Nashville

Saturday 6th February was a free day at the Country Music museum, the only free day all year, so I went. For the few country stars I can name, it's really cool. Unfortunately I didn't know who they were talking about half the time and I am sure that a lot of the exhibits were wasted on me. I didn't enjoy the three walls they have of gold and platinum discs from various artists that recorded in the city. I also got to see a little bit of Dolly memorabilia which would have to suffice me as I couldn't go to Dollywood, it's closed for the winter. Attached to the museum is the country Hall of Fame, which is a bit of a let down. I hadn't had anything specific in mind but it was generally more than is there. It's just a round hall with brass plaques on the wall, it has the stars name and why they're in the hall. In fact the coolest thing about the museum is that it was built in the shape of a musical note. This was wasted on me as there is no where to see the museum from above and they don't even sell postcards of this view. Stupid.

I walked across the city to Bicentennial park, no mean feat as the rain had been replaced by a fierce wind and snow. Definitely a British winter. As the name suggests the park was built to celebrate Tennessee's two hundredth birthday. I spent the evening watching a hockey game, the locals weren't too happy, the Nashville Predators lost. Needless to say I was cheering for the visiting team, the San Jose Sharks. Not out loud, I was too afraid what the locals would do to me, especially as I was alone.

Yesterday was a bit of a nothing day. I walked into town, on the way I stopped at the Parthenon. The city built an exact replica of the Parthenon for their Centenary celebrations and everyone loved it so much that they rebuilt it with better materials so it would last. Just like the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.Went to the library, was seriously relieved that i had had finally had an offer of a place to stay in Memphis and one for Jackson, Mississippi, my stop after Memphis. Then returned to Jim's place. We settled down and watched the Superbowl. I was pleased when the Saints won, I had perceived them as the underdogs and so wanted them to win. It should make Mardi Gras interesting next week.