When we reached the parking lot, several cars were parked there. Although it was past midnight and the stores surrounding the parking lot were closed, the parking lot was buzzing. The sounds of reggae, soca, and hip hop were blasting out of cars as people waited for the shuttle to arrive. Not to be out done, Nevis turned up on the volume on his car stereo and blasted the latest soca and dancehall. We sat in the car with the doors open, allowing the music to pour out of the car into the parking lot. Slowly people left their cars and started to look around for the shuttle to the party. Although the flyer advertised that there would be shuttles to the party, there were no signs in the parking lot indicating when and where the shuttle would arrive. Getting restless, we left the car and walked towards the left side of the parking lot where a crowd had gathered around a dark-skinned black man. The man seemed to be affiliated with the party. He was who was dressed in all black and holding a walkie-talkie. The man informed everyone that the shuttle would be arriving soon. A few minutes after he announced this, a white shuttle bus arrived. We all piled on to it and headed towards the mysterious “mansion”.
Being in Atlanta only three nights at this point, I had absolutely no idea where I was and where the shuttle was taking us. The shuttle sped out of the parking lot and turned onto a dark side road that was adjacent to the parking lot. As we drove, I tried to look for any markers—street signs, houses, cars, etc---that would give me an idea of where we were going. But, I saw nothing. One thing that I noticed during my nighttime escapades in Atlanta was that the streets were very badly lit. It was dark. All I could see were trees, a few large houses peaking from behind trees, and more trees. My imagination began to run wild. This sounded like the beginning of a scary movie: 4 attractive, party-seeking 20-somethings get on a bus with strangers, head towards a party in an undisclosed location in the woods, and then end up chased and chopped up by a knife-wielding, masked killer. It is crazy what we will do for the promises of a good party. Fortunately, nothing horrible befell us.
After 10 minutes of driving in the dark, we arrived at the foot of a large white mansion on top of a hill. It looked like a scene out of a hip hop video or MTV Cribs. The mansion had white pillars and large windows that allowed you to see its interior. Light shone brightly through the large windows, illuminating the large white mansion against the dark night sky. Leading up to the mansion, there was a circular drive way. The shuttle let us out at the foot of the hill. We walked up the steep hill towards a trailer that was parked to the left of the mansion. Posted near the trailer, there were several big black security guards directing people to the trailer to pay for entry to the party. I forgot to mention at the beginning of this story that the cover for this party was $30--a pretty high price. For the past 8 years that I lived in New York, which is notorious for high-priced club covers, I tried hard to avoid parties with covers over $20. I think $20 is too much to pay for party, but I have an easier time handing over a $20 bill than two $20 bills or a $20 bill and a $10 (yikes!). Nonetheless, we all paid the woman sitting inside the trailer $30 each and made our way towards the house.
We walked through the mansion’s large glass double doors into a large foyer. Directly across from entrance, in the middle of the foyer, there was a large white fountain. I have to admit I was pretty amazed to see a fountain in a house. I knew that the flyer advertised that the party would be at a “millionaire dollar mansion”, but I didn’t expect for it to be in a real mansion on a hill. I expected a large club or maybe a house (bashment parties), but not a real mansion. I lived in New York where clubs have all types of interesting names, such as Bed, Home, Guesthouse, The Apartment, Pink Elephant, Duvet, and the list can go on and on, that indicate maybe the décor of the club but not the club is going to be a home, bed, guesthouse, pink elephant, or duvet. So, when I saw the word “mansion” on the flyer, I thought that the club space was being called “Mansion” or was going to be decorated like a mansion. But, I guess things are done differently in Atlanta, where you have more space and more mansions.
