We arrived in Augusta in the early afternoon. The cheap hotel looked OK. Our room did smell quite murky, though. It was on the first floor with its own entrance directly to the parking lot, motel style. We were parked next to a wreck. I went to check out the pool with the boys. It was an outdoor pool, it was actually very pretty. A lot of young people were hanging out around the pool. Some tattooed dudes were listening to loud music, making dancing moves, having a good time. When I turned around, the boys were gone. I guess they found the partying people a bit intimidating.
We decided to go out and explore the city. It turned out that Woodrow Wilson's (the US president with the 14 point program and founder of the precursor to the UN) childhood home was in Augusta. There should also be other historic buildings in the old part of town and something to see close to the river (the Savannah river runs through Augusta)).
Leaving the hotel, we drove through a vast area of chain restaurants and malls along the highway. It was heaven, we had Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks right outside the hotel door and a dozen chain restaurants and big shopping malls a bit further down the highway.
Arriving at "Olde Town" and "Downtown Augusta" we did see isolated nice buildings, but the area seemed strangely deserted with incredibly wide streets and large empty parking lots. There were no shops and no restaurants. Giving up on the historic Augusta, we drove down to the Savannah river. We found a very attractive neighborhood along the river with houses that all had access to the river and boat docks. But the river was only accessible to the house owners, so we couldn't get close to it. On the map we found something called the "River Walk Park". We managed to find the River Walk, parked the car, and went for a stroll. It was very nice, but almost no people around. Of the advertised restaurants close to the river we only found one.
By the harbor in Augsta
The Savannah river
By the River Walk park in Augusta.
We went back, picking up some food on the way. I pondered over the fact, that the city had no heart, no character. All life had left the "Downtown Augusta" or "Olde town". It is strange to see a city, where the historical center is basically in ruins and all life has moved to the the malls and chain fast food restaurants along the highway. The rich people enjoyed the river, but there was nothing to share as a city - except for the River Walk. That was the only thing. The city had no soul. An example not to be followed.
In the evening there was a lot of partying going on at our hotel, apparently people were using it as a base for Saturday night partying. Some people were tinkering with the wrecked car right outside our door, repeatedly setting off the car alarm. It was hell.
Sunday 10.08
We got up late because everybody needed to sleep after the late and noisy night. I went over to the breakfast area and got some breakfast. It was actually not bad. Hiroko and Michael joined me later, but Mai and Philip came too late for breakfast. Then we packed up and were happy to get the hell out of Augusta.
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