Friday 5:15pm, Gate C42 – off to Atlanta, site of my 5^th marathon.

Started Saturday with a huge buffet breakfast at the Omni – multiple plates of fresh fruit & oatmeal.  FANNNNNTASTIC!

Next stop, CNN Center.  Since the Omni is physically attached to CNN, felt obliged.  Took a studio tour – not that different from my time at FOX.  I’d rate it A-ok – an hour is certainly long enough.

A few blocks away off Marietta, visited the World of Coca-Cola.  Highly recommended.

Coke was invented by druggist John Pemberton in Georgia.  Who knew?  And while Coca-Cola would become America’s national drink, Pemberton unfortunately died poor, sick & morphine addicted.

With public concern about drug addiction, depression and alcoholism among [Civil] war veterans…as well as among “highly-strung” Southern women, Pemberton’s medicine was advertised as particularly beneficial for “ladies, and all those whose sedentary employment causes nervous prostration”.

 

Pemberton made many health claims for his product, touting it as a “valuable brain tonic” that would cure headaches, relieve exhaustion and calm nerves, and marketed it as “delicious, refreshing, pure joy, exhilarating,” and “invigorating.”

Enjoyed the history, brand-generated pop art & of course, the Tasting Room.  Cola products from all over the world were up for the tasting.  Madagascar’s cola includes mango juice; Latin American colas are sugar cane sweetened (almost sickeningly sweet); while China’s apple cola – actually not so bad.

Ended my day at the Georgia Aquarium before savoring a plate of pricey grouper at McCormick & Schmicks.  [Key Observation: Lotta seafood restaurants near Aquariums.  Coincidence? 🙂 ]

Early to bed, early to rise.  Tomorrow is marathon day.