What are things you are suprised to see in Atlanta?(architecture,culture ,etc) (Riverdale: home)

[afonega1]

I was in Westview Cemetary a year ago with a friend from South Africa last year because the huge Gothic looking Mausoleum always caught my eye from the street on MLK Jr. on Southwest Atlanta.So We went for a tour.It was an amazing and beautiful place with a lot of history.Many famous Atlantans are buried there dating back before the Civil War.I took these pics.

The building looks like it could have easily look authenic in Europe.It got me wandering after looking at such structures what other architectural things that you would not expect to see in Atlanta.Also any cultural things and places that is out of the "traditional" southern mold.

[rackensack]

The BAPS Shree Swaminaryan Mandir (http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertlz/1439073967/in/set-72157602161264705/ - broken link) in Lilburn certainly qualifies as something most people wouldn't expect to find in the Atlanta area.



There's also modernist architect I.M. Pei's first major building, at 131 Ponce de Leon (originally the Gulf Oil Building).

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by rackensack

The BAPS Shree Swaminaryan Mandir (http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertlz/1439073967/in/set-72157602161264705/ - broken link) in Lilburn certainly qualifies as something most people wouldn't expect to find in the Atlanta area.



There's also modernist architect I.M. Pei's first major building, at 131 Ponce de Leon (originally the Gulf Oil Building).

Yeh I had never seen that!!Wow its nice.They have one similar in Riverdale of all places too.

[MikeandIke27]

I was surprised at how openly gay the city was... And how its so tolerated here.... And the Koreans there is huge population of them in Atlanta.. If you didn't live here you probably wouldn't know..

[mjtinmemphis]

i was suprised to see such a huge black middle class on my first visit back in the late 80. I also thought that it was cool to see so many African Americans working on major construction projects when the unions from up north didnt and many still dont offer that opportunity. I was so impressed that I thought Atlanta was going to be home one day.

Many are shocked to see such a huge gay presence, by this being the capitol of the southeast its no suprise. Many come from all over the southeast to live in this mecca because they feel comfortable. But now many gays live open lives all over the south and never fear for their lives inspite of what some think but Atlanta has the nightlife for gays that very few cities offer.