The mansion had an open floor plan that was very great for a large house party. The foyer flowed into the living area that was at the front of the house and the kitchen and dining area that was at the back of the house. Leading upstairs, there was a large white circular staircase. On the upstairs landing, the DJ and his equipment were set up. The space was completely cleared of furniture. I am not sure if the furniture was moved out for the party or if the house was regularly empty and was just being rented for the party. I am leaning towards the theory that the house was being rented because I couldn’t imagine someone going through the trouble to move their furniture for a party. Nonetheless, the space seemed large and ready for a packed party.
We walked past the kitchen and out a back door to the backyard, where we assumed that the wet zone of the party was located. Outside, there was a small shallow pool and few people standing around it chatting. Not dancing, but chatting!! We walked around the pool to see if there was another area, but there was nothing but grass and large rocks that a few people were using as seats. As we slowly looked around, we noticed that no one, except for us, was wearing swimsuits. What’s more, we didn’t see a wet zone. There were no signs or anything indicating that there was ever supposed to be a wet zone at the party. WTF?!? A shady shuttle ride through the woods of Georgia, a $30 dollar cover, and no water at a wet party? As you can guess, we were all pissed off that we came all that way for a wet party and it turned out to be a dry party. There were plenty of places that we could have gone to that night that would have been closer, cheaper, and more jumping from entry. But, since we paid our money, and had to depend on the shuttle to bring us back to our car, we decided to make the best of our situation. Despite being a dry wet party, it was still a Caribbean party, so there was of course food being served. Good food can usually improve any bad situation (Well in my case they do!). Nevis and Austin went back to the house to get us some food, while Paris and I sat on two large rocks a few feet away from the pool.
Minutes later, the guys came back with two plates of curried shrimp and rice with plantains. The food was as yummy as it sounded. But, at $10 per plate, we ended up sharing food. You should notice by now, if you have been keeping track of the money that I spent thus far at this party, that I was out of $40 at a dry “wet” party where no one was dancing. Not a good sign! It was 1am at this point and I was not sure if the party would ever get going.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
The Driest Wet Fete Pt 1
On my third night in Atlanta, hours after having experienced my first taste of Caribbean food in Atlanta, Nevis, Paris, Nevis’s friend Austin (who was visiting from New York) and I made our way to a wet party at a secret location (literally!). The only bits of information we had about the location of the party was that it was at a mansion and that we had to park in the parking lot of a Publix in the Tucker and then take a free shuttle (provided by the party promoters) to the “mansion.” But, I will talk more about the adventure to and from the party later. First, I want to make sure that we are all on the same page.
To all those who don’t know what a wet party is, it is exactly the way it sounds—a party where you get wet (lol). Wet parties vary based on venues and organizers. They can be either inside or outside. Before this party, I had never been to a party (and technically I still haven’t been to one, but I will get to that soon), but I had heard stories about wet parties. A few years ago, a friend invited me to one at a big Caribbean club in Brooklyn. I was not able to attend because I was going out of tow. But, my friend went and he seemed to have had a blast. He told me that people were instructed to place their valuables, such as watches, cell phones, money, and IDs, in plastic bags and to check them at coat check, next they were wet by water hoses prior to entering the club, and then they were allowed to enter the dance floor where the sprinklers rained down on them for most of the party. I have also heard of outdoor wet parties where there are pools—real ones and plastic kiddie pools—and people just dance in and around the pool. Regardless the type of wet party it is the one thing you will always see at a wet is people wearing bathing suits.
Since I didn’t get a chance to experience the wet party in Brooklyn, I was pretty excited about attending my first one. However, in all my excitement, I, of course, couldn’t figure out what to wear. I know I said earlier that swimwear is a must at wet parties. And, at first, I thought about wearing a bikini under some jeans and a tank, but since there were also supposed to be dry rooms at the party, I thought it would be a good idea to dress cute but water-friendly. I put on a cute loose black top, with plunging neckline, and black tights—things that would still look cute when wet--and I was ready for a wet and wild night.
