To Mississippi...??? Hell, I'll take an all expense paid trip anywhere! The Deep South was plenty interesting. Rental cars left with the keys in the ignition, no radio reception, no-one can give directions, the International Airport closed down at 6pm cus sugar dem's just when we close!What they aren't lacking is the infamous Southern Hospitality. Even while giving terrible directions-they were able to charm this coolly polite Easterner.
I only had a few hours to explore the Magnolia State and I was determined to make the most of it. I cruised around and took in the spectacular site of never-ending trees and grass. 1 old street, had an oak-lined covered "bridge."I kept stopping at various gas stations and stores just to hear a heavily accented voice inquire if ma'am needed some help.mmhhmm. Even learning that my flight was delayed didn't deter me from enjoying the friendliness and openness of the South. After exploring the International Airport's 1 store, I took up residence in the 1 and only cantina. It was then that I was slightly annoyed for 1st time, after the kind bartender informed me that, "no ma'am we don't got them Coors Light here." My annoyance quickly dissolved though after 2 good ol' cowboys befriended me and started asking questions about "dem big citays and all them's peoples." Before long, our friendly banter had grown to include 2 other stranded travelers. All too soon, it was 6 o'clock and it was last call. I had thoroughly been charmed by Mississippi and her people.
After departing Jackson, I became stranded in Atlanta. Ironically, the guy across the aisle from me had interviewed for the same job. I had a travel buddy-yay! We stood in line and waited for Delta to announce our fate for the evening. Fate had me going 1 way and my travel buddy another. I got slightly nervous on the bus drive to the hotel; the area started to get shadier and shadier, but nothing prepared me or my bus companions for the greeting we got at the local Comfort Inn. We stepped off the bus and a large and in-charge man, complete with a MJ tribute shirt and drink in had welcomed us to the hotel. He proceeded to bash Delta and give out coupons for the club right around the corner proclaiming the best thing about it, was the drinks! My luck had finally changed and I was the 1st in line to check-in. I got my key and approached the welcoming committee and asked to be pointed in the direction of the discounted club. Not surprising, he escorted me around the corner and informed me that he was a Harlem boy originally. We came around the corner and unbelievably loud ol' skool rap was blaring and a huge bouncer was at the door. I thanked my escort and braced myself for what lay ahead. Ha! There was a karaoke section set up and 3 middle-aged white women sitting at the bar waiting for their order. It was like being on the set of some tacky B-list movie. I swallowed down a laugh and ordered my usual Coors Light, but once again was informed that, "ma'am we don't got that Coors Light." What's with the South hating on the Rockies? Once again, I soon had a companion to share my Miller Light with. I swapped stories with the nice boy from Kansas who was going on a month long back-packing tour through Europe and waited for my take-out.
What should have been a 1 day trip ended up being a day and a half adventure. After touching down in NY, I was exhausted and dreading going straight to work, but I noticed that I was more calm and relaxed than I had been a day and a half before. It was refreshing to be around genuine friendly people who weren't constantly checking the time and rushing from place to place.
No comments:
Post a Comment