They like me- they really like me

We were at the Atlanta Aquarium. Why? Because it bills itself as the largest aquarium in the world and – it’s brand new.
It’s a bad start when you go to a venue and you don’t know where to enter and there are no signs instructing you. But never mind that. Joseph dropped me off at the curb and he went to park. I walked around the outer circle ramp of the entrance since no one was allowed to walk down the stairs to the entrance. Strange, but true.
I purchased the tickets and we entered only to find a dark hallway and a bunch of people looking lost. We figured out the correct hallway and walked into a big circle in the middle of the building with circular exhibits to be entered from the sides. While I appreciate the effort for a circular space, the feeling was so spacious, that the whole event seemed scattered. We appreciate beautiful buildings and design but most of all we appreciate things that not only wow us with beauty but are useful, and practical. I especially like buildings that easily promote the flow of people in different directions. This building missed the mark but the exhibits more than made up for it. We were able to see very unique species that we had not seen in Monterey Bay or the Academy of Sciences Aquariums.
My favorite is the ethereal Beluga Whales. Their beauty and grace are just awesome. They always draw a crowd and it was hard to get up close to the glass to see them. I waited patiently and found a space. To my surprise, they instantly came over to me. Hee, hee, I thought, they really like me! They really like me! I caught their eye and silently talked to them. We danced in a silent space for awhile.
As we left and walked over to the seals, I noticed the same thing happening. Only this time, I knew what voice they heard from me. It was the voice of my cane. As I walked towards them, they felt the vibration and swam over to it. I would test this by pounding my cane to my right and then to my left. The seals would move to each area where I put my cane. The children around me squealed in delight. Pretty soon, they would follow me to watch me pound my cane near the glass and watch the fish come. That’s when I knew it was time to stop.
Making magic is fun when it is spontaneous and authentic – not deliberate and showy. Kinda like real life, huh?