Say it Loud

We have been to the Brooks museum of art today, to see an amazing exhibition from activist photographers of the civil rights movement. Each photo was superb. As we walk around Memphis and experience the edges of the projects where we are staying, then flick on the news to see Baltimore under curfew, you know that the fight goes on. 

Later we spent some time sampling local beers and cocktails - where we were asked for ID! Then walking home, we got invited to the local turbo island (Bristol ref) - we declined the kind offer. 

One thing that is becoming ubundently clear to us, is that you either have a car or pretty much don't go anywhere. The buses are crap and stop at 5pm, pavements are collapsed and when people give as walking times to get anywhere, they clearly haven't done it themselves. There's not even walk in entrances to stores or food shops through carparks. So there has been much trudging - exacerbated by Lou's poor sense of direction. But EVERYONE we see says 'How y'all doing?'!

We are chilling on the porch tonight, eating pork rinds and joining the "Go Grizzlies" call, which we assume is sports related and not about the conservation of bears. 

It's up in the 80s with a cool southern breeze. Feeling the love. 

Awesome/didn't know: The black panther symbol emerged during the civil rights movement, not through the Black Panthers. 

Banjo: A man excitedly presented his large lump of quartz to us as we walked down the street. As you do. Oh, and there is life after meth apparently. Thank you local convenience store for that piece of handy information subtly emblazoned across your frontage. We also experienced sugar fries with our meal lastnight. Not recommended. 

Diner: Healthy salad - think we're hitting a downtown diner pre His Bobness tomorrow evening, so as to get the bingo  challenge underway. 

Love of co-pilot: Lou got us lost again lastnight and misread the bus timetable this morning. She has plummeted to 5/10. This does not bode well for her navigation role to get us out of Memphis by car on Sunday. 

Guns and cats

As many of you know, we think the two above subjects should be closely linked. Fortunately on our trip to the boho area, we stumbled across this offer of upskilling in the armament area, handily accompanied by sitting targets a few blocks on: 

1. Adult education classes alive and well

2. Some sort of rescue cat shop 

- yep, that's cats in buckets in the window. They live there. But you don't need to go in folks, you can share their aromatic delight right from the sidewalk. 

Thank you citizens of Memphis for helping us live our dream. 

Lock and load. 

Walking in Memphis

We are in America!!! 

Evidence:

Finding our bearings today. Air bnb place great and 30min walk to downtown. We got our first glimpse of The Mississippi. It was emotional. We then toured Sun Studios 

where Lou sang into one of the original mics. The X marks the spot where Elvis recorded his first hit. 

The city is gearing up for Beale St Festival this weekend, so as we want to hang with the yoof, we're catching up from jet lag and chilling on the porch 

and then going out in the boho bar area tonight.  

Seen a lot of desolated areas and a lot of homeless guys. Not expecting that to get any less as we travel. 

Our host comes from a town with 5 prisons in which her entire family is employed. It's the sole employer of the town. Her mum is a prison reformer. Small world!

As per early post...

Awesome/didn't know: Big Mama Thornton's original Hound Dog nearly bankrupted Sam Phillips of Sun Studios,  for copy right violation of Rufus Thomas' Bear Cat response record. More violation fees informed his decision to sell Elvis. 

Banjo: There's a cat igloo in the bathroom. 

Diner: Healthy smoothy - sorry to disappoint. 

Love of co-pilot: Lou got us lost walking into town. The workers in the subsequently discovered industrial backwater stared a lot. As tired and disorientated from travel, she is awarded a 9/10. 

Mississippi selfie

The walking dead in Detroit

Waiting for our connection. V tired. 

Watching live images of the riots in Baltimore. 

. 

And so it begins

Checked in 5 minutes ago. Den has lost his boarding card. Den has used my id to check his bag. Den has found boarding card in pocket. Den thinks it's endearing. Lou doesn't. 

Road Trip Tunage

You can listen along with us here:
https://open.spotify.com/user/1186145500/playlist/7o01Bx8e8qUyOR9AmeWiRr

We take only partial responsibility for the music, as we were provided with a number of tracks by you kindly folk. These were supposed to reflect road trips and H61 geography, history, music and politics. Many of you strayed from the brief! But there is a fine selection nonetheless. Some good ol' metal to the floor stuff and there is also a sprinkling of 'Our Tunes'. 

Plus 'America' by The Nice, which is as testing as a giant unfoldable map (see previous post).

Right that's it, we're off on Monday, so see you in Memphis!

Stuff wot we will tell you

I did not know that/Awesome Dude!: Things that have surprised/delighted us.

Is that a banjo I hear?: Freaky weird shit.

Diner Bingo: Welcome to the flavour town, Triple D, righteous world of diners.We will take you on a cheese smothered ride of cardiac wonders.

Love of co-pilot: We are the worst co-drivers. Recent 'discussions' have included giant map v satnav. The scale will go from:
1: 'Shove that giant map that will no longer fold flat, (like I said all along) where the sun don't shine and go walk to the next stop', to:
10: 'Expert driving darling, how could I ever doubt your navigation abilities? You are the compass to my life and the GPS of my soul'.