The Atlanta Skyline from Jackson Street Bridge in Georgia. Photo by Melinda Centi

Regarding my new position at work, I was scheduled for training in Atlanta, Ga. last week and did some research on fun things to do. I knew I was limited on time so I mapped out a few highlights and discussed a game plan with my co-workers once we checked into our hotel. The weather forecast was mid-50s and clear skies. When we arrived in Atlanta, the temperature was a brisk 36 degrees and dropped even more once the sun went down — not the ideal southern weather we’d been hoping for.

I met five other women attending the training that were also eager to explore. We went in on an Uber and had our first stop at Centennial Olympic Park, home of the 1996 Olympic Games. Unfortunately, we discovered the park was closed shortly after our Uber disappeared. We wandered around the perimeter where we were surrounded by the College Football Hall of Fame, World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium and CNN Center. As we froze doing our disappointing night tour, we were able to lean over the fence to get a view of the Fountain of Rings. It is the world’s largest interactive fountain which incorporates the Olympic Rings symbol, which was also not running at the time. We were informed by a guard that the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Marathon was taking place in a few days so the park was closed in preparation for the event.

After exploring for as long as our poor frozen bodies could endure, I suggested we get an Uber to the Jackson Street Bridge for one last stop on our “tour.” I had read about this location being a perfect spot for a view of the Atlanta skyline. Our driver stopped along the bridge long enough for us to jump out and enjoy the view for a moment, snap a quick picture and hop back into the warm vehicle. We knew the next day would be long and tiring so we headed back to the hotel for the night.

The next morning we decided to order Uber eats instead of waiting in line for breakfast at the hotel. We had never tried it before and it seemed pretty convenient to submit a food order from any restaurant of our choice and the driver delivers it right to our door. It would’ve been convenient if the driver hadn’t left out my entire breakfast order when he dropped it all off. When my friend messaged him to return with the food, he responded later to say he had been pulled over by the police for speeding. I was beginning to realize trying new things was not working in my favor this trip. The conference began and we sat through a full day of training and activities only to rush to the airport to catch our flight home that evening.

I was expecting some friendly southern hospitality at the airport, but it turns out all TSA agents are trained to be impatient and aggressive no matter where you go. I was rushed through security and chosen for a random search. Once the chaos of that was over, our group took the escalators and shuttle to our terminal. We had a quick bite to eat and had just enough time to sit for a moment before our flight was about to take off. As the attendant announced they would begin boarding soon, I wanted to check in on my work tablet and make sure it was still charged. But my tablet was nowhere to be found. In the panic of the security check, the TSA agent moved my tablet from my things and I didn’t realize it wasn’t in the bin when I gathered my belongings. I ran up to the attendant at the counter to explain my situation and the response I received was, “I don’t have the number to security. You gonna have to run girl, and you ain’t gonna make it.”

I was already in panic mode and demanded he tell me where to go to try and resolve this situation. He told me to try information which was 10 gates down the terminal. My friends held onto my suitcase and I ran for dear life to information. Once I arrived, I received the same response, “I don’t have the number to security.”

Since I realized time and airport assistance was not on my side, I ran faster than I’ve ever ran before down the terminal, down the escalators, onto the shuttle for two stops, up the elevator to the second floor and back of security. I explained my situation in a panic to the agent and he calmly pulled out my tablet waving it in my face to tell me I had to prove it was mine. I was not in the mood to take my precious time so I punched in my security code and when it opened, I pulled it from his hands and told him I had to go or he was buying me a ticket for the next flight.

I took the elevator down two floors, got back on the shuttle for two stops, ran up the escalator that felt like it was a never ending stairway to heaven, and darted down the hall past 15 gates to reach my coworkers in line about to board. As sweat ran down my face, we all cheered and laughed as I held my tablet above my head in celebration.

So what did I take away from my brief and somewhat disappointing trip from Georgia? Always double check your belongings after you go through airport security, don’t believe the weather forecast no matter where you go, and learn to roll with the punches. Things aren’t always going to go as planned, but every situation is what you make of it.

I still had fun wandering the city the night before and making new friends along the way. If I didn’t step outside of my comfort zone, I could’ve just gone to bed early in my hotel room and never had a memorable evening with some pretty great people.

“Blessed are the flexible for they will not be bent out of shape.” -Michael McGriffy