graceland

obviously one of the main reasons for going to memphis was to go visit graceland, elvis presley's house.
we got there around 10.30am and went on the tour and were there till around 3pm. most of that time was spent going round the various gift stores as my friend bought as much cheap plastic elvis crap as he could. i didn't complain though because actually for the first time in the trip he had actually shown some enthusiasm to see something and he also hadn't mentioned getting food for the first time on the trip. i thought maybe this would be the attitude he would have for the rest of the trip and other places we would visit. i would be wrong, but at the time i was hopeful.








also by chance we found out that it was elvis week in memphis and that there was the final of the official elvis impersonators competition that evening. they were going to pick the best elvis from a final 10. we headed into town, got something to eat and then headed to the theatre where the competition was on and got tickets.

that evening we went to the show and it was good entertainment. there were lots of people there and quite a lot of people from abroad. there was a particularly hysterical group of japanese women in front of us who were supporting one of the contestants in particular. thet were going absolutely nuts for him every time he came on stage. it was very funny.



after that we headed back into town and ended up going back to the hotel. i did suggest going for a drink on beale street but my friend didn't want to. he said he didn't want to have a hangover. i suggested he don't get too drunk and only have a couple or even stick to sodas and fruit juice but he said he didn't want to do that. i don't drink at all but it would have been nice to go to a bar and listen to a band play or meet some of the locals. my friend was not interested in that. strangely enough he has a reputation as a bit of a party animal when he is here in london but he just didn't want to go out late in the evenings at all on our trip. it seems some people are unable to go out and not get shitfaced every time. my suggestion of just a couple of drinks seemed absurd. i think my friend is turning into a miserable old git.