Atlanta, Georgia
On a brilliant Saturday morning under a cerulean sky streaked with crimson contrails and accented by a platinum crescent moon, I loaded up fifteen of my friends into a couple of vans here in Anderson for a two-hour journey to Atlanta to visit the Terra Cotta Warriors exhibit at the High Museum of Art. The morning was given to viewing these amazing archeological treasures from a far western Chinese province. In the afternoon we had opportunity to view the Third Year of the special Louvre Exhibition from Paris.
Our two vans arrived in Atlanta exactly on time, with no missed turns, malfunctions or other challenges. Our special exhibition tickets were at the will-call window as they were supposed to be and parking proved convenient. My other driver, John, helped me provide door to door service for our guests. We joined the others for a journey back in time some 23 centuries to 221 BC in China during which The First Emperor spent several decades building a 23.5 square mile burial complex. Part of this complex was 8,000 terra cotta soldiers who were supposed to keep him alive in the afterlife. We still don’t know if this happened or not but he did leave a lot of grand pottery for the archeologists to find in 1974. We were able to enjoy a really well curated show of carefully restored ancient artwork of the highest order.
Our luncheon was served in a French fashion at Table 1280 on the museum campus. Attentive service and linen added a fine touch of class. The group dispersed after a leisurely lunch to enjoy the Louvre exhibition or the permanent collections containing a nice representation of Dutch and French masters. I never tire of Renoir or Monet or masterpieces carved in travertine marble.
French Influence – Chateau Elan
After viewing priceless French art all afternoon it seemed appropriate to have a splendid dinner in a grand context. We headed for Chateau Elan, an oasis of European sensibility located in rural Georgia. Chateau Elan includes a 5-star European hotel, a winery, seven restaurants, golf courses, a race track, and a motor car factory. Inside one of the winery’s fine restaurants we enjoyed a grand feast at a table set like one might find prepared for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. After two hours of fine dining, we returned to our reality, arriving back in Anderson about 10 PM all safe and sound. All were in church Sunday save one, and she had a good excuse.
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