This Girl From Athens...

In college I developed a love for the Pat McGee band. They have a song called "Girl From Athens" (or something like that) that always reminds me of Athens, Georgia. Home of the University of Georgia. Athens is a similar to every college town in America. I'm sure the students and residents here will tell you different. But isn't every college town quaint? Don't they all have something "familiar" about them? Aren't they all comforting? Young and thriving? I think so. Athens is no different than Blacksburg. I would say it has cooler, more modern shops, but the last time I was in Blacksburg was 2001. I'm sure its updated since then. This isn't to say I don't love Athens. I love it like I loved Blacksburg. The weather today helps. Sunny and mid 70s. It's a perfect day.

So what am I doing in Athens? 

Well, during the week, my little cousin, Jelly, mentioned she was coming down to Athens from Nashville, TN (where she currently lives) to do a show with a band. Jelly recently graduated in sound/audio engineering (I think thats right), so I'm not sure if she's running the sound for the band tonight or if she's actually singing/performing (her dream). I guess I'll find out. I came up to Athens to see her but I should note I haven't seen Jelly since she was 5. Seriously. Oh and did I mention the band she's going to be with tonight is performing at a fraternity party? Awesome.

I woke up this morning at 7:40, took a shower, "packed" and was out the door by 9am to head up to Athens. The drive is not bad. It's only an 1 1/2 hours and the majority of the trip is on a 2 lane road. I like that. Not as scary as the 7 lane highway (each side) in Atlanta. 

I got here by 10:30 and checked into my room at the Holiday Inn... I mean, if I was going to come up here, might as well make a day of it. From what I remembered the last time I was in Athens (possibly with my sister when she was touring colleges, but likely when Yones and I came up here for our friend's college graduation), the high streets have some really cool shops - so I figured I'd go shopping and walking around before Jelly got here. 

My hotel room is actually decent. I've never stayed in a Holiday Inn, but the name doesn't exactly inspire elegance. It's a hotel room. It has cable. It has Wi-Fi. Sold. I text my UGA graduate friends last night about where I should eat and where I should shop. Names and addresses in had, I made my way down East Broad Street. 

East Broad street is more or less the restaurant high street. I hope I'm using that term correctly. If not, I'm sure Pookie will comment about it. Anyway, East Broad is not only the street with all the restaurants but it's also the street that separates "downtown" from the University of Georgia. My coworker suggested I try one of two places (or both if I had time) - East West Bistro and/or Five Star Day Cafe. By the time I left the hotel, it was 11:30am. Since Five Star Day Cafe is brunch food and I was hungry for lunch food, I went down to East West Bistro. East West Bistro is Asian fusion cuisine. 

So I've kinda been searching for the best sweet tea EVER. I say "kinda" because it's not really like I'm looking for it - but when I taste it I'll know it. I think I tasted it at East West Bistro. Perfection - so far. I ordered the special - Duck with coconut rice and a cucumber/red pepper/pineapple/black seed salad. It was light, but filling. Definitely a must-try.

I then headed up to East Clayton which is the clothing/retail high street. My coworker - a definite shopper told me to visit Encore, Pitaya, Heery's and Fortsons. I never found Fortsons, which was okay since I probably overshopped everywhere else. 

I picked up a cool/vintagey/flowery dress from Pitaya. Pitaya's prices are like a forever 21 or a west seal, but the clothes are hit or miss. The dress I bought was the only thing I liked. I hit Heery's and didn't like it AT ALL. It's definitely sorority chic. Once upon a time, I probably would have been all over it, but it was all overpriced and pastel, Vera Bradley paisleys, too much pink and green. Just no. Not my style now. There were also a ton of older ladies in there - which wasn't too surprising considering the average price of everything I saw was $300. Seriously. Then I went to Helix which is a cool store. It reminds me of stores you'd find in Lincoln Park in Chicago. Stores that sell cards/stationary, lotions and perfumes, kids clothes, hand bags, jewelry, dishes...knick knacks. I bought an orange and grey leather messenger purse/bag and a cute dress for baby V when I see her late May. Then I went over to encore and bought some skinny jeans. I need them for all the boots I've purchased and they were on sale! Then I went to The Red Zone where they sell all UGA apparel and bought the shirt I promised my sister and one for me. The last store I went to was a vintage clothing store. I bought a t-shirt. It's the softest purple cotton. Yeah, I really fueled the economy today!