CoffeeBeer >> Double Shot Buzz >> Dancing Goats
I have to admit that in all my travels I’d never considered visiting the city of Atlanta. I mean, not only is it in Georgia, which has always been low down on my list of US states to see. But I’ve simply had no reason to ever go there--that is, until a second cousin invited me to come for a visit. And these days I’m game for anything.
My association with Atlanta as a traveller has mostly been boasting the busiest airport in the world. Because over one hundred million passengers per year fly in and out of Hartsfield-Atlanta International Airport, I decided flying into Atlanta for a few days without making an immediate connection was the best way to check out just how busy it is.
And it was a great chance to see the city of Atlanta as well. Situated at just over 1,000 feet in altitude, in the foothills of the Appalachians, it has a population of over half a million. Known for its part as a vital rail centre for the Confederates during the American Civil War, it quickly bounced back from its capture by Union forces in September 1864 and became an industrial center, gaining the unofficial title of the Capital of the New South. Atlanta is probably more remembered these days as a major oragnising center for the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, with the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site housing not only Reverend King’s burial site, but also the church where he was taught and later practiced.
I spent four nights in Atlanta at the home of my second cousin Mark, who showed me all around the city. As we’d never met before, this was also a good opportunity for us to get to know each other and learn more about our respective families. Mark also possesses a wealth of information about Atlanta, so he made an excellent tour guide.
On my final day before heading to the airport for my flight onward to Chicago, the two of us stopped into Dancing Goats. My midday macchiato was decent but a bit on the bitter side. My croissant was massive and very buttery, especially as it was heated, which I always appreciate. The two of us sat outside on the half-covered patio on a couple of the sloppy white chairs, each one big enough for two people if one were so inclined, and the backs were tilted so far back I felt like they were probably better for napping rather than sipping, nibbling, or working. This is definitely a student cafe, and I really like the logo, not to mention the name, as I’ve seen dancing goats before, especially the baby goats I saw in Golders Green years ago who were cavorting in and around the tree trunks.
I’m also reminded of the legend of the original discovery of coffee. The story goes that around the 9th century in Ethopia, a goat herder noticed his goats were dancing around energetically after eating some red berries from a nearby bush which turned out, naturally, to be a coffee bush. The goat herder sampled some of the berries himself and, enjoying the rush, decided to share them with some local monks, who tossed them into a fire, thinking they were evil. But then of course that heavenly smell of freshly roasted coffee beans quickly brought them around to the idea. And here we have it: humanity’s widespread addiction to a damn fine cup of coffee, as Agent Dale Cooper of Twin Peaks would put it.
Speaking of goats reminds me of a recent WhatsApp conversation with my Bay Area friend about travelling with another type of animal:
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