Cultural Perspectives

Road Trip ~ Atlanta continued

Since I'm not a big soda drinker, I had no idea that we had traveled to the epicenter of Coca~Cola world.  Yes, just a short walk across the park from our hotel was the World Coca~Cola Museum.  While I'm thinking "yawn," my traveling companions were eager to visit so off we went.  During the walk in 90+ degrees with 90+ percent humidity I'm thinking, "This place had better have the coldest air conditioning in Atlanta."  I really wasn't expecting to be entertained, I just wanted respite from the oppressive heat.

No doubt about it, the place was a combo of cheesy and interesting, but visitors seemed to love it.  Once I got past the Disney-like feel, the larger-than-life cartoon characters and the feel-good movie they ushered us all through, I have to admit parts of the museum attracted my attention.  The displays of historical marketing memorabilia showcases how regardless of cultural perspectives, we all just want to be entertained and refreshed.  I was fascinated (well, maybe that's too strong of a word) with the beginnings of Coke including the creation of its original formulation and the design of its iconic glass bottle. 

After seeing what goes into Coke, I am even more convinced than ever that it's not a very healthy drink.  I must admit, however, that after trying a tiny sip of all 60+ sodas that the company makes around the world, Original Coke is by far the best tasting drink they offer.   I was absolutely amazed at the diversity of cultural tastes.  The museum has a clever tasting room with large soda dispensers arranged by large geographic areas ~ North America, Latin America, European continent, Asia and Africa/Middle East.   Some of the sodas were so vile to my taste buds that I can't imagine anyone liking them.  And so it goes ~

Cultural diversity and cultural perspectives.  It's what makes the world fascinating and it's what keep us apart.  We cling so tightly to our cultural identities and perspectives that we lose sight of a fundamental truth ~ that we all share a similar identity as human beings and the same identity in Christ.