Sheila Heads South to Memphis

On a good note, Memphis is only an hour and half flying time from Chicago. The weather was very warm and the fares reasonable.

Then for the adventure: I had called ahead and asked the Tourism Information Center if taxis and public transport were readily available. I was quickly advised that hiring a car would be my best way to get around. It turned out that there were very few taxis around and I didn't see a bus or train anywhere. I learnt very quickly not to trust the Hertz Neverlost System in the rental car. It was constantly assisting in getting me lost. I had a reservation at the Heartbreak Hotel. The only hotel with that name listed in the Neverlost System was in Austin, Texas. Okay, so I did realize that I was probably headed in the wrong direction when I was following signs to Little Rock, Arkansas. At that point, I pulled over and decided to use a regular map to find the hotel. Much better idea. Every time I tried to use the Neverlost System it couldn't find a satellite, then when it did eventually pick up the satellite, it showed me on a totally different road than I was actually traveling on.

The Heartbreak Hotel was only about 10 minutes from the airport and close to Graceland. The hotel name is great, yet the place can only be described as a Motel 6 with a fancy lobby, a couple of photos of Elvis in the rooms, a nice looking heart shaped pool and staff who couldn't have been anymore rude if they tried. They had obviously never heard of service with a smile and as it turns out, were typical of the other service staff I encountered throughout Memphis. If you do wish to stay there, take your own hairdryer, or be prepared to have to take yourself down to the front desk and sign for the dryer you borrow. They do offer a continental breakfast in a room off the lobby. However, I wasn't too keen on the Styrofoam plates and plastic cutlery. The Continental breakfast consisted of Fruit Loops, white bread, donuts and coffee. It would be better to stay at a Motel 6 for less than half the price. At least then you know what you are getting and won't feel ripped off.

I am still trying to figure out where the saying, "Southern Hospitality" comes from. I certainly didn't see it in Memphis or New Orleans. Is Texas the only place it exists?

As check-in wasn't until 3pm at the hotel, (which I was rudely told by the front desk clerk), I headed to Graceland for 'The Tour.'  After picking up my tour pass, I was herded into a line to catch a shuttle bus to Graceland. Before boarding the bus, you are ushered to stand in front of the painting on the wall which shows the entrance way to Graceland. Here you have your photo taken which is just another thing to spend money on that day. The shuttle literally went across the street and let us off at the front door of the Kings palace. We had been geared up with a tape deck and earphones which were supposed to guide us through the tour. The tape did not play at the same speed as we toured Elvis's home. This was frustrating and obviously not well planned. Much of the home was out of bounds, so I was constantly thinking things like, 'I wonder what it looks like upstairs?' The guides stationed within this home, and the other Graceland attractions, seem to lack knowledge and hospitality skills. When asked a question, they generally suggested that you look up the answer in a brochure. After seeing Graceland, Elvis's planes and cars, you can then buy the photo that was taken at the beginning of the tour. $19.50 for two 5 x7 photos and the same photo in a key chain. I just couldn't help thinking that the hotel and Graceland really need to train their staff and get a decent marketing crew in. Elvis would be disgusted I would hope at what has been done with his memory.

I think that this is something that everyone should experience, just don't expect to be smiled at, and do expect to be ripped off at every turn.

Saturday night and it is off to Beale St. It is very much like a short version of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, without the strip clubs and porn shops. For the vegetarians like myself, I would like to suggest Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. A little too noisy for my liking and there were hostesses who were disorganized and very possibly constantly experiencing PMS. The wait staff were very pleasant which was a relief. There were veggie pasta dishes on the menu so I was happy. If the Girlposse had of been with me, we very possibly could have been up on stage dancing around and having some fun. Other places to eat  for the not so adventurous like myself, would be the Elvis Presley Cafe or TGIF.

Sunday and there were many sights to see. Well, so my guide book suggested. Sun Studio is listed as the place were Elvis began his career. Just make sure you pick up a coupon from the Graceland shuttle departure area or the Hotels for $2 off the admittance price for what is listed as a studio tour. For $8.50 (less $2 with coupon), you are taken into a room where a cocky spokesperson takes you on a journey for about 15 minutes. Basically, he plays some sound clips and talks a little about the history of Sun Studio and people like Elvis who began his career there.  Even at $6.50, many people in the group felt ripped off. The Sun Studio cafe however, is a cheap place to pick up a coffee and for $2.75 you can get a grilled Peanut Butter and banana sandwich and taste what is supposedly one of Elvis's fave' dishes.

Another place that would be enough to only see from the outside and save the $6 entrance fee, would be the Pink Palace Museum. This pace was once a magnificent home, and is now a museum of sorts. I have never seen such a bizarre museum. The circus recreation is a sight to behold. Very clever and detailed. You can also see the instruments (pocketknives) used to whittle wood, a fine collection of moths and butterflies, re-creations of dinosaurs, stuffed birds, a re-creation of the first Piggly Wiggly and other mish mashes of historical memorabilia. It was good for a laugh.

The Hunt Phelan Home would better be described as a museum. A home built in the 1800's full of antiques and all sorts of history from the  17 and 18 hundreds. There is a $10 entrance fee, but my mom loved this place, so it was worth it. Unfortunately, this place is not assisted a great deal by anybody, and may very well soon be a place that is no more, one day soon. Once again, this place needs marketing help. Look out for coupons for this tour also. You are guided through the home with another tape recorder and headphones. this time, the tape and I moved at the same pace.

For $11 you can take a ride on a paddle boat on the Mississippi River. This is a cruise worth taking and the captain gives a guided tour for an hour and half. A nice way to spend some time, seeing some sights and soaking up the sun. Check with the Tourism center for departure times as they do vary throughout the year. They do insist on taking your photo when you board the paddle boat. This one is only $5 for the 5x7.

Overall, I would say that it is a place to go to experience a different way of life. The city needs to clean up its act and learn how to treat tourists if they are to ever grow as a city and a place to go. I can see so much that needs to be done to market and improve the sights, but I don't know if the residents would even be interested in improving the quality of things there.

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