arrived to Gate B11 in Denver and into the large spacious concourses that Denver is known for. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...95bf88a7_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...94b4e102_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fafa34cc_b.jpg |
United Club
Denver International Concourse B East I got off the plane and into the busy B terminal. I took the train up to Concourse C and had a meal at Timberline Steaks, courtesy of Priority Pass Select who offered a $28 USD credit. It was friendly and pleasant service. There were no issues using Priority Pass and despite being breakfast to lunch changeover, they had no issues with me waiting around seated in the restaurant for lunch menu to start at 10:45 AM. The restaurant credit is a great deal for leisure travellers not on expense and it is too bad that it is being concluded for us American Express Platinum card holders. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0cdb8878_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...840c0615_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...44131c25_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...021b22c9_b.jpg I left a tip in addition to paying for the extras. I came back to the United Club in the B Concourse. Access was granted thanks to the class of service on the ticket given that it was an “International” ticket. The United Airlines access policies are much more generous than the American Airlines One World policies that don’t allow access based on Transborder or Caribbean first class. It’s a stark contrast from Canada where access is granted based on class of service of the ticket and selling annual memberships to airlines lounges isn’t a primary revenue stream. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c8ab04b0_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b4953443_b.jpg The club is still the same as it’s old days of lore. Brown furniture mark most of the main areas with slightly newer chairs that are quite firm to sit on. As in the last time that I was here, the place was packed more reminiscent of a bus holding lounge than anywhere actually quiet or tranquil to be in. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...7bb0119d_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5ac39cb6_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5b0963c4_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6c809a0f_b.jpg At least the snacks looked a little better than the cereal silos of years past… I also picked up a Global Traveler magazine along with a glass of Copper Moon Chardonnay to keep myself entertained… https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9908d6e4_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5162d267_b.jpg The best part about the lounge were the unobstructed views of the apron. Although, being the United concourse, there weren’t much in the way of unusual airplane spotting opportunities. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...04d2fa48_b.jpg |
United Airlines
UA 313 – First Class (P) DEN – IAH (Denver International Airport – George Bush Houston International Airport) April 9, 2019 1:30 PM -- 4:51 PM Booked: Boeing 777-200ER Flown: Boeing 777-200ER United Airlines offered widebody service on a Boeing 777 between Denver and Houston. It’s a far better experience than the tiny narrow bodies that typically fly between US domestic hubs and other routes in the network. In addition to the smoother ride, it was my first time in United Business Long Haul after our Chicago – Sao Paulo flight went mechanical some 3 years ago. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...311f423c_b.jpg Boarding area was a usual collection of people waiting for something to happen. Boarding today was behind 5 groups of specialty boarding of active military, those that needed assistance, Global Services, United 1K, and kids. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...94414836_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...32033337_b.jpg On board, it was my first time sitting in the united business class seat for any length of time. The cabin is a 2-4-2 configuration with several seats facing rearward. I made my self sure to select a front facing seat. The seat itself is super compact. What is given up in space, allows for a lie flat seat. It seems that this product is nearing the end of its life as United introduces Polaris business seats. The reverse herringbone bone seats that offer direct aisle access are much better than this product. Unfortunately, this version offers very limited storage space and hardly anywhere to even store a phone within reach. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a2db04ea_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fe48b365_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c42b748c_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...aebea01a_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5b9662f9_b.jpg My seat mate appeared to be a lawyer who was working almost every minute from take off to landing. There was a pre-departure beverage of sparking wine. The usual classy plastic cup made another presence. . . https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fd3997da_b.jpg There was also surprisingly a towel service although I snoozed through it. Thankfully, there were screens and monitors at each seat. I flipped through it a little while we got underway. The United “Three Perfect Days” series featured Tahiti to align with their recent introduction of service to the French Polynesian islands. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d7c9a1cc_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...339a752f_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...21d26360_b.jpg A snack was offered on this flight. The offering was a cheese plate or beef, ginger and Asian noodle soba salad. I went with the salad along with an unnamed red wine. It was tasty, but tiny. As expected for this small portion size, I left the aircraft hungry. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f56e2c91_b.jpg We arrived into busy Houston, to gate E18. There were lots of plane spotting opportunities consistent with the oil town that Houston is. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...dce64582_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...36d1e622_b.jpg All in all the wide body United Business Class is a reasonable way to get around on a short haul flight. It’s unique to be able to fly these larger aircraft around the United States; they are around quite a bit in Canada on the Trans Contiental routes if you know where and when to look. I would imagine that it’s the same in the United States as well. |
