| M E M P H I S T E N N E S S E |
| It took 20 plus hours on a bus to get here but we made it! A solid diet of coffee and cigarettes at every stop I think managed to get me through! Good old Greyhound. JB and Danna met us at the bus stop and whisked us for the most almighty breakfast in a Diner. Something that was very much needed. We headed back for showers (another much needed thing) and BEER lots and lots of beer. We've spent the week being very lazy, swimming, riding, shopping updating this. It has been fantastic. |
| Graceland, home to the King of Rock and Roll was not what I had imagined whatsoever. It was small and compact rather than a great spralling mansion with enormous grounds. There was no glitz and bright lights, just a lot of people pushing round behind one another whilst you were plugged into an Audio Tour. It was hard to believe that Elvis had lived there because it did look very much like a family home (apart from the room with the green shag pile carpet on the ceiling!!). The shrine to Elvis and where he was buried was a bit morbid for my liking, But the Elvis Appreciation Society from Northampton UK had laid a wreath of plastic flowers and horrid pictures which made the whole thing a lot more interesting. We missed Elvis Death week by a fortnight thank God. There are still so many thousands of people who turn up either once or twice a year to be homage to the King. Personally I think they are mad. |
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| GRACELAND |
| BEALE STREET |
| Beale Street, the centre of Memphis, the place with the lights, the music, the street bars, the food, the characters. What a street! Friday night and it was humming with music from the bars and clubs and people laughing and enjoying themselves. We started in a bar called Alfred's where a live band were performing very good covers and the seats were full. The food was superb. That started the night on Beale Street. We headed for a cafe called Rum Boogies via the Beale Street Gift Shop. Jossy bought all kinds of stuff and I picked up a very trendy pair of pink and gold sunglasses for $5. Can't go wrong! Rum Boogies was packed and we headed upstairs to the balcony area to watch the band play. Two beers, a glass of wine and some water later, we all leant over the balcony and watched a superb group perform. I had a problem with the height of the railings and to save anyone the embarrasment of the spring loaded dwarf kicked my shoes off and knelt on the stool for the rest of the set. This in turn amused the people around us who took it in turns to tickle my feet every time they walked past. |
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| JUST HOW COOL DO I LOOK IN THIS HAT? |
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| From Rum Boogies Cafe we crossed the street to BB Kings Blues Club. Yet again another electric place full of vibe and excitment. We headed upstair again and watched the warm up act. A group of teenagers doing the most incredible acrobatics across the stage and infront of it. They were mad!!!!!!!!! twisting turning leaping over each other. I got a cricked neck just from watching them. One guy back flipped over four people from the audience................... I was a little impressed. Mind you not saying that I couldn't do it, it would just take a large amount of gin / beer/ Pimms/ Wine and I don't think I could guarantee not landing on top of everyone! These guys were loopy, literally. Another little guy did 8 back flips on the spot in row........................... I think he was brought up in a tumble dryer. The band were again fabulous and played a wide range of music covers and originals. Sweet Home Alabama was played and I dragged Miss Drummond onto the floor for a boogie. All in all a bloody excellent evening. My headache told me that in the morning! |