Around 11pm, Nevis picked me up from my place and we drove to Paris’ apartment to do some pregaming. A few minutes later, we were at Paris’ apartment in North Decatur. As soon as we walked in, I noticed that Paris was wearing a bikini top under her tank top and that she had pulled her hair into a tight bun at the back of her head. She looked way more ready for a wet party than I did. I started to think about how I could modify my look to make it more wet party ready. It immediately dawned on me that it would probably be a good idea to pull my hair back, so that I wouldn’t have wet hair all over my face. I borrowed a black hair tie from Paris and then turned my attentions to the pre-party activities. A half hour later, we were full of “spirit” and ready to get wet and wild. As we were getting ready to leave, Nevis noticed that I was not wearing a bathing suit and informed that the flyer stated that swimwear was required for the wet rooms. I told him that if we stopped by my place I could quickly put on my bathing suit. In no time flat, I had my green bikini on under my black top and tights and we were on our way to the wet party. Well, actually we were on our way to the Publix parking lot in Tucker to catch the shuttle that would take us to my first wet party.
To all those who don’t know what a wet party is, it is exactly the way it sounds—a party where you get wet (lol). Wet parties vary based on venues and organizers. They can be either inside or outside. Before this party, I had never been to a party (and technically I still haven’t been to one, but I will get to that soon), but I had heard stories about wet parties. A few years ago, a friend invited me to one at a big Caribbean club in Brooklyn. I was not able to attend because I was going out of tow. But, my friend went and he seemed to have had a blast. He told me that people were instructed to place their valuables, such as watches, cell phones, money, and IDs, in plastic bags and to check them at coat check, next they were wet by water hoses prior to entering the club, and then they were allowed to enter the dance floor where the sprinklers rained down on them for most of the party. I have also heard of outdoor wet parties where there are pools—real ones and plastic kiddie pools—and people just dance in and around the pool. Regardless the type of wet party it is the one thing you will always see at a wet is people wearing bathing suits.
Since I didn’t get a chance to experience the wet party in Brooklyn, I was pretty excited about attending my first one. However, in all my excitement, I, of course, couldn’t figure out what to wear. I know I said earlier that swimwear is a must at wet parties. And, at first, I thought about wearing a bikini under some jeans and a tank, but since there were also supposed to be dry rooms at the party, I thought it would be a good idea to dress cute but water-friendly. I put on a cute loose black top, with plunging neckline, and black tights—things that would still look cute when wet--and I was ready for a wet and wild night.
Around 11pm, Nevis picked me up from my place and we drove to Paris’ apartment to do some pregaming. A few minutes later, we were at Paris’ apartment in North Decatur. As soon as we walked in, I noticed that Paris was wearing a bikini top under her tank top and that she had pulled her hair into a tight bun at the back of her head. She looked way more ready for a wet party than I did. I started to think about how I could modify my look to make it more wet party ready. It immediately dawned on me that it would probably be a good idea to pull my hair back, so that I wouldn’t have wet hair all over my face. I borrowed a black hair tie from Paris and then turned my attentions to the pre-party activities. A half hour later, we were full of “spirit” and ready to get wet and wild. As we were getting ready to leave, Nevis noticed that I was not wearing a bathing suit and informed that the flyer stated that swimwear was required for the wet rooms. I told him that if we stopped by my place I could quickly put on my bathing suit. In no time flat, I had my green bikini on under my black top and tights and we were on our way to the wet party. Well, actually we were on our way to the Publix parking lot in Tucker to catch the shuttle that would take us to my first wet party.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Kool Runnings
For my first two nights in Atlanta, my Caribbean experiences have been at night, enjoying the Carnival/Memorial weekend fetes. However, on my third day I had my first Caribbean experience under the shine of the Georgia sun. In the afternoon, Nevis picked me up and brought me to get some Caribbean food at a Jamaican restaurant called Kool Runnings. As we drove, Nevis told me that Kool Runnings was one of the few Caribbean restaurants in metro Atlanta. Located on Memorial Drive, the restaurant is part of a group of Caribbean businesses in Stone Mountain—Caribbean Atlanta central. Although I was in Stone Mountain the last two nights, I didn’t notice that the restaurant was located just down the street from the Caribbean clubs, including Club 426. I also didn’t notice how far Stone Mountain was from where I was staying in the Druid Hills Area of Atlanta. At night, everything seems a lot closer than they really are. Maybe it is the decrease in traffic at night. Or, maybe it is the excitement of the nightlife. Whatever it is, I found out that afternoon that we drove 25 minutes to get to the Caribbean section of metro Atlanta.
