Atlanta: Southern Hospitality and the Arrival of Rodge

New Orleans Saints v Atlanta Falcons Tailgating

One of the main reasons for us heading to Atlanta was that we had heard Georgia was a state that internationals can quite easily purchase a vehicle in. Problem was that unfortunately each state changes their laws as often as I change my jocks (about once or twice a week for those wondering), that by the time we arrived, Georgia was no longer an easy place to get a car. Still we persisted, and we may be slightly breaking a few laws here or there, but we are currently the proud owners of Rodge the Dodge – a 2008 Calibre complete with dicky A/C, blinkers and windscreen wiper controls on the wrong sides, but room for the small family that we have become.

We are currently trying to figure out a state that will actually allow us to register him in with our Australian licences, and then find someone in said sate that will allow us to use their address. We believe we may have found a suitable candidate in Texas, but only time will tell. So for now Rodge is happily cruising us around slightly under the radar, happily taking in the sights, sounds and tastes of the great South!

So given we were going to be in Atlanta for a few days sorting out the car, we thought it would also be prudent to check out a game of FOOTBALL whilst we were twiddling our thumbs! We ended up scoring tickets to the Falcons opener against the New Orleans Saints, and what a game it turned out to be.

We headed out to the stadium a few hours before kick-off, probably should have headed out even earlier, because with FOOTBALL comes Tailgating, and with Tailgating comes the full experience of the South. Every car park in close proximity to the stadium was taken over by the masses to BBQ meats, mix up punch, enjoy a few froths and get ready for the season. We walked around and tried to make some new friends and were kindly taken in by the Collins family.

The Collins Crew 

We hadn’t been able to purchase any drinks to bring in with us due to Georgia state law (no alcohol sold before 12pm on Sundays), and tried to see if we could buy a few cans off the Collins crew but none of them would have a bar of it. Ralph, Will, and their extended family took us under their wings and made the day one hell of an experience. We were treated to everything they had and more – smokey BBQ ribs and hot wings, fresh fish, beers, shots, southern style peanuts, more beers and more shots. The Collins’ made our first proper foray into FOOTBALL the complete experience. And this was all before kick-off.

The game itself was a ball tearer. Over 1000 total yards, 71 points, a comeback, a couple of franchise records, a 51 yarder to send it to overtime and a 52 yarder to send the Saints packing. The Falcons had turned it on for us, and we were happy just to sit back and take it all in.

Celebrating the 52 yarder 

We caught back up with the Collins’ after the game and shared a few more celebratory froths and chatted some more as they packed up and headed home. So much so were we taken in as new friends they invited us to watch next week’s away game at one of the son’s place – you don’t get more friendly than that! Unfortunately we would be on the road again by that time, but hopefully we can catch them again someday soon and try and repay some of their hospitality.

Saints @ Falcons

We also chucked in a sneaky Kings of Leon gig to round out our Atlanta stay. Supported by Young the Giant, the Kings put on one of their best shows I have seen to date. Caleb seemed a whole lot more relaxed and chatty in his native South, and even though they played mainly from their new catalogue we still got the age old classics of The Bucket, Knocked Up and Molly’s Chamber, and all for the price an album would cost us back home. For me the setlist was sweet, and even though I would have liked more of the old stuff, it did get me into their new albums a whole heap more.

Kings Of Leon @ Aaron’s Amphitheatre, Lakewood 

We also got a taste of the Atlanta history on our final day, with a quick visit to the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial. It amazes me that 100 years after slavery was abolished in the south, it took the lifelong efforts of some remarkable people to achieve something a lot of people take for granted – equality.

So for a place we had initially thought of as just a stop to buy a car from, Atlanta really made quite the impression on me. Couldn’t have asked for anything more!

I Have a Dream...