Memphis,The Blues and The King

On Wednesday we packed up and headed from Nashville to Memphis. The drive was quite nice, and the traffic wasn't too bad. We stopped at Casey Jones Train Museum and had a bit of a look around.

We arrived in Memphis early on the afternoon and went to Sun Studios. It is where Elvis was first recorded; Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and many others also recorded there too. It was really interesting and still operates as a recording studio. Then we headed to Beale Street for an early dinner. We had chicken wings and ribs and listened to this guy singing blues and playing guitar. It was really cool.

On New Years Eve we went to Graceland. We went on a tour of the mansion first. I found it very interesting. The place was left as it was when Elvis lived there. There was fabric on whe walls and ceiling in the pool room, and shag green carpet on the ceiling and walls in the living room. We also learned about the history of the mansion, and the life of Elvis. We really enjoyed our day. We particularly liked looking at all the Elvis' cars.

We also went to the Bass Pro Shop in Memphis. It was a massive pyramid building and even had a pond with fish, alligators and so many guns and cross bows. We went out to dinner and had cocktails and drinks in our hotel. A quiet New Years Eve for us and we have a long drive tomorrow.

Nashville and Country Music

On Monday we had breakfast and packed up to drive to Nashville. We stopped for fuel first and it took a bit of figuring out to determine how much fuel we needed as you had to pay first and it was in gallons. We made good time, but then we spotted a Nike outlet store. Soon after , and eight pairs of shoes later we were on the road again.

We drove through Chattanooga it was very hilly and pretty, but we didn't stop as it was pouring. We stopped at Starbucks for a bit to wait for the rain to die down as it was so heavy and then made it to our hotel in Nashville. 
On Tuesday we drove into downtown Nashville to go to The Country Music Hall of Fame. It was really interesting. I liked the old videos of musicians and kids dancing, they also had Elvis' Cadillac, and a Keith urban exhibit.

We had nachos for lunch and then made our way down Broadway where all the bars are. There were performers in all of them, even at 2pm. We went in and had a look at Coyote Ugly, where they had filmed scenes for the tv show. We walked to the court house and then stopped for coffee.

By then it had gotten dark so we went into a few bars on Broadway. The music was really great and had an awesome atmosphere. There was this old guy going from bar to bar dancing with these tap shoes on. There was a lot going on as there was a hockey game, a competition between college bands, and they were setting up for New Years.

Christmas in the South

Okay first of a couple more differences I have noticed; they call icing sugar, powdered sugar here and they don't have caster sugar here at all. This proved slightly challenging when making shortbread, but we figured it out.

We arrived in Atlanta on Christmas Eve after several delays. The cab arrived late at our hotel in New York, and then our flight was delayed, and then delayed again and then there was a ground stop in Atlanta because of weather so we were waiting in the plane on the tarmac, and then we eventually made it after a bumpy flight, and then we finally made it through Atlanta traffic (which was actually pretty light) on the wrong side of the road to our hotel. We were all ready for a good nights sleep.

My sister got up nice and early on Christmas morning in our hotel room and woke us all up. We then had tea and opened a few little presents under our sharpie-drawn tree.

Then we were off to spend the day with my host family. We went over there in our jammies and had mimosa's, before having breakfast, opening presents, and then a little while later we had ham for lunch. There were also plenty of sweets too! We had a really lovely time and were very spoiled!

On Boxing Day we went to have brunch with my other host family. We had mimosa's, eggs, sausage and muffins, and it was good to catch up with everyone. We also caught up with my other host family in the afternoon. Everyone was excited to meet everyone!

On Sunday we got up and had breakky and then drove to Georgia Gwinnett College so I could show everyone around. We went to Walmart too, and then The Mall of Georgia to get our shopping fix.

Then we drove into Atlanta to The World of Coca Cola, it was interesting to learn some of the history, watch the bottling process and then tasted all these different Coke varieties from around the world. We ended the day with a meal at The Varsity which was both gross and delicious. The traffic was heavy- no surprises there, for our drive back to the hotel to pack up our gear ready to move on to the next place in the morning.

New York, New York

Last Saturday I flew to New York to meet up with my family. The flight was not very exciting, but there was a little dog travelling in the seat in front of me! I got a cab to the hotel and found it strange that I hadn't heard from them seeing as how they were supposed to arrive before me. Turned out the worst had happened-no Wi-Fi! Anyway, after that and some reuniting we went for a walk around Times Square. It was so busy and the streets were very packed!

The next morning we got up early so we could fit the most into the day. We walked through Times Square to Bryant Park where there were these little markets and a huge Christmas Tree overlooking an ice skating rink. We then made our way to Grand Central Station to have a look, it was incredible inside. We could picture where all the scenes were from all those movies!

