When going to a town that you do not know well, there must be a grimace on the face of the visitors. Atlantans noticed that grimace and was right there to help.
The first person who was helpful was the painter at the house where we turned around. A friend took us to the first bus stop to get us going. To get there, she had to turn around in someone’s yard and decided that while the car was already stopped that we should just tumble out and go toward the bus stop at the corner. So we did.
Our bumping and lumping out of the car caused the painter at that residence to look and right off, he began talking and sharing and asking if we needed help. At that time, we didn’t so off we wenttoward the bus stop, with a wave to our friend and to the new-found friend, the painter.
The next helpful person was the bus driver. He could tell that we had never ridden the bus as we didn’t know where to put the money, although we did have enough sense to have change. He helped us get on and get the money in the slots. He did begin driving before we were both finished dropping it in but he was slow and careful as we clinked change in the machine and held on for dear life.
On the bus, a man, having obviously seen the whole money-clanking event asked where we were off to and gave his opinion as to the best routes to make.
When we reached the first station, we had to transfer from bus to rail and of course, had to buy a ticket. There, a rail manager helped us use the machine by actually putting our money in and drawing out our ticket. On the entrance to the gate where the card had to be swiped, the man who had stood behind the manager during our purchases helped us understand how to swipe and where to enter.
That then put us inside the gate of the Marta system where an officer pointed the way.
After a short ride, our conversation prompted a rider to give advice and the next thing we knew, we were standing in front of our destination.
Atlanta’s a friendly place I’ll say.