Next Stop: Agnes Scott: A Week For Spring Break

Darling Ladies, Future Scotties,

Our spring break ended with an amazingly warm day. When I went for dinner on campus, the road was decorated by fascinating bloom of the campus trees. It was such a pleasure to meet all the girls again, to learn about adventures as well as funny moments of their trips. Once again I felt the very special atmosphere of Agnes Scott College, the moment when you are enjoying a great time with your friends and at the same time you realize how many assignments you have left. I wanted you guys to know more about the way we - the international students - study and, as important, the way we enjoy our spring vacation.

Meerim Ruslanova, exchange student, Kyrgyzstan:

- I had a delightful time in Miami. I went there to visit my friend. We had so much fun and I finally got to swim and sunbath after three long months of winter! The city and the sun of Miami give you so much energy! I am so ready for the beginning of my classes now!

Jenna Landemaki, exchange student, Finland

- My spring break was spent in the mysterious country of Nicaragua. I think a human being can never get enough of sun, beach and ocean. All the stress I had was gone, this country is truly amazing and fascinating!

Fabienne Feldman, exchange student, Switzerland:

- I went to Savannah for St. Patrick’s Day! It was such an amazing time, again the beach, again the sun, smiling people around, the gripping atmosphere of unity and celebration. Undoubtedly, being in Georgia’s oldest city for the St. Patrick’s Day was unforgettable part of my spring break!

Those were only a few friends of mine, who traveled a long way to their dream vacation destinations. In the case that you are at Agnes Scott and you decide to stay on campus during the spring break, I will suggest a couple of places to visit in spring

Undoubtedly, if you are curious enough, the first thing you will do when you are in Atlanta is buy a City Pass and use it to visit five sights in the amazing city. Everything included in the City Pass is totally worth visiting. For the ones who are not yet aware of what City Pass means: it is a small brochure with tickets to five of Atlanta’s sights. City Pass allows you to visit 5 attractions in nine days. It costs about 74 dollars per person, and it is much cheaper than purchasing tickets for each of the places you want to visit. Here is the link to learn more about City Pass: http://www.citypass.com/atlanta

When you finally have the City Pass in your hands, you can visit the Georgia Aquarium (the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the largest aquarium in the world housing more than 100,000 sea creatures), World of Coca Cola (Coca Cola is originally from Atlanta!), Zoo Atlanta or Atlanta History Center, Fernbank Museum of Natural History or High Museum of Art, and CNN.All of these places deserve visited visit. Personally I went to the Atlanta History Center separately, with my host mother.

Well, most probably, you will visit all of afore-mentioned destinations before the spring break. What else is there to do on the spring break then? Here are some suggestions:

1. Martin Luther King Jr Center/Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site – series of buildings that will tell you everything about the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King (an American clergyman, activist, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement; he is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience.)

2. Stone Mountain Theme Park: more than 5 miles (8.0 km) in circumference at its base, and is surrounded by the Stone Mountain Park. The summit of the mountain can be reached by a walk-up trail on the west side of the mountain only, or by the Skyride aerial tram. Stone Mountain is a perfect place for hiking and canoeing. Please make sure, you visit the place on weekends.

3. Little Five Points shopping district is famous for the alternative culture it brings to Atlanta. It has been described as Atlanta's answer to Haight-Ashbury, a melting pot of sub-cultures, and the Bohemian center of the Southern United States. The district has lots of shops, where you can find the most unusual stuff. I have also found an organic food market there. Moreover, annual Halloween Parade takes place in the Little Five Points. Every time I go to Little Five Points I pop in to Baba's Turkish and Mediterranean Delight and have small Turkish pies that have the taste of home. Eventually, if you are visiting Little Five Points, make sure you eat Atlanta’s best burgers at Vortex Bar&Grill (to enter you must be over 18 years old and have your passport with you).

4. Atlanta Botanical Gardens - a very pleasant place to visit in the spring. I have visited the gardens in the beginning of February and I still loved them a lot!

5. Margaret Mitchell’s House and Museum. I had a pleasure of visiting this place on my spring break. The museum was established in the apartment building where Margaret Mitchell used to live. For the reference, Margaret Mitchell was an outstanding writer, the author of world famous novel Gone with the Wind. This novel reflects the life of Atlanta during the Civil War and the period of Reconstruction. Margaret Mitchell’s life is worth learning about.

6. Intersection of Highlands street and Jackson Street. Solely I, not any other online source, make this suggestion. If you are on the intersection, walk on Jackson St. towards the bridge. When you are on the bridge, you will see something truly breathtaking. It is one of the spots to see and enjoy Atlanta skyline. It looks especially beautiful at night, but please go there by car and do not be alone. Safety is the priority!

7. Piedmont Park. Of course, if you visit Atlanta Botanical Gardens you will have a chance to get to know Piedmont Park. Basically, the Botanical Gardens are situated at the entrance to Piedmont Park. It is not as big as Central Park, NY, however, it is the nicest place to be in spring. Actually, I visited the park for the first time during the Music Midtown – open-air concert held in Piedmont Park. It was an amazing music festival where I got to see T.I. and the Foo Fighters! The park’s football field opens an unforgettable view to night Atlanta skyline! It is a great place to take pictures.

8. Alliance Theater at the Woodruff Arts Center. When you are in Atlanta, please get some time to see a performance at the Alliance Theater! As a matter of fact, I went to this theater during my fall semester for a performance of What I Learned in Paris. There is no need to repeat how theaters develop you spiritually. When actors play, you feel how real they are. People can make thousand takes for on scene in the movie, but it is all totally different on the stage! It calls for an actor with a real talent to make the audience believe that his or her character is true and alive!
Those were things to do in Atlanta in the case you have decided to stay in Decatur for the spring break. I hope you find this information useful and enjoy your time in the magical city of Atlanta!
Eventually, I have made a video about our student and staff's plans for the spring break! Enjoy and see you again in the next blog, Ladies!