We also walked to The Chrysler Building and Saint Patrick's Cathedral- the largest Catholic cathedral

in America. We were able to have a look inside, even though there was a service going on. We had a look at the Christmas display in the window of Saks on 5th Ave and then walked past Trump Tower, where there were all sorts of protesters, before going into Tiffany & Co. I had a bit of a look, and my Mum and Sister bought things. It was quite cold by then, but we went for a walk through Central Park anyway. Again we could picture it just like we had seen in the movies.

On Monday we got up even earlier and got the subway to Lower Manhattan to see The Statue of Liberty. We had to go through so much security before boarding and then it was only a short ride over. I found the history of it very interesting. The thickness of the statue is that of a coin! We climbed to the top of the pedestal and had a very good view. We also got the ferry to Ellis Island, and learned a bit about new immigrants to America, this is no longer in use. While we were  in that part of town we went to the 9/11 memorial, it was quite unusual but was a place of reflection.

The next day we went up to The Empire State Building. The view from the top was really incredible, and they had a bit of a museum on the way up. We went 86 floors up, it was a bit foggy, but you could see as the fog moved. From there we walked to Macy's and had a look at the Christmas display for the Peanuts Movie, but we liked the decorations they had inside better. My Mum and Sister also bought handbags!

We were starving by then and got a bite for lunch before walking to Maddison Square Park,which had a really nice Christmas tree and a gingerbread village, the Flatiron building which I found very fascinating, and Little Eatily.

On our Last day in New York we caught the subway from Grand Central Station to the Brooklyn Bridge. It was raining, so we walked over it all huddled under umbrellas. After that we got the subway back and stopped at a place called Burger Heaven for lunch before going to the Museum of Modern Art. There was some cool art there including Starry Starry Night by VanGough, which I recognised from Doctor Who! There was also a Picasso sculpture display, as well as work by Monet and Pollock.

We then made our way to the Rockefeller Center go  to The Top of the Rock. They warned us there would be zero visibility, but it was our only chance. It was windy and rainy up the top, but you could see as the fog moved. It was difficult to time photos though. We went to M&M's World after that, which we couldn't believe existed, before having Dallas BBQ for dinner. That was a really huge meal which we shared.

We managed to fit in most of what we wanted to, and we all would like to go back, but just to visit. New York is just a bit too noisy for us quiet little Aussies!

A Light Show and a Christmas Party

Okay a few more strange things I have noticed; a jumper is not a jumper here, they don't know what that is at all, just sweatshirts. Also, I have never seen so many people wearing those 'sport' sandals and cargo shorts or pants before in my life!

Last Wednesday night I was invited to dinner and to the light show at the Atlanta Botanic Gardens. We had really great pizza for dinner and then burned it all off walking through the gardens. They light up the whole gardens so it is really pretty. I found it funny that the volunteers wore almost the same uniform my Nanna wears back home at Kings Park.

Then on Thursday night the three GRSP girls at GGC went to the Duluth Rotary Club Christmas party. There was entertainment by some musicians from  the local high school and then we had a really tasty meal and of course dessert! We had a lovely time.

School is done for the semester, so now I am staying with my host family until I fly to New York to meet up with my family. Not long now! I found this nice little place near where I am staying. There is a lake and a dam, and on the other side of it is this nice little creek with lots of rocks. It is great to climb around and to look at.

Last Saturday we went to Little Five Points in Atlanta and wondered around the little shops and thrift stores. I saw many ugly Christmas sweaters. We then went to this place called The Vortex which 'has the best burgers in town', and I must say they were really good. The place itself was very cool, you have to be 21 one to get in and the entrance is a giant skull. They have a huge book with all the drinks they have, and they even have a burger that costs $80; it's called a quadruple bypass! I opted for a regular sized burger. The interior is decorated with skeletons, road signs and other cool stuff. It was a cool place and I'd like to go back.

On the same day back home my family had a Christmas party and they made a cardboard cut out of me! I kept getting pictures of all their friends posing with me!


Yesterday I went to the graduation for my host brother. The ceremony was nice and didn't drag out too long. Then we all went to this Mexican place for lunch which was really good, and then a few of us managed to get tickets to Star Wars:The Force Awakens. It was by chance that we happened to get tickets on the first showing and I enjoyed the movie. I don't want to be that person that gives away spoilers, but stuff happens...

A Christmas Party and a Parade

Earlier this week I went to the Duluth Rotary Club meeting which was held at the Salvation Army in Lawrenceville. I found it really interesting to learn about what they do and who they help. They have many youth programs, and help people get back on their feet.

On Friday night the four of us GRSP kids at GGC went to a Christmas party with another Rotary club. We had a really great time. We had yummy steaks for dinner, and of course there was pie. The entertainment for the evening was an A Capella group from the University of Georgia called The Accidentals. They were very good, worth checking them out.

Then On Saurday morning we went to a bell ringing for the Salvation Army outside a local grocery store. I'm not sure how much help we actually provided, but we got to have a chat to members of the community.

In the afternoon we went to a Christmas parade. This time we got to ride on the back of a fire truck! That made it very exciting and provided a great view to see the town. We had a great time.