Memphis, 3/11/07
Originally uploaded by riblet.
We had a nice time in Memphis last weekend. It was my first trip to the South, so I was very excited to see what it was all about. Or at least Memphis anyway. I felt like I did a good job of minding my sirs and ma'ams. So what did I think? People were nice, it was weird to not see mountains on the horizon, the Mississippi was wide and everything else was big. The houses were bigger, the yards were bigger, the cars were bigger, the people were...well, bigger.
We spent much of the time hanging out with family in the greater Memphis area. They were just sweet as pie and fed and watered us to no end. Did you know that in Memphis, you can buy a house twice as big as mine for about half as much? Yeah, but then you'd have to live there.
We hit up Graceland, where I nursed Ira through the jungle room and a couple of rooms after that. Now I can say I whipped it out at Elvis's house. Can you? No? I also whipped it out at Sun Studios. When we got there, we thought we could take Ira in, but they didn't allow babies, so I sat in the cafe and drank an IBC on the house. Then Ira drank his usual...on me. I swear, I never had to feed this kid in so many different places.
We also got to peek in the window at Gibson Guitars and watch some guys paint and cut wood for mega expensive axes. Then we hit Beale Street, which was cool I guess if you are into the boogie-woogie blues, bbq and sipping on a "big ass beer," as advertised in many restaurant windows. When hunger hit, we had fries and sweet tea at a little diner. Though Ira stated he would have much preferred the local Hooters restaurant. Men!
Getting to know more of Leon's mom's side of the family was really nice. We even had a family photo taken. Poor Ira was overdue for a nap and cried through the whole thing. I can't wait to see the pictures of me wincing, arms pressed to chest and Ira wailing.
In all, I feel like I got more of a suburban experience and less of the Southern experience I was expecting. I'd really like to go back and visit some other cities. Atlanta? NOLA? Where my dawgs at?
Oh, P.S.? I have been vegan since Tuesday. It's hard. Really, really hard. You know, with that half gallon of Samoas Girl Scout Cookie ice cream sitting in the freezer. Indescribably hard. Ok, buck up little camper because we have about 2 more weeks to go.
