This is cool. Please read to the end.
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Today I finally got to visit the Georgia Aquarium. I expected just to see and enjoy the exhibits.
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I received so much more.
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While admiring the the reef wall, I spoke with Gary, an aquarium employee. Chit-chat about saltwater aquariums, why I was there, and how Oldest would love all of this. He told me to wait and he’d be back in 5 minutes.
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OK. I had no idea what was going on.
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He came back. We got in an elevator. We went to the third floor - staff only. I followed him. Many pass cards used. The final door?
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We arrived ABOVE the Ocean Voyager tank. And it was time to feed the whale sharks.
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I got to watch the whale shark feeding, and while you can see a snippet in the video, it doesn't do justice to the experience. It was so damn cool. To watch how they feed, how the manta rays behave, how the aquarium operates, the majesty of these animals. Everything was awesome, in the true sense of the word.
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After that, Gary showed me more behind the scenes, about how the pumps, filtration, and such all work. I nerded out. He told me many facts about the aquarium, history, you name it.
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And all because I simply spoke to him; expressed interest; was genuine, friendly, and kind.
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Really, that's all it took: being genuine and kind. I didn't expect this, I didn't request this. But I'm blessed and grateful to have received such an experience.
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I hope for more of that in this world. The current zeitgeist celebrates being negative, but being positive, kind, and loving reaps so much more.
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#georgiaaquarium #aquarium #atlanta #whaleshark #whalesharkfeeding #behindthescenes #kindness #love #genuinepeople #positivity
I cannot come to Atlanta (Decatur) and not eat at Brick Store Pub.
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Trout again, because it’s so good. Interesting tho each time I’ve had it it’s had a slightly different preparation. I like the changes.
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With supper: Delirium Noël. Belgian. Dark strong. Melle. 10%. Pale brown color, notes of baking spice and pie crust complement the sweet caramel malt character, slightly bitter.
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For dessert, Mikkeller Ris a la M’ale. Spiced beer, Denmark. 8%. Christmas beer based on a traditional Danish dessert, brewed with cherry, rice, lactose, vanilla, and almond. Wicked good.
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#brickstorepub #atlanta #decatur #beer #trout #foodporn #delirium #mikkeller #christmasbeer
Finally got to visit the Georgia Aquarium. 10/10, would visit in awe again.
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The experience was wonderful. I was in no hurry, and just soaked it in. Spent maybe 30 minutes in front of the Ocean Voyager “wall”, watching the whale sharks, manta rays, and schools of fish. It was so relaxing I almost nodded off twice! 😴
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I also had an extra adventure. I’ll share that in another post.
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If you haven’t been, you must.
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#georgiaaquarium #aquarium #atlanta #whaleshark #touristforaday
Great soundtrack! When I grew up outside of Seattle, in the late 80’s and early 90’s, we called it, “metal.” Nobody called it grunge until later. I think this was a phylogenetic rationale due to it being next to, “The Scorpions,” in the record rack at the music shop.
In fact, I don’t remember anyone calling Soundgarden, “not metal,” until, “Badmotorfinger,” came out.
I don’t think they consider themselves “metal”. Certainly they’re not Metallica nor Poison….
But they descend from Black Sabbath. so metal enough. 🙂