5 Takes: Walking in Memphis
I’m thrilled again that the TJs were in one of my favorite cities to visit, Memphis. It’s just about 5 hours drive from my home in St. Louis, so I’ve been there for long weekends several times. I can’t wait to see what they do there. Last week they were in Miami (meaning that they were in Miami at the same time I was there for a wedding.) I can’t wait to see what they think of the Midwest.
First, the TJS decided to take a suggestion from the message board and go on a riverboat ride on the Mississippi. The TJs were impressed by the fall foliage, the slower pace and what they described as a place full of history. Then they all tried to spell Mississippi. What a hoot! That’s ok, I doubt that I could spell rivers in their countries any easier. ;-)
While the other TJs enjoyed the view, Zach went to the captain’s area and talked to the captain. They were all impressed by the old styles of boats on the river. And they didn’t know what the paddle wheel was called. I think it would be just as foreign to one of us to go to their countries and try to name the local types of boats. It’s interesting what we take for granted, isn’t it?
The local hostels were all full the week they were in Memphis, so they went to an inn and made a deal with the owner to let them stay for a price they could afford in exchange for doing chores during their stay. (Now, why can’t I ever get a deal like that? Oh, yeah, it probably has something to do with the fact that I don’t travel with a camera crew…) The suite they got was spectacular! What a deal!
Next day, while some TJs are doing chores, Jaime gets a tip from the message board to go to Beale Street. That would have been my suggestion too. ;-) Jaime and Lena went into one of the cool daiquiri-to-go places and were amazed at the selection and that people just drink them walking down the street. (Yup, that’s Beale Street!) While walking along, they met some people wearing funny hats and struck up a conversation, which led to the girls getting an invitation to go to a local’s house for a real bar-b-que dinner.
Zach and Bevis went on a tour of Memphis by old time Cadillac Fleetwood. They were shown Sun Studio, where Elvis and many others got their start. They saw the apartment that Elvis lived in when he was a kid, the school where he went when he was growing up and a lot more. Then they saw Johnny Cash’s house, the pyramid-shaped sports arena.
That evening, the TJs went to Blues City Cafe to listen to Blues music. They got acquainted with the local musicians and were impressed at the availability of music and people’s love for it.
The message boards told them to go to the Peabody Hotel to see the ducks. (I’ve stayed there and they are a real treat!) Bevis was chosen to be the day’s duck master for the hotel. He got a ceremonial duck headed cane and got to escort the ducks from the roof to the lobby to go into the fountain. Bevis was the natural choice for the job and performed it perfectly!
Zach and Lena went to the Cooper Avenue Deli to listen to more music and to meet the musician. He told them that they should visit a nearby record store called Goner Records to hear some more good local music.
Across town, Bevis, Tim and Jaime went to the Memphis zoo. Bevis was still on a quest to see a white tiger. He was thrilled to see the white tiger and thought it was beautiful. Jaime was happy to see the pandas. Tim was most excited to see the polar bears.
That evening, they got a tip about a place called the Flying Saucer where there is over 250 types of beer from around the world and beer on tap is only $2.50. They had about 75 different draft beers and over 140 different kinds in bottles. Sounds like beer drinkers’ heaven! Zach ordered his own kind of beer - root beer.
Thank goodness they took the advice of the message boards and went to the Civil Rights Museum. I know that the first time I went, it was so incredibly moving. I think that anyone wishing to know our country should learn about our not-so-proud historical facts too. Otherwise, they miss a big part of what made the mid-twentieth century so tumultuous and gave way to the improvements we’ve seen since then. We still have a long way to go, but this museum tells of the progress we have managed to make.
The National Civil Rights Museum is located at the Lorraine Motel, the site of the assasination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The TJs were able to see the horrible history of the African-American in the United States. I think now they might have a more clear vision of what the statue of Abraham Lincoln signified in Washington D.C. The TJs were visibly moved by the experience and I’m so glad they got to go there.
Then, the group went to tour Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. They were in awe of the wardrobe and the rooms with his platinum records and then the grave site of Elvis. Zach was happy to finally understand some of the lyrics to the song “Walking in Memphis”. (”There’s a pretty little thing waiting for the king, down in the jungle room.”) Again, they got an over-inflated view of Elvis’ importance to American history. But, who cares. they’re having fun and it hurts no one. :-)
Next, the message boards sent them to the Pink Palace Mansion. Apparently, it was built by the founder of the first supermarket in the 1920s, it was Piggly Wiggly. They came across a real shrunken head and it had a recipe for making one. Bevis was creeped out, but found it amusing!
Finally, the TJs went to the house of the local they met, Benji. The menu was full of ribs and other traditional southern bar-b-que fare. They seemed to have a great time.
Before they left, they had to decide on their luxury splurge. They agreed on a trip to Sun Studios to take the our and record their own “5 Takes Blues” song. They followed in the footsteps of Elvis, Johnny Cash and even U2 who had already recorded there. They had some creative differences when creating the song, but in the end, they came up with a decent montage. They got some advice and backup vocals from a local singer, Miss Nikki. They lyrics they came up with were these:
Been on the road so long, put the blues in the song
Been away for weeks, met a lot of freaks
But I’m lovin’ it. 5 Takes: USA
Said I’m lovin’ it, doing your darn way.
Fifty bucks a day, what more can I say?
My back is aching, my head is breakin’
But I’m lovin’ it. 5 Takes: USA
Said I’m lovin’ it, doing your darn way.
Despite all these things, life is really good
So go on the web on the message board.
But I’m lovin’ it. 5 Takes: USA
Said I’m lovin’ it, doing your darn way.
In reflection, Lena said that she was surprised at how cold it was in Memphis and the people are still so very warm. Jaime thought that the southern accent sounded like music to her. (Just wait until she gets to Texas!)
Zach said that he knew almost nothing about Memphis when they got there, but upon leaving it is one of his favorite cities on the trip. He loved the musical history and social history. He said he learned a lot about himself and about America. I’m glad they see that there’s a lot more to America than the glitz of Vegas and the politics in D.C. We have one of the most diverse and interesting countries and I think a lot of Americans take that for granted.
Tim was impressed by the Civil Rights Museum and learned that the human race has a long way to go. Jaime took away a quote from Ghandi saying, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
I loved seeing a familiar city through unfamiliar eyes. This show gives us a chance to see our own world in a new way..from people who aren’t familiar with it at all. If you think you could enjoy learning a bit about America through others’ eyes, be sure to catch the next few weeks of this show. It won’t disappoint you!
This week, the TJs are in New York City, next week they’ll be in Austin, Texas. Be sure to log in and tell them what great things they should do while they are there. They really do respond to our messages!
I’ll post photos from their stay in Memphis as soon as they go out on the site.
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