The Sun Shines on Alabama!
When I told people that I was going to spend a few days in Alabama I got all manner of comments in line with the negative stereotypes we hear about the south. I spent last week in Birmingham, and although I hate to disappoint my friends there were only two stereotypes that I can confirm; the people were extremely friendly (and polite!), and the barbecue is outstanding.
I landed at the Birmingham airport Monday afternoon, and found it to be (both coming and going) the most laid back airport I have come across. I collected my bags and my rental vehicle without hassle and took off to find my hotel. I snuck into the hamburger joint next to the Ramada for some fresh brewed iced tea. Every time I return from the south I am always disappointed that nowhere that I have found serves iced tea quite like the south.
After setting up my classroom at New Horizons I was introduced to Joan Sheffield, the senior MCT at the centre. She was only one of the myriad nice people I would spend the week with. I asked about the local fare, and Gwen recommended Jim and Nick's barbecue near my hotel. I made the mistake of ordering a bowl of soup with my meal, because a) the soup wasn't very good; and b) the ribs were spectacular, and after filling myself up with soup I couldn't finish them.
My class consisted of IT Professionals from Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi, and they were a group quite on the ball. Of course they joked with me about my northern ways (one pointed out that he was disappointed I never said AY) but the three days we were together were educational for all involved – or so I hope!
I made a lot of new friends in Birmingham and despite the hotel (which was not worth mentioning) I did enjoy myself and hope to get back there soon. If you've never been I strongly recommend Dreamland Barbecue as well as Jim and Nick's, but for real upscale dining don't miss Highlands Bar and Grill, where in honour of Halloween they put little pomegranate seeds configured like bite marks on the plates! If you like iced tea, make sure you go out of your way to find Milo's – the hamburgers are excellent and the iced tea is renowned.
My regular readers will know by now that I have fallen behind so as I return from Fort Lauderdale let's pretend and say 'Next stop: Florida!'