One Day Till Departure: What I’ll Miss About Atlanta

One of my former co-workers in Buffalo is very fond of the following expression when someone leaves for an extended period of time: “This isn’t goodbye; it’s more like, ‘See ya later’!”

(I actually think she stole this from an episode of Fresh Prince of Bel Air – go to 3:35 in the clip – but that’s besides the point …)

Anyway, it’s with that sentiment that I thought about what I am going to miss while in Vancouver for the Olympics. It’s not “Goodbye” to Atlanta for sure; it’s only a three-week “See ya later”, which means the things I’m going to miss are more impulse-based than anything else. If I was leaving for good, I’d talk about the people and the greenery and the wide variety of neighborhoods in Atlanta. But I’ll see all these things — and people — again pretty shortly.

In the meantime, here are the Top 5 Things I’ll Miss About Atlanta during these three “See ya later” weeks (assuming I have time to miss anything, what with how busy we’re going to be out there …):

5. The Hawks — Full disclosure here: I am an NBA nut and a Hawks season ticket holder. While I’m gone, one of the hottest teams in the NBA will take on the Heat, the Mavericks, and three other opponents at the Highlight Factory. The only upside? The March/April schedule is even better, with the Lakers, Spurs, and Cavs all coming to Atlanta.

And, of course, at least I’m not missing the playoffs …

4. Waffle House — Perhaps this is a strange choice to see for Atlanta lifers (or those who live in the suburbs), but I have been hooked on The House ever since I moved here ten months ago. It’s a great, tasty stop when you’re on the go, and I’ll miss it, even while enjoying the sure-to-be tremendous cuisine in Vancouver.

3. 11Alive — Yes, score one for the home team here. Let’s just say this … without giving too much away, we have some great stories lined up for February and during the Olympics.

(OK, enough shilling … moving on …)

2. The DeKalb Farmers Market — It’s one of the area’s hidden gems (if you can call a place constantly swamped with customers a hidden gem). Talk about Olympic-like: I have never seen so many foods from so many different cities and nations under one roof. I’ll miss this place immensely.

And the #1 thing I’ll miss about Atlanta while I’m gone:

1. The people! — OK, I know I said I’d only mention the people in more of a “good-bye” setting, but I must include them here. Take it from someone who’s spent most of his life in the North — Southern hospitality is beautiful and very real, and I have appreciated the warm welcome I have received throughout my first year here in Atlanta. I’ll miss it for the coming three weeks … but I’ll be back.

This will be my last entry before departing … see you in Vancouver!