From the outside, Kool Runnings looked like every other fast food restaurant. It was a square shaped with large windows in the front and sides. It had a red awning with the words “Kool Runnings” written across it in white. Inside, it looked like most of the Caribbean restaurants I had been to in the northeast. Immediately when you walk in, you see a long metal counter with glass panels, like the counters you see in most school cafeterias. On the counter and behind the glass, there were about 15 trays of different Caribbean foods: stew chicken, rice & peas, festivals, curried chicken, dumplings, curried goat (my favorite), to name a few. Above the counter, there was a long billboard listing most of the food they served and their prices. Anyone who has been to a Caribbean restaurant in the States (US) or in the Caribbean knows that not everything they serve is on the menu. Most of the time they will tell you about other dishes they had cooked for the day or you have to ask if they had cooked certain dishes that day. Adjacent to the counter, there was a glass door fridge with bottles of different Caribbean drinks in them, from Ting (a carbonated grapefruit juice) to Tropical Rhythms (assorted fruit juices, such as mango, passion fruit, and pineapple).
Nevis and I approached the counter and ordered our respective meals. I ordered a large plate of curried goat, rice & peas, cabbage (salad), and fried plantains and he ordered a large plate of stew chicken, rice & peas, cabbage, and fried plantains. After we got our food, we turned towards the front of the restaurant and looked for a place to sit, which was not hard, since the place was empty. There were two main seating areas: an inside area and a covered outside area. We decided to sit at a medium sized square table in the middle of the inside seating area, which had booth seating on the sides and about 5 tables and chairs in the middle. The covered outside seating area was directly in front of the inside seating area, separated from it by a set of french doors, and it was structured similar to a cabana with large glassless windows and doorless entrances. In the middle, there were several white circular tables with white plastic chairs. It seemed like a nice place to sit, eat, and chat, but we decided to stay inside since it was over 90 degrees outside.
Overall, I liked Kool Runnings. It is close to the Caribbean clubs and open 24 hours on weekends (perfect for a post-clubbing snack). Plus, it is nice to know that I could get Caribbean food in Atlanta. Don’t get me wrong. I love soul food and I love love love chicken and waffles. But, I LOVE Caribbean food! I grew up on it. It feeds my soul (and my hips, thighs, and other areas…lol). I just couldn’t imagine not being able to get some curried goat, pelau, fish cakes, or some saltfish and bakes (no ackee in my saltfish.. sorry Jamaicans) anytime I wanted. I would walk 15 minutes each way, in 25 degree weather, in my Brooklyn neighborhood (Clinton Hill) to get a good plate of curried goat (shout outs to Buff Patty on Myrtle Ave). So, I was more than okay driving more than 20 minutes to get some curried goat at Kool Runnings. The food was good, although it was honestly not as good as the curried goat I have had in New York. I know it is wrong to compare any city to New York. But, I can’t help it. My palette has been spoiled by the rich (and delicious) variety of ethnic food in New York. Because it is an international hub, New York has fresher and cheaper food. Although Atlanta is closer to the Caribbean than New York, I don’t think that it gets the same quality and quantity of Caribbean products that New York does. I am not trying to be a food critic. But, I felt that the curried goat at Kool Runnings needed to be spicier, darker (in color), and meatier. I was expecting to get that feeling of satisfaction when I took my first bite, but I never got it. Me belly was full but me was still hungry.
