Memphis

Memphis, Elvis and the ball game! After my long almost 11 hour bus journey, on which I couldn't sleep, I could do nothing but sleep most of that day. But I did get up in time to see a college basketball game, and oh my what a game. This was a college game, and 16,000 people filled the seats. The game was between the Memphis Tigers and The Uni of Central Arkansas. The game was an obvious win for the tigers, winning 81 to 47. But it was before and inbetween the game when things got exciting. Firstly we all had to stand and remove our hats for the national anthem, played by the big band that constantly played tunes all through the game. During half time a sndwich cannon was shooting t-shirts to the crowd, as well as t-shirts being dropped with parachutes from the ceiling. There were also prize give aways, someone won free pizza, a young child was selected for a bank bond thingy, and some guy won a flat screen TV from one of the many game sponcers. There were also cheerleaders, mascots, really angry sounding fans and strange anouncements. It was a good game, for for the spectacle of the event rather than the basketball game.
My second day was rather bad planning, Thanks giving, where nothing and I mean nothing was open, apart from a petrol station where I was able to buy food for dinner and tea. Not even a park was open, walked ages to get to Mud Island on the Mississippi river. It was a bit of a wasted day, but I did have a TV to entertain me.
Of course I couldn't come to memphis without seeing Graceland. I took a tour bus to the great site and looked around Elvises' former home and garden, and grave. He had great taste, and somewhat over the top designes. The jungle room, basement bar and old shooting gallery were just some of the amazing sights. I saw and read many tributes to him and his familly, He was a truly generous man, often buying the odd car for a stranger in the street. The grave site was a strange place, decorated with orniments and flowers from fans around the world. He lies alongside his parents and grandmother. After the house and grounds I listened live to the Elvis radio station, a small booth outside graceland contained a radio station, where they play nothing but elvis all day long. During my wait for the return of the tour bus, I listened to the weekly Elvis quiz, won by a woman who had been to graceland 19 times.
I enjoyed my small stay in Memphis, and continued on to Nashville, home of country.