Postcards
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Postcards
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| postcard #2 |
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The world has descended upon Memphis, Tennessee, and we are among them. Elvis is everywhere, and people around the world are taking a moment to remember the King. In Japan, the public television system is broadcasting an Elvis movie ever night this week. Every day, I get an e-mail from some part of the world, discussing or poking fun of the King of Rock and Roll.
USA Today reported this morning record numbers of fans have begun to pour in from all corners of the world. That was evident only hours after departing from Atlanta in the Lisa Marie. Stopping at an Alabama rest stop, we encountered a mini-van obviously headed to Graceland. Photos of Elvis were plastered in every window, and the driver had pork chop sideburns and large, chunky gold sun glasses. But what really gave it away was the gold lamé cape hanging out the side door, flapping in the breeze as they drove away. We stopped in Birmingham, Alabama, for dinner in the Five Points neighborhood--the first street car suburb of Birmingham, which is now a quaint shopping, dining and entertainment district near the University of Alabama. After dinner, we of course had to stop and visit the Vulcan, a giant statue that overlooks the city from atop a hill, and represents the city's steel industry. From Birmingham, it was on to Memphis, where our 2:00 a.m. local time arrival found a sold-out Elvis, er, Embassy Suites. The only room left: the Presidential Suite. Although, at least for this weekend, it should be the King's Suite, because it's truly fit for the King. Big living/dining room area, two bedrooms, two baths (with Kleenex Cottonelle Bathroom Tissue), and a GIANT silk and plastic centerpiece on the dinning room table. While the King will probably never stay here, we might bring a piece of this suite--an offering, so to speak, to leave beside Elvis' grave. I don't think anyone will miss the silk and plastic centerpiece. Because of our late arrival, we skipped out on the morning meditation period graveside at Graceland. Today we'll see the Titanic exhibition, have lunch at Java Cabana (an Elvis-themed coffeehouse), visit Mud Island for the Mississippi River Museum, see the Peabody Ducks, and we'll dance the night away at the International Elvis Dance Party featuring bands from around the world playing Elvis music.
Elvis forever,
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