Memphis

Hiya,
Sorry for the delay in writing, it’s been a week or so, so we have some catching up to do!
We spent the week in Memphis. In terms of where we were staying, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone without a car. We stayed at the Super 8 Downtown. We were indeed close to downtown, and the river, and the freeway. But because of these very things, we were boxed in by bridges without paths, the Mississippi river & freeways. The only way to walk into town was to walk 20 minutes in the wrong direction first. If you do have a car while you’re in Memphis the location would be great. It would only be a 5 minute drive to Beale Street & Walmart (Also great as there’s a microwave & fridge in the room).
Now moving on…whilst in Memphis we split our time pretty much equally between being hauled up in the hotel due to bad weather, and out in Beale Street enjoying the Blues.
Coincidentally we picked the weekend to be in town for the 26th Annual International Blues festival, which is a celebration of blues across the world. Beale Street gets flooded with hopeful young & old musicians. I actually think there may be tournaments in certain cities to get the privilege of playing there, as a few acts were introduced as representing certain groups/cities/states etc. We even saw a group from Argentina.
Beale Street itself is closed off & available for on street drinking & wristbands are for sale, $15 unlimited access to all venues. We shelled out for this and bought a few beers each (which put us waaay over budget) but was definitely worth it. We saw a vast array of talent and musical styles, “Blues, Roots & Soul” according to Benny. It was amazing & a great feel. It’s not like going to any other gig I have been too. The age groups of people reached both ends of the scale, and everyone was just there to appreciate the music. Every pub/bar filled with people, clapping, cheering & dancing for whoever was on stage. It was refreshing, and a great, fun environment!
Benny earlier on in the week got to jam on stage with an act we were watching in a bar, so that was pretty cool. He played a couple of tunes, Red House & Crossroads, was great of course =]
Memphis was interesting, apart from Beale street, and we assume Graceland, the rest of the city was fairly rundown. We did have a great time though & would like to go back & do the festival again one day as it was awesome, and go to the finale etc..
We didn’t get to Graceland. We decided early on that we couldn’t really afford it & would prefer to blow budget on the festival instead and actually experience some Memphis blues, over seeing where the King Lived. So It’s still on the to-do one day list. Can’t do everything!
Ooh & we got to go into the ball park stadium which was awesome!
So here are some pics from our time there.

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Actually I take it back, the Internet we have here in Nashville is not brilliant & uploading isn't looking possible. Perhaps another time!

Oh & I hope everyone had a kick ass Australia Day. We have been watching a it of the Open every now & again & the Melbourne tourism adds they have on is making us a little homesick!
Hope everyone is well!