Entry #29: February 10, 2006

Conyers, Georgia (25 miles east of Atlanta)

Thursday was Mom and Son day. I took my deserving mother out to the brand-new Georgia Aquarium where we could giggle at the waddling penguins, gape open-mouthed at the monstrous whale-sharks, and point at the neon coral fish, wondering “Did they dye their scales? That doesn’t look like their natural color.”

Few people outside the great state of Georgia are aware that Atlanta is home to the world’s largest aquarium. Thanks to Bernie Marcus, co-founder of Home Depot, we own the largest glass bowl of fish in the world. Too bad they explicitly ban fishing poles on the signs outside. They could’ve boosted their attendance figures dramatically. Imagine “a catch your lunch” exhibit. Not only do you attract the rural population, you teach urban youngsters how to fish. It’s a win-win situation. Of course you have to be careful with what types of fish you want in the tank. It wouldn’t be quite right to have a 6-string guitar nosed shark in that one.

However, I do sincerely believe that an exhibit on freshwater Georgia wildlife would have been fitting and I was deeply disappointed not to be able to see a Georgia catfish, nutcracker bream, or any type of freshwater bass in the vicinity. Also, for it being the largest aquarium in the world, I felt that the design of the place really underutilized the potential of the roughly 100,000 animals in 8 million gallons of water. The whale sharks and beluga whales were magnificent, beautiful creatures, but I was unable to witness them from above and see how they look above water. However, though small, the penguin exhibit was my favorite. Something about penguins just makes me laugh. There’s a small tunnel with a glass bubble that pops out into the penguin terrarium. If I was a penguin, I’d poop my tuxedo if I saw some human emerge from the ground and seemingly invade my home, especially some of those obese business folks in those suits. I’d be terrified of becoming a penguin kabob.

It was a great visit though. Not too crowded and I had some good company. Moms are great and you’d be hard pressed to find a better mother than mine. And so the Soldier’s life continues…