One of the top 10 "must-watch" places in Atlanta, Georgia was Underground. It is just a street where you have different kinds of shops and eateries. Apparently a popular hotspot. But I have just one thing to say: Don't go! The place is shady. You can feel it as soon as you enter the parking lot. When we went, it was almost empty and I felt like I was actually IN one of those horror movies where you are stranded on a deserted field and feel a pair of eyes watching you - that was my first thought but I didn't voice my opinion.
We took a few brave steps- all huddled up in a group- and walked up to the information center. We met a guy on the way who was trying to help us by being our guide. When we asked the lady at the center what Underground was about she was trying to do her job and told us it was one of the popular destinations. But her eyes gave it away. She had that "Oh-dear-what-are-they-doing-here-I hope-nothing-happens-to-them sort of expression. We followed her directions and entered a building that would take us to the main street which was termed "Underground". Here, we ran into the "guide" again. He opened the door for us and then said, "Don't you guys help others in your country?" He basically wanted some money. So one of us took out his wallet and was looking for some quarters, when the guide's eyes fell on a $5 bill. He actually pulled it out of the wallet and disappeared!
That was probably a good time to turn back and head back to the car, but we were curious about the "must-watch-location". So then we walked a bit further into the building and into an underground street. It felt like any street in India- crowded, colorful, carts selling clothes/ accessories. Except that it was only colored people that we saw everywhere. My 6 foot friend was bumped into by a tall colored guy for no reason- almost egging him on for a fight.
And that was when we decided we had seen enough. We quickly got on the escalator and exited the building. It was quite a close call.
We were quite unsettled and to calm down a bit, we started joking about how K probably had contracted HIV by shaking hands with the guide. He actually held his hand still all the way back to the Hotel room and then washed it with soap and water before touching anything/ anyone.
I can't understand how it is in the top 5 places to visit in Atlanta. I don't know who to complain to about this or how this place can be removed from that list of places to visit. Thought the blog could be a good start. A definite no-no to this place, unless you want to be mugged or even worse- killed.
We took a few brave steps- all huddled up in a group- and walked up to the information center. We met a guy on the way who was trying to help us by being our guide. When we asked the lady at the center what Underground was about she was trying to do her job and told us it was one of the popular destinations. But her eyes gave it away. She had that "Oh-dear-what-are-they-doing-here-I hope-nothing-happens-to-them sort of expression. We followed her directions and entered a building that would take us to the main street which was termed "Underground". Here, we ran into the "guide" again. He opened the door for us and then said, "Don't you guys help others in your country?" He basically wanted some money. So one of us took out his wallet and was looking for some quarters, when the guide's eyes fell on a $5 bill. He actually pulled it out of the wallet and disappeared!
That was probably a good time to turn back and head back to the car, but we were curious about the "must-watch-location". So then we walked a bit further into the building and into an underground street. It felt like any street in India- crowded, colorful, carts selling clothes/ accessories. Except that it was only colored people that we saw everywhere. My 6 foot friend was bumped into by a tall colored guy for no reason- almost egging him on for a fight.
And that was when we decided we had seen enough. We quickly got on the escalator and exited the building. It was quite a close call.
We were quite unsettled and to calm down a bit, we started joking about how K probably had contracted HIV by shaking hands with the guide. He actually held his hand still all the way back to the Hotel room and then washed it with soap and water before touching anything/ anyone.
I can't understand how it is in the top 5 places to visit in Atlanta. I don't know who to complain to about this or how this place can be removed from that list of places to visit. Thought the blog could be a good start. A definite no-no to this place, unless you want to be mugged or even worse- killed.
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