Day 15
Whilst Louise was checking out this morning a concerned Spanish man said 'I think there is something wrong with my toilet. The water goes all the way down and then fills up again" (see I'm not the only one who notices)
San Francisco is a beautiful place to be, when the sun is shining, and the cold wind is not blowing, unfortunately, we were on the way to the airport at the time.
As we feared, we were subjected to another 'random security check'. This time Louise didn't scream at the explosive 'sniffing' machine.
San Francisco is one of the busiest airports in America; our plane joined a long queue of jets waiting to take off. The air traffic controllers are working hard bringing the planes in tight amongst this crowded airspace or as they call their work 'pushing tin", which must be one of the most stressful jobs in the world. Today the terminal was packed with people, and our flight was completely full. Fortunately, this was one of the first hotels we booked, because it is Elvis week in Memphis. But don't worry we have secured our VIP tickets to Graceland.
We flew with Northwest airlines, and the plane was pretty dirty - there were chips on the floor, and the windows had grubby handprints on them, It's clear they don't clean them between flights., probably to save costs, and to get them back up in the air to start earning again.
Touched down in the 'land of the delta blues' at 6.30pm local time, although it’s only a four hour flight, we gain two hours with the time difference. We are now on GMT - 6, US central time. Memphis is a small domestic airport, but the largest Cargo airport in the world, where FedEx, have there headquarters (pictured below). Memphis itself is a major transport hub, being at the intersection of two highways, and on the Mississippi river.
Whilst Louise was checking out this morning a concerned Spanish man said 'I think there is something wrong with my toilet. The water goes all the way down and then fills up again" (see I'm not the only one who notices)
San Francisco is a beautiful place to be, when the sun is shining, and the cold wind is not blowing, unfortunately, we were on the way to the airport at the time.
As we feared, we were subjected to another 'random security check'. This time Louise didn't scream at the explosive 'sniffing' machine.
San Francisco is one of the busiest airports in America; our plane joined a long queue of jets waiting to take off. The air traffic controllers are working hard bringing the planes in tight amongst this crowded airspace or as they call their work 'pushing tin", which must be one of the most stressful jobs in the world. Today the terminal was packed with people, and our flight was completely full. Fortunately, this was one of the first hotels we booked, because it is Elvis week in Memphis. But don't worry we have secured our VIP tickets to Graceland.
We flew with Northwest airlines, and the plane was pretty dirty - there were chips on the floor, and the windows had grubby handprints on them, It's clear they don't clean them between flights., probably to save costs, and to get them back up in the air to start earning again.
Touched down in the 'land of the delta blues' at 6.30pm local time, although it’s only a four hour flight, we gain two hours with the time difference. We are now on GMT - 6, US central time. Memphis is a small domestic airport, but the largest Cargo airport in the world, where FedEx, have there headquarters (pictured below). Memphis itself is a major transport hub, being at the intersection of two highways, and on the Mississippi river.
Our taxi driver, Mohamed, from Somalia, was very nice; he told us there is a big crime problem in Memphis. Somalia, you must remember, is the war torn African country featured in 'Black Hawk Down', so when a guy from Somalia says Memphis is bad, then it must be pretty bad.
The Memphis Marriott Downtown is close to the mighty Mississippi River, which we can just see from our hotel. After booking into our hotel room (pictured below), we take a taxi 8 blocks to the famous Beale Street. With the Somalia’s advice ringing in my ear, we left the camera, phone, and wallet behind, keeping some cash in my pocket. However, we need not have worried; Beale Street is blocked off, cops are stationed at both ends, and walk foot patrol. Hang on, is that a good sign, or a bad sign. (I'm sure they don't want to kill the Golden Goose, and have a tourist hurt on this major tourist attraction).
The really cool BB Kings is on the corner pumping out music, and there are cute little shops along the street, and a number of bars. We had dinner at the Memphis Hard rock Cafe, where an 'Elvis Tribute Artist' competition is being held. One guy was a dead ringer for the young Elvis. (Damn, wish I had my camera!) Our African American waitress was so cool, that Louise wants to be black too. Her new name will be 'Shaniqua'.
Needless to say we jumped in a taxi at the rank on Beale Street, not before I got hit up by a beggar. Mmm, probably a good idea we didn't try to walk back to our hotel.
It's warm here, and there is no need for a jacket at night. Tonight we experienced some traditional Southern hospitality, and I had some good old Hickory smoked barbeque ribs, washed down with cold Budweiser.
Tomorrow we have booked a tour of Memphis, and will head back to the Hard Rock Cafe again, for the next 'Elvis Tribute Artist' round, and also so Louise, sorry, "Shaniqua", can catch up with her new 'bestie'.
Tomorrow we have booked a tour of Memphis, and will head back to the Hard Rock Cafe again, for the next 'Elvis Tribute Artist' round, and also so Louise, sorry, "Shaniqua", can catch up with her new 'bestie'.
