Civil Rights

A bit behind but next am in Memphis we went for a walk to to the Mississipi & the guide Teala gave us a talk on the importance of  Memphis (due to it's position on the river) in the civil war - rich trading city - slaves etc (obvious from the old buildings, very beautiful) so obviously on confederate side!  Also it was where an important catalyst for the civil rights movement went down.  Alhough African Americans had freedom for 100 years, segregation was practiced. Black sanitation workers had to get into the back with the rubbish when it rained while white workers could shelter in the truck. In 1968 2 were crushed to death when the compacting mechanism was accidently activated & this was the spark which ignited a string of actions leading to equal rights. The sanitation workers went on strike for better conditions. Few months later Martin Luther King was shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis & that's where we headed next. The motel with the room where he spent his last night is preserved & the whole thing is the Civil Rights Museum. Excellent museum , unbelievable story considering this has happened in our lifetime, man's inhumanity to man in a supposed civilised country - but we only had a couple of hours - story of the trip really a cooks tour!

After that drove to Nashville, 3 or so hours, once again beautiful sceneryin the Appalacian Mountains. Got to Nashville in time to change for The Grand Ole Opry a concert hall which has  transmitted a radio show since the 20's & helped make country music famous & god knows the south is ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC. It plays ut like a radio show with 4 segments all with different host & artists (nobody I know, mostly geriatrics & big hats de rigeur) & then a chap reading the adverts. Anyway great fun was had by all.
Like most nights then back to hotel to collapse in a screaming heap.

Next day we were taken out to the Belle Meade Plantation , a southern plantation house, now in suburban outskirts of Nashville, but once with many hundred acres. Dated from 1850s & very gracious, full of typical Victorian decor, also had original slave quarters , pretty basic, although this place was run as horse stud back in the day & their most famous horse trainer was a slave Bob Green who was paid $20 a month.

Onto downtown Nashville for the boot sale, buy 1 pair & get 2 pairs free, everyone was keen on this as they are meant to be western boots excellent for line dancing.....well I could hardly lift my foot off the floor so heavy, &it must be me, but my feet are NOT pointy, most designs OTT, found one pair vaguely foot-shaped, guess what - made in China. I don't think so.

more Nashville later, in Washington & have to leave for Arlington Cemetry