Tuesday
May 11th.
Bart
picked me up at 4 am and together we drove to Brussels Intl. Airport. We caught the 7 am
flight to London. We reduced the pain of the 4-hour stopover with a couple of English
pints. During the flight to Atlanta we could enjoy the beautiful weather and got a great
Arial view of New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC. We arrived ½ hour early in
Atlanta so we had plenty of time to pick up the rental car and drive to our hotel in
Doraville. After a burger and a Budweiser it was time to hit the sack after a tiring
travel day.
Wednesday
May 12th.
Tried
to call Chief Warthen at 9 am, but he was in a meeting until 1 pm.
So
we used this morning to scout out the downtown area. After a visit to The Underground, we
ate lunch at Hooters. After lunch, we went to the City Hall office and had our meeting
with Chief Warthen. We discussed our program until it was time to head back to the Airport
to pick up Paul and the rest of the group. Back at the hotel in Doraville we took a quick
dip in the pool, had dinner at Burger King and went to bed early.
Thursday
May 13th.
After
a good night sleep it’s time for our first American breakfast. At 9 am we leave for
downtown using Interstate 85. We have an appointment with Chief Warthen at the Fire
Department HQ. After a quick explanation on how the department operates we all go to
Station 1 were we wait until we get the final stations that are selected for our visit.
They are all located in a 20-mile radius from downtown. Willy (FD Kaprijke) and myself are
stationed in Station 10. This is one of the bigger stations. It houses an engine, a ladder
truck, a light wagon and the Battalions chiefs’ vehicle. We only were there for a few
minutes when the first call came in. It was a structure fire with flames going thru the
roof. We just loved it.
They
had a BBQ for dinner that night. Mmmmmm…….
We
enjoyed the lovely evening and hoped for a busy night.
Friday
May 14th
It
wasn’t busy that night, and after a cup of coffee and a couple of donuts we had to
leave Station 10 at 9 am for the groups meeting at Station 1.
First
we went to visit the State Capitol and then had lunch at Hooters (great chicken wings). In
the afternoon we paid a visit to the 911 – Dispatch center and had a look at the
training facility. Then we went to a local uniform shop were we got a few t-shirts and
patches. By 6 pm we were all back at the stations, ready to wait for the next call.
Saturday
May 15th
This
was a ride – along day. We all stayed in the stations and could ride along on any
call that came in. We sure had a busy day and got calls for a serious car accident, a
brushfire, a shooting and a couple of medical calls.
Sunday
May 16th
This
morning the group convened again at station 1 from where we walked to the CNN building. We
took the CNN tour, which showed us all the famous studios, and we took the time to do some
shopping in the CNN shop. At 11 am we left for Six Flags, a beautiful rollercoasterpark,
were we enjoyed the death defying rides in this typical American environment. On the way
back, we ate lunch at a Chinese restaurant were we enjoyed the « All you can eat
– buffet ». By 8 pm we were all back in the stations for another night of ride
- along.
We
didn’t get much sleep that night but we had to be at Station 1 by 9 am. This morning
we had a planned meeting with the Fire chief of Atlanta and his staff. We took the
opportunity to hand out a couple of gifts and thank the department for the great reception
they gave us. Capt Shinkle of station 1 was made honorary member of our organization.
That
afternoon we visited the Hartsfield airport Fire Station. It was a special Kodak moment
because of what we were shown there. The Jaguar made a very special impression on us, and
it was shown to us, even though it was still on evaluation and was hidden for most
viewers.
That
evening the group split up, some of them got to see a base ball game, the others spent the
night at the Underground (Hooters again)
Tuesday
May 18th
Another
Ride along day and another chance for us to observe the working methods of our American
colleagues. Just being able to spend a day with them and talk about our ways of life was a
beautiful experience for the both of us.
Wednesday
May 19th
This
is the morning to say goodbye. We had breakfast together with Capt Shinkle and his sons. A
couple of presents were exchanged and a few group photos were shot. We left for Huntsville
that day. Visiting the Space Center, we got a good look on the past and the future of the
American Space program. A bus tour brought us into the Nasa facility were we could observe
the booster test area and we got to see a module of the ISS (International Space Station),
being prepared for a 2001 space launch. That night we had a pizza at Pizza Hut, and we met
Valère Miserèz, a friend of Paul, who lives in Huntsville.
Thursday
May 20th
The
first night for some of us, that we could sleep through without being awakened by some
call. So everybody was ready to continue our trip in to Tennessee. In the morning, we
visited the Jack Daniels Brewery.
Only
to be sorry that this is a dry county, so we could only have a smell at the heavenly brew.
It still was a magnificent tour, and the old fire truck in the back yard got our special
attention. By noon we arrived in Chattanooga, a train lovers paradise. The area around the
train station is completely restored into a hotel and a very good place to hang around.
After a very nice ice cream we headed for the Smokey Mountains for our hotel in Pigeon
Forge. We can relax now and take a stroll through the streets.
Friday
May 21th.
This
morning has been set aside for shopping. A big factory store shopping center should have
something for everybody. We realize of course that from now on there will be less space in
the rental cars. In the afternoon we split up again. Paul and Willy go to Dollywood and
the rest of the group take a nature walk thru the Smokey Mountains. That night we have a
little party in the hotel rooms.
Saturday
May 22nd.
After
a big breakfast we have a long trip ahead, which will bring us back to Atlanta. It will
take us through the Smokey Mountains, into the Cherokee Indian reservation. A couple of
great views on the way are worth a photo. In the early evening we arrive back in
Doraville, where we meet some old friends from Jacksonville. Indeed, John, Sweetie and JB
came to Atlanta and will join us that evening to go to the laser show at the Stone
Mountain Park.
Sunday
May 23rd
After
our last night on American soil, we head back to downtown Atlanta for a visit to the
Martin Luther King memorial and The World of Coca Cola. After that, its time to say
goodbye to our friends from Jacksonville and head back to airport. We return the rental
cars and check in our luggage at the terminal. It’s time to spend our last dollars on
a few Budweiser’s and prepare for the long flight home. The trip was exhausting and
there was a lot less activity than during the flight over.
Monday
May 24th
The
long flight brings us all back to Brussels Intl. Airport where the family is waiting for
us. Everybody is clear about the experience from the last 12 days, it was a wonderful
experience and they are all ready to pack and leave again.
Written
By Van Acker Filip – FD Zelzate
Translated
by Paul Vanlook – Sharon K. Banwell