I would recommend others to try the food at Kool Runnings for themselves. And, with few other options for Caribbean food I am sure that I will be eating there again. But, I will also be on the look out for other Caribbean restaurants and I will let you know when I find a satisfying plate of curried goat.
One Love.
From the outside, Kool Runnings looked like every other fast food restaurant. It was a square shaped with large windows in the front and sides. It had a red awning with the words “Kool Runnings” written across it in white. Inside, it looked like most of the Caribbean restaurants I had been to in the northeast. Immediately when you walk in, you see a long metal counter with glass panels, like the counters you see in most school cafeterias. On the counter and behind the glass, there were about 15 trays of different Caribbean foods: stew chicken, rice & peas, festivals, curried chicken, dumplings, curried goat (my favorite), to name a few. Above the counter, there was a long billboard listing most of the food they served and their prices. Anyone who has been to a Caribbean restaurant in the States (US) or in the Caribbean knows that not everything they serve is on the menu. Most of the time they will tell you about other dishes they had cooked for the day or you have to ask if they had cooked certain dishes that day. Adjacent to the counter, there was a glass door fridge with bottles of different Caribbean drinks in them, from Ting (a carbonated grapefruit juice) to Tropical Rhythms (assorted fruit juices, such as mango, passion fruit, and pineapple).
Nevis and I approached the counter and ordered our respective meals. I ordered a large plate of curried goat, rice & peas, cabbage (salad), and fried plantains and he ordered a large plate of stew chicken, rice & peas, cabbage, and fried plantains. After we got our food, we turned towards the front of the restaurant and looked for a place to sit, which was not hard, since the place was empty. There were two main seating areas: an inside area and a covered outside area. We decided to sit at a medium sized square table in the middle of the inside seating area, which had booth seating on the sides and about 5 tables and chairs in the middle. The covered outside seating area was directly in front of the inside seating area, separated from it by a set of french doors, and it was structured similar to a cabana with large glassless windows and doorless entrances. In the middle, there were several white circular tables with white plastic chairs. It seemed like a nice place to sit, eat, and chat, but we decided to stay inside since it was over 90 degrees outside.
Overall, I liked Kool Runnings. It is close to the Caribbean clubs and open 24 hours on weekends (perfect for a post-clubbing snack). Plus, it is nice to know that I could get Caribbean food in Atlanta. Don’t get me wrong. I love soul food and I love love love chicken and waffles. But, I LOVE Caribbean food! I grew up on it. It feeds my soul (and my hips, thighs, and other areas…lol). I just couldn’t imagine not being able to get some curried goat, pelau, fish cakes, or some saltfish and bakes (no ackee in my saltfish.. sorry Jamaicans) anytime I wanted. I would walk 15 minutes each way, in 25 degree weather, in my Brooklyn neighborhood (Clinton Hill) to get a good plate of curried goat (shout outs to Buff Patty on Myrtle Ave). So, I was more than okay driving more than 20 minutes to get some curried goat at Kool Runnings. The food was good, although it was honestly not as good as the curried goat I have had in New York. I know it is wrong to compare any city to New York. But, I can’t help it. My palette has been spoiled by the rich (and delicious) variety of ethnic food in New York. Because it is an international hub, New York has fresher and cheaper food. Although Atlanta is closer to the Caribbean than New York, I don’t think that it gets the same quality and quantity of Caribbean products that New York does. I am not trying to be a food critic. But, I felt that the curried goat at Kool Runnings needed to be spicier, darker (in color), and meatier. I was expecting to get that feeling of satisfaction when I took my first bite, but I never got it. Me belly was full but me was still hungry.
I would recommend others to try the food at Kool Runnings for themselves. And, with few other options for Caribbean food I am sure that I will be eating there again. But, I will also be on the look out for other Caribbean restaurants and I will let you know when I find a satisfying plate of curried goat.
One Love.
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