American Express Centurion Lounge
George Bush International Airport Houston, Texas Stepping off the plane into the George Bush International Airport, I ended up in the newer part of the airport at E18. It was only my third time through this particular airport. Either the airport has upped its game or it’s a part of the airport that I wasn’t familiar with. It turns out it was a part of the airport that I had never been to. All in all, a pleasant space and I’d actually wander down to this wing if I had lots of extra time to kill on my next visit through. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...31b49dab_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...73d6190d_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d87080ab_b.jpg I found my way over to the D concourse where the American Express Centurion Lounge was located. The entry to it is well hidden and they have sign posted it reasonably well. It’s located immediately behind a duty free store. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9dd8654a_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...09cbda04_b.jpg I bypassed the attractive elevator under construction and headed down one level to a darker windowless area. Just around the corner was the reception. A friendly agent confirmed that I was on a same day connecting itin as I was just early of the 3 hour window. After those formalities, I was allowed access. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...55ae58dd_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a6d63f47_b.jpg It was my first visit to one of the original Centurion Lounges. It had a reasonable seating area similar to the other lounges in the usual attractive colourful styling. It would almost be nicer if the Centurion Lounges actually looked a little more unique and different than one another. The main drawback was the lack of available light in this dungeon area which reminded me of the old United Red Carpet Club in Seattle under the N Satellite Terminal that was a dark and dreary place. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...180e5d2c_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b4fd35e6_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ee8f9853_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...55435e01_b.jpg There were the usual small salads and snacks available, but not enough to substitute a meal. The bar had the usual wine varieties, along with the same wines as available in the Seattle Centurion. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e77afd85_b.jpg While I was seated in the lounge, the hosts made a public address announcement to report that the sole remaining elevator had gotten stuck. The only way out was through a fire door to the public side, meaning that visitors had to re-clear security. It sent a stack of people scurrying to the door, leaving the lounge in quiet isolation. I ended up staying about 50 minutes, and even that wasn’t enough to keep me entertained. During that time, the airport authority managed to get the elevator working so I headed down to the C concourse to the nearest Priority Pass restaurant. I walked past the international gates where there were a few Star Alliance airframes parked between flights in the Texas sun. I eventually came along to the George Bush statute of the past president of which the airport is named after. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f37c4665_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8a99dbf0_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...145f9ff6_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2fd3e864_b.jpg I ended up down at “Landry’s Seafood” near gate C34 for dinner, another Priority Pass restaurant. I wasn’t feeling too fishy at this point so ended up ordering Shrimp Fettucine Alfredo; comfort food to say the least. The Priority Pass restaurant option is a great future. It’s too bad it’s being removed and I hope it will return one day. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3f48fdd8_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...af2a092d_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2311c5f0_b.jpg |
United Club
Concourse C George Bush International Airport Huston, Texas. It’s not super exciting but I thought I would include it for entertainment's sake. After Landry’s Seafood, I wandered down the concourse towards the nearest United Club. Appropriate for United, there was a red velvet rope; err blue plastic line guard outside the entrance. Apprently, people queue to get in here at peak hours. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f3d80a7a_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...04c2d5fc_b.jpg However, once inside, it was pretty deserted for this weekday evening. The lounge décor was the usual Wood mahogany along with white chairs which now have now a dated look. It was pretty easy to find a lounger at this hour. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e2dc9c45_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...15b02de8_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...48993d14_b.jpg Even the television room in the back was totally empty; which was unusual for a lounge. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9f79daf8_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...60ccda67_b.jpg There were a few small seating areas in the corner where you could tuck away and complete some work. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9a20e119_b.jpg Not many people in here at this supper hour but not much reason to be. Thankfully, the usual cheese cubes and small vegetables were available as a snack. All in all, it was a reasonable if not somewhat boring place to hang out in between flights. |
United Airlines
Mesa Airlines DBA United Express UA 6237 – First Class (P) IAH – ATL (George Bush International Airport – Hartsfield Jackson ATL International Airport) April 9, 2019 7:55 PM – 10:58 PM Booked: Embraer 175 Flown: Embraer 175 At about T-30, I headed right to the gate next door to the lounge for my last flight of the day. Boarding was pretty congested, and there were at least 10 on the upgrade list waiting for a seat in the small business class cabin. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...56fc553f_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...cc4bb2fe_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e4b004ff_b.jpg The United Business configuration was the usual 1-2 in this Embraer. As with other’s there is only room for 2 rollies in the overhead bins on the right hand side of the aircraft. I found my way to Seat 3A, which was compact in the back of the business cabin. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c57ba760_b.jpg An open bar pre-departure beverage was offered. I ended up with Jack Daniels and Coca Cola. I was pretty tired from all the waiting around, the early departure this morning, and started to snooze off with the departure over Houston. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...eca94503_b.jpg I didn’t bother to take a look at the meal service, having had two light and uninteresting offerings on the last two flights. I ended up nodding off for the rest of the flight thanks to that very early morning departure. We arrived to the maze of Atlanta and surprisingly, we were into the gate quite quickly. It was a short walk out into the streets area where I found a taxi into town. All in, the United flights were pretty reasonable given their low cost that I paid for them. I'd make sure that I'd eat well in advance of my next series of flights with them since the food was pretty light. |
Glenn Hotel
Autograph Collection by Marriott Cozy Queen The hotel for this stay was selected by MrsWT73’s company as they had representatives from North America and Germany staying here. It forms part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, which I read to be Marriott’s attempt an independent and unique line of hotels that don’t bit the usual Marriott branding. It was in reasonably close proximity to the Georgia Center Convention Center in a walkable distance. I arrived to the hotel after the flights and a short 17 minute taxi for a flat $30. MrsWT73 had arrived the day before, so the room photos are previously enjoyed. Per their website, The Glenn Hotel building at 110 Marietta Street, Atlanta Georgia, was built in 1923, and was named after John Thomas Glenn, a prominent attorney and the 31st mayor of Atlanta from 1889-1891. The Glenn building was constructed on an historic site. According to the contemporary record of General Tecumseh Shermanís march on Atlanta, the house on that site, which was owned and occupied by Major Hamilton Goode of the Confederate army, was spared. It is significant to note that the intersection of Marietta and Spring Street was part of the original center of old Atlanta. Starting in 1975 the Atlanta Urban Design Commission, by the authority of the City of Atlanta, undertook a field survey of Atlantaís historic resources by a team of researchers who identified sites within the city that may have historic and/or architectural significance. In its 1981 Atlanta Historic Resources Workbook, a photo and article appear as part of the official roster of historic sites, structures and districts for the city. Again in 1987, the Commission updated the cityís inventory of historic sites and districts, which included the Glenn Building. A wave of new office development swept into downtown Atlanta on the heels of two events: the opening of the Spring Street viaduct, and the grading and paving of Spring Street out to Peachtree. The ten-story Glenn Building, commissioned by the George Fuller Company, was part of its growth, its construction coinciding with the opening of the new viaduct. It is a rather severe building, with a smooth, limestone facing. Terra cotta detailing along the base and top stories of the structure, as well as a heavy cornice, create the only relief. The building was designed by the Washington, D. C. architect, Waddy B. Wood. According to plans drawn up by Burge and Stevens, the Glenn Building was to have been part of a larger business complex, including additional office space and a garage with uniformed chauffeurs. The garage, which extends several stories under the Spring Street viaduct, was completed in 1928. The office addition, however, was never built. Richard Guy Wilson of the University of Virginia, calls the period of the 1920s and 1930s one of the great periods in American architecture and design. This period has been given different stylistic names, such as Art Deco, Modern classic, Stripped classic, Streamlined, PWA, and WPA. According to Robert M. Craig of Georgia Tech, the Glenn Building fits neatly and persuasively into this period as Modern Classic. In 1986, the building owner began the process of nominating the Glenn Building to the National Register of Historic Places. Although the application was withdrawn due to a sale of the building to the Federal Reserve Bank, the National Park Service certified the building as eligible for the National Register. In 2006, Legacy Property Group undertook a major redevelopment of the Glenn building creating the first boutique hotel in Downtown Atlanta. The building was subsequently placed on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to proudly watch over the progress of Atlanta from the corner of Spring and Marietta streets. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...81b5f673_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...11ec121c_b.jpg The lobby was an attractive area and they’ve done well for such a small space. One side of the lobby is dominated by the bar, whereas the other side has the breakfast restaurant. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b992fa9c_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3974287d_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a8f5e46d_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...52790989_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...05cc4e19_b.jpg In short, all of this to say that this means that the rooms are quite compact. Compact for one but really compact for two travelling together.I ended up storing my bag on the floor. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...97632018_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...85f45634_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5efc13f0_b.jpg The room was reasonably equipped with a cooler, martini glasses and a renovated bathroom. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1f5877da_b.jpg The shower faucet was a bit sticky. It had a shorter wand sprayer and a rain shower that I couldn’t get activated as the switcher appeared to be stuck. I ended up having a Lost In Translation “Short Shower” the first morning. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9cd69752_b.jpg Platinum breakfast at the hotel involved a choice of two items off of the special menu. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9ec5045c_b.jpg The regular breakfast menu also offered these choices. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a0fb36e7_b.jpg One of the better features of the hotel that’s worth mentioning was that it offered a happy wine hour between 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM every day in the hotel lobby bar. Although I expected this to be an upsell for supper hour, they weren’t too active with the food offerings in the lounge side. The crowd was mostly mid forties business travelers in suits unwinding after the day with their colleagues. The hotel was immediately next to the Atlanta Centential Park that was refreshed for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Instead of the hotel offering a gym, the park became my circuit for running during my stay here. In summary, it was a reasonable stay for a shorter trip. The charm of the smaller historic hotels would get wearing after a while for those that were regularily traveling for work purposes. I doubt I would be in a rush to return, instead opting for the newer Westin or other hotel offerings around town. |
Atlanta, Georgia.
I woke up the first morning and enjoyed a Platinum Breakfast with MrsWT73 and her colleagues that were filtering through the restaurant. I bid them farewell and headed off to explore for the day. I started immediately outside the hotel at Centennial Olympic Park, passing by the CNN Atlanta Headquarters almost immediately adjacent to the Glenn Hotel. The park was dedicated for the Summer Olympics held in Atlanta in 1996 and marked the revitalization of the downtown Atlanta area. It was also the site of the Centennial Olympic Park Bombing, which was a domestic pipe bomb attack during the Olympic games. The park itself is a nice and pleasant place. It’s quite open with interesting exhibits and features. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3e0a6c11_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...24e45c27_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fbe1b51b_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...732a6587_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2cca05ed_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...17da6247_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...953f693f_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d9233b71_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...20544977_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e8a2f097_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0dc3c3d5_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f5b7b380_b.jpg Many hotels anchor the area around the park. It’s a very pleasant place to walk through, at least during the daytime. In terms of history, you can even see the statute and shrapnel of where the domestic bombing occurred in the fan shaped figure at the end of the fountain pool. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a8d3b50f_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f9c4a8dd_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b3e447f6_b.jpg After wandering through to the other end of the park, I ended up at the Human Rights museum at the north end. The main feature was on the American civil rights movement. The museum outlined the struggles of this particular movement through the 1960’s, including the Civil March on Washington. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...17a52ec9_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2dc26ec2_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e9098b22_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3e1e3248_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f3b6387e_b.jpg Particularly interesting at the museum was a simulation of the “sit ins” that blacks would do at restaurants and cafeterias during the movement. The exercise involved sitting down at a counter, and while wearing headsets, obscenities and derogatory comments would be made into your ears while a timer ran. The goal was to determine how long you could maintain your composure before wanting to stop the exercise. It was particularly poignant and the highlight experience within the museum. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1152d1b6_b.jpg They also featured articles on open democracy as well as profiles of many of the worlds past “freedom fighters” https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2691edcf_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...62de35ba_b.jpg After a tour through the museum, I wandered back through the park and headed for downtown in order to self situate and orientate. I passed by many more Olympic references and statues that commemorated the games. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e677aa3d_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...35e718bc_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...61a3cd28_b.jpg Downtown had the usual amenities, although there was a subtitle reference in tourist brochures and similar publications to stay out of downtown at night. I was surprised to see how leafy and treed the downtown core was, amongst it’s historic buildings. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b0bec81b_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...00697a6b_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...83d337b8_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...7782f0d6_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b7575b13_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...54e726f4_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d0d3ea42_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...95b9e8b5_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...732d1098_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...7c617576_b.jpg The street murals were also interesting. I especially liked this one for its interesting message in the heart of the town anchored by the Civil Rights movement. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a8e2a442_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...bfb5edbc_b.jpg I later returned back to the hotel and went for an afternoon run in the shaded heat around the park. I eventually returned to the hotel for a shower and an American house wine (Copper Canyon Chardonnay) at the hotel bar where I was able to catch up on the trip report. For dinner, MrsWT73 was tied up with work events. As a result, I was on my own until the late hours of the evening. Part of the goal of coming to Atlanta was to have some southern food. A little search through Trip Advisor yielded the touristy Pittypat’s Porch restaurant for authentic southern food. I booked through Open Table and easily found the restaurant a short walk from the hotel. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...64d74485_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...411e0afe_b.jpg The place was packed with tourists and business traveler groups. I’d typically say this was a bad thing but it certainly meant that the food was going to be fresh. Indeed, Pittypat’s Porch served up a great meal with a diverse southern menu. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b3bb1193_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8b282a38_b.jpg I was able to enjoy a Scarlett Peach Lemonade with vodka, gin, tequila and rum, along with an included salad bar with Aunt Pittypat’s Fried Chicken served with homemade mashed taters and gravy. It was super tasty and worth stopping by. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...483702ea_b.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e8a41ddb_b.jpg I crawled back to the hotel after this meal. I’d easily visit here again if I was through town for some of the chicken. It was a terrific first day in Atlanta with great weather and great food. |
Good to see another TR from you again! :)
Atlanta looks a nice city to visit from what you've posted so far. |
Wow, looked like a verrrrrrryyyyyy long start to your trip.
Great photos of downtown Atlanta, thank you. |
Originally Posted by worldtraveller73
(Post 31540515)
United Airlines
It has been a long while since I’ve flown United Airlines. Since they’ve cut frequent flier earning on most paid economy fares to 50% miles, and most transborder fares can be more expensive than their domestic ones, I’ve switched in the last 3 – 4 years over to Alaska which consistently earn 100% EQM. Add a lack of available business class reward seat space, and I haven’t had much reason to fly with them. |
Originally Posted by worldtraveller73
(Post 31540515)
had a water departure out of Vancouver today.
|
Great new report, WorldTraveller73! Looks like some very average flights in United F. I haven't flown United in a while, but the last time I did I was amazed at how small those little tiny blue plastic cups are ... they barely can hold 5 ounces it seemed.
I did not know about American being that strict on access to lounges to prevent those traveling to Canada or the Caribbean. Delta also allows lounge access for Canadian flights, and the offerings in the lounge look a bit better than what United is offering. We stopped there while traveling to YYZ from MSP last year free of charge. I also agree the over promoting of the lounge membership gets a bit old to see too in US lounges. We love Atlanta, and enjoyed visiting the city this past June. Here's two photos I had taken there from our trip - looks like we were almost in the same spot at one point. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ed33e7d788.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fbb123471e.jpg |
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