Liberty Statues to Golden Bridges

Sevilla hasta pronto

2007-07-24T19:43:35Z

This is my last night in Seville. I have actually stayed an additional 2 days longer than planned. I have visited the bull ring. Drunk 30 year old sherry. Ate ox steak - really good. Seen many flamenco shows and great guitarists. A great city for nightlife and above all it is the people that make it great. My favourite city in Spain. This blog is now coming to and end I will back in sunny (not) UK on Monday. Going back to Catalonia for a few days before flying back on Monday. All photos of USA and Espana will be updated shortly!

Sevilla hasta pronto remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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More Tapas cold sherry & old port

2007-07-21T09:57:41Z

Went to mthe cathedral yesterday and it is truly massive. In the night had tapas, cold sherry and old port that was as smooth as water! On tourist bus today!

More Tapas cold sherry & old port remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Sevilla

2007-07-20T09:58:19Z

From Granada I arrived in Seville yesterday. Hotel is great very central - right next to Cathedral. It actually used to be a 18 th century mansion. It has its own indoor square with a fountain in the middel and my room overlooks this. Visited the Alcazar yesterday for more palaces and gardens. Walked around Sevilla taking more photos. Then went into an amazing 19 th century mansion house that is now at hotel for a glass of 20 year old port. Truly the drink of the gods! With my pallate truly wetted and the sight of a familar logo, I then poped into an Irish bar for a Guiness. In there I met Paco or Frank in English. A very interesting chap. A retired gentleman, half Australian & half Spanish. He politely corrected me on some of my poor Spanish as I thanked him and bought him a drink. As we chatted, in my broken Spanish and his very good English, he told me about his work life. It turns out he used to arrange tours for professional football teams all over the world. He had some very interesting stories, about his time at various MAJOR football clubs in the UK and across Europe. After 30 years plus of doing this and 20 years in Australia working in football, he has come home to Sevilla to retire with his wife. A very interesting guy, but humble with it. I thanked him for the chat and offered him another beer, but he stated that his wife would not be best pleased! I wished him well and said I might seem him again in this bar whilst still in Sevilla. Then went back to the Hotel for 20 mins to get hold of my map of Sevilla - and essential for any tourist at all times noting the small size of the roads. One can twist and turn from left to right and not realise that they are only 5 minutes away from their destination. As per my attempt to get to a recommended falmenco bar. I asked about 6 locals and the police for directions, just for the road, after several bemused glances, incorrect directions and failed attempts on my part, I finally opted for the easy option and jumped in a cab. The cab was 2 minutes. As I walked into the flamenco bar I could here the strains of the haunting vocals and the fluid notes of the guitar and was hooked. As I stood at the bar, on stage was a senoritta stomping to the rythyms of the guitar. The beer was cheap and the welcome friendly. The show amazing and my Spanish still poor! All in all a great first night in Sevilla. Today I go on the tourist bus and to the Cathedral - the second largest chuirch after St Peters in Rome and where the tomb of Christopher Columbus lies. It is said that the builders on the Cathedral in Seville said ´let us build a Church so grand that future peoples will thin us mad´. Well the sheer scale, even from the outside, means that I may be in the Cathedral today for some time! Tonight more tapas bars. Still have 3 days in Sevilla and later today may try and buy and advance ticket for the Torreos (bullfight) on Sunday night at 7.00. Well hasta luego!

Sevilla remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Alhambra

2007-07-20T09:35:47Z

I visited the Alhambra and words are insuffcient to describe its beauty. From the perfectly aligned trees eitherside of the pathway welcoming you, to the overlook of the palaces from the Generalife gardens on your way out, your jaw is continously on the floor. Once visited you will long to go back. There are Muslim palaces, wide open patios with 20 ft fountains, roses 5 feet tall, Christian castles, view of the Serra Nevada. 4 hours I spent there and that was not enough. Many people have tried to describe Alhambra but I will leave the photos to speak for themselves when I get home.

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Eat for free in Granada

2007-07-20T09:28:10Z

Went straight out around Granada. Saw the amazing Cathedral with photos to follow. Also saw the royal palaces where King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella are buried. It is an amazing mix of Arabic, Christian and Jewish heritage across the whole of Granada. In the afternoon had Egyptian tea in one of the many Arabic tea houses. Where you can also smoke fruit tobacco throught one of the Arabic pipes if you choose. One can also walk around the town and stop every two minutes to take photos as there is something special on every corner. In the evening I went to some of the bars. I ordered one beer and the person at the bar said ´no I give you free food´. Needless to say, this was a great night with my first taste of the true tapas tradition.

Eat for free in Granada remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Sheiks, rattles and rolls

2007-07-20T09:20:42Z

Well arrived at Valencia station at 12.30 in the morning for the 00.51 to Granada. Boarded the train and then found my compartment. It consisted of 2 bunkbeds so I opted for the lower one. My fellow travllers were all Spanish so I decided not to use my bad Spanish. Anyway all the rest of them wanted to do was sleep. So I sorted my bags out, set my alarm for 08.00 and then decided to sleep on my bed as the train pulled out for Valencia. Interestingly, they have straps on the bed that you can use to strap yourself to the bed, should you have the misfortune of rolling out as the train rattles along. I must say this only happened once, to some embarrassment to me and much anoyance to my co travellers. Deciding to strap myself to the bed, I had thoughts that I may have dreams about being on the back of an ambulance rushed to hospital. Not that I have suffered this experience, but this scenario must be the closest thing to it. As I drifted in and out of sleep, I could here the rattle of the train against the track, the gaseous releases from the guy in the bed above me and the pig-like snoring of the guy in the bunk bed opposite. Needless to say, not much sleep was had. I woke at 07.30 washed and went to the cafeteria coach on the train. The young girl apologised profusely for the broken coffee machine as I opted for juice and a stale roll. Finally arriving at Granada on time I caught my first glimpse of this historic town. With the famous Alhambra palaces in the distance thoughts of Arab Sheiks and Catholic kings came to mind. I coudn´t wait to get to know this city.

Sheiks, rattles and rolls remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Agua de Valencia

2007-07-20T09:04:12Z

Just a note on my final night in Valencia I had what the locals call agua de Valencia. Basically it is orange juice, spices, champagne & vodka. Very nice indeed!

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I am not a celebrity and I can´t get out of here !

2007-07-16T15:40:42Z

Stayed another night in Valencia last night and had huevas con sepia to eat - basically cuttlefish eggs. It can only be described as something I will not choose to eat in future. Unfortunately, unlike the above mentioned TV, show I was not able to spit it out as the waiter was standing next to me short of washing down with beer, it will quite probably be one of the memories I will actively choose to forget about my travels. Still hot it is 5.30 pm here & my train to Granada is not until 00.51 arriving at 08.40 tomorrow. So just walking around Valencia before going back to Hotel for some kip in next 30 mins before getting up again about 00.00 for the train stattion just across the road. More from the Alhambra, Granada tomorrow & then the big one Seville for 4 nights starting Thurs!! Hasta luego

I am not a celebrity and I can´t get out of here ! remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Granada es no manana

2007-07-15T13:02:08Z

Just went to Valencia train station to book my trip to Granada just to find out there are no trains until Tuesday morning. Oh well means another night in Valencia & now only one night in Granada as then onto Seville & then back to Catalunia. Looking forward ´not´ to the 8 hour train journey on Tues morning at 00.51 arriving at 8.40 at Granada. At least you get a bed on the Trenhotel also and a separate cabin so should be fun. As soon as I get off I am going straight to the Alhambra as only in Granada one night & in Seville for 4 nights after before going back to Catalonia. Oh well hasta leugo and more from my overnight accomodation on a train and from Granada to follow shortly!

Granada es no manana remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Valencia & bashing the bongos

2007-07-14T17:54:10Z

Arrived in Valencia yesterday from Tortosa. An altogether more exiciting propsect. Hotel is just next to the modernista El Norde station and the colleseum like bull ring. City is easy to walk around and has stunning castles & museums. Also has a great nightlife. Walked around a few bars & then ended up in a bar called Johnny Maracas. It is a great bar where all of the best looking women go to dance to nothing but salsa tunes spun by the DJ. Now this sort of music is not normally my scene but with all ages, shapes & sizes, of varying degrees of drunkeness, swaying to the latin beats the music eventually gets you. What gets you going also is the maracas & bongos that they had out to people to have a go on and all of the bar staff play along to the music behind the bar! I also tried out my broken Spanish on some senoritas to a not altogether negative audience. Although by the end of the night I only had the set of bongos for company. In fact I wouldn´t be suprised if I was barred as I was banging the bongos in the bar all night to the rythyms of the music. But so were many of the other patrons of the bar. Seriously though had a great night, made a few friends & probably back there tonight. Although at first sight of me they will probably say hide the bongos that nutters back! Still another day & night in Valencia for tomorrow. I have visited the ciudad de las artes y las ciencias - an amazing building complex. I have some great photos of this totally modern building & will probably go back there again tomorrow. Monday in Alicante. Further postings to follow. Hasta leugo!

Valencia & bashing the bongos remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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The City that always sleeps

2007-07-14T17:39:57Z

Just stayed 3 days in Tortosa on my way to Valencia. It is a beautiful city on the Delta Ebre. But I use the term city loosely. It is more a quite town as there was about one restaurant - of which when I entered one night at 9.30 it appeared just the owner & his family were the only patrons as they looked at me curiously as they tucked into their meal. Needless to say that I turned heel & tried to find somewhere else to fulfill my steadiliy increasing hunger. The only place that I could find was a place that served nothing but ´bocadillos´ basically baguettes with a choice of fillings. The service was good, but it was funny by the fact there was a full menu for what is essentially just a sandwich. Well ended up in an Irish bar for the three nights there. Curiously the Irish bar was the busiest bar in all of the town with 6 people in. That number also includes myself, the owner & the owners wife! Ended up drinking Guiness & watching horse showjumping on T.V. from Ireland. Oh well thats all part of travelling

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Absenta - not for the faint hearted!

2007-07-05T09:42:35Z

Visited the Nou Camp yesterday and had photo taken with Ronaldinho on the pitch - or at least his cardboard cut out - I know sad! Also visited Sagrada Famillia, Parc Guell and other famous Barcelona sights. Went to Monjuic cable car ride to take photos of the whole of Barcelona city skyline only for a rainstorm to happen halfway up in the cable car - oh well not very good photo! In the evening, after stepping over many drunks on a backstreet of Barca got to one of the oldest bars in Barcelona - Bar Marsella - going from 1820. The decor inside proves its age as it looks like it has been untouched since then. And certainly not cleaned since then! Domesticies out of the way, the drink that they are famous for is abysinthe or absenta in Spanish. It is a sort of anaseed spirit. They serve you the drink with a small fork, a sugar cube and a small bottle of water. The local practice is then to balance the fork over the glass, place the sugar cube on the fork and then pour some water slowly over the cube until it