Let's just say Memphis was a bit funky at night. The Walmart we camped at wasn't bad but it was the first time we were unsure if we could stay there. What we thought was a security truck would rive ever so slowly up and down the aisles of cars. It had lights flashing and would check in, stop, keep going back up, etc. The only reason we were unsure if it was security was because it didn't say that anywhere. On the side of the door all that was written in red, white, and blue was USA! So instead of getting kicked out we were proactive and decided to drive one aisle over to a new parking lot he didn't patrol. Problem solved!
At this point we have given up the sleeping bags. In favor of using the bags and pads as a semi-soft bedding the humidity stays the whole night. The heat dies down, but the humidity is what gets ya. It was another early rise for Mike, now onto his second book. When I woke we packed up per usual and drove off to our last Memphis stop. Arriving at the International Civil Rights Museum we were a bit early and just chilled for a few minutes in the car. When it opened up we were right there at the front of the line ready to go in, understanding the hardship we would see, but not fully coming to terms with how gripping it would all be.
The museum takes place at the Lorraine Hotel, surrounding building built around it. This is the motel Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, baring a lot of weight and pain just to witness it The entrance of the museum was rather small and there wasn't much to see. We were ushered towards a side that went over the history and upkeep of the building and motel but it didn't seem to offer a whole lot. We were rather disappointed that there wasn't more to this museum, but after a few paces this impression would soon wear off. We came to a viewing room where a video called “The Witness” was shown every 30 minutes.
In this theater, the video everyone would watch had us crumble to pieces. The documentary focused on the work and last few days of Dr. King. It was mainly narrated by one of his close friends, and the man who stood beside him as he was shot, “the witness”, Reverend Samuel “Billy” Kyles. This monumental tribute and explanation of Dr. King and his work as a Civil Rights Activist was heart-wrenching. Just as I couldn't explain the view of the Grand Canyon at sunset, neither can I convey the sorrow and emotion that filled that room. This amazing, yet mournful tale from Rev. Kyles let us in, if only for a second, to that chilling and depressing day. As “The Witness” and the only Reverend left of the original 3 tried to instill the audience with a shared experience you could hear and feel the room fill with sadness and tears. All around, including us, people were shifting to wipe tears away, or cover their faces. Whether it was a steady stream or a teary twinkle, the heavy emotion was felt by all.
After the film ended the stunned audience took a while to get up and leave. As we departed and turned the corner there it was, the exhibit we had expected to encounter. From the beginning of slavery all the way to present day, there wasn't a rally, protest, march, uprising, revolt, case of segregation or integration, missed. This museum had it all. Most exhibits were attributed to American civil rights, but there were a few that went over other world demonstrations. The long walk through lead all the way to the actual room, and spot of Dr. Kings last few moments. We would then leave the museum and head across the street to the house where it is suspected the shooter hid. Here there was a whole 'nother long exhibit talking about every little detail known, or supposed about the day, and shooter.
Leaving with a very somber feeling we exited this side of the museum we headed to the car. It was planned to go try and make it to a free viewing of the Dixon Gardens, (Thanks for the heads up Aunt Patti) but when we looked at the clock we had been at the museum for nearly 4 hours. After opening at 9, it was now almost 1. Deciding to skip the gardens, (sorry!) we wanted to grab some grub and hit the open road. We stopped off at The BBQ Shop Restaurant. Boy did this place blow Topps out the water. Sitting down to a nice rack of ribs and a pulled pork shoulder sandwich with various sides, this was Memphis hospitality right here. It was heaven, and it tasted goooooood. Bellies full once again , completely satisfied, we made for New Orleans!
The drive down was uneventful, with the only major city we drove through being Jackson, Mississippi. However, maybe 100 miles outside of New Orleans the road became elevated. When you looked over we were on top of a bayou. A far as the eye could see was swamp, with the highway suspended above these wetlands. Working our way towards New Orleans we came to our hostel... oh yeah by the way, no Walmart for us here, we got a ressie at a hostel, yeah that's what's up! The place looked a bit sketchy, but so far its been pretty nice. From the website we had hoped this would be a crazy fun place with co-eds and good people all around. Well let's just say its one big sausage hostel. Not really what we had hoped for, not even what I was expecting after hearing Katie's time spent at a hostel. Most of the guys were a bit stand offish, not too willing to extend a hand. Everyone is pretty timid here, and not very open at all. Oh well, to each's own.
Unpacking the car a bit, and checking our situation for the next two nights we felt pooped. But instead we decided to go hit up the New Orleans night life!!! Walking 10 blocks or so we made it to the trolley which for a dollar twenty-five will take you all the way down to the corner of Canal and Bourbon St. before turning around. Here we hopped off and proceeded down this tourist attraction. From 8 to about 11:30 we walked all over!!! Everywhere! As Michael put it, “its a poor man's Vegas” Crazy people running rampant, some are naked, others are falling down drunk. Guys and girls alike, everyone is screaming and having a good time dancing, drinking, chatting, walking. It's a great atmosphere, only ruined by the bar rot smell that accompanies it.
We pretty much did walk up, down, through, behind, around, every street in the area, checking out various music, shop, bar, food, and tourist scenes. The humidity sure didn't stop, and neither did we as we made eye contact with various strangers, bumped into funny stories, and took pictures of the insane night life. We stopped in at a restaurant more so to get out of the humidity, and latch on to some water. Here we had some good New Orleans food, but stuck mostly to the water. Unfortunately it seemed like we were always running out of water but never any ice cubes. Relaxed a bit we sauntered back out onto the town, like two alley cats, ready for a happnin' time.
Around 11:30 we decided to head back to the hostel. Jumping back on the trolley we would roll into the neighborhood near midnight or so. After a few online sessions, with some of the slowest internet iv'e experienced in a while (spoiled) we hit the sack. It may not have been the best bed but hey, we'd take it. A mattress and pillow with sheets was good enough, especially with a slow stream of A/C blasting the room. We have 3 roommates at the moment, all British, but all separate. We were pretty much out when the light was flicked off.
Waking up early morning there was two of our roommates still sleeping, but it was curious but although not unexpected that the third never made it home that night. We would later see him passed out in the afternoon, apparently re-cooperating from a wild night. I'll fill you in later to our full day of New Orleans, but now we are about to get back on the trolley and head towards a cafe for some beignets and cafe au lait's. We'll get more done on the car ride to Atlanta tomorrow! Hope everyone is doing well. You're all in our thoughts, thanks for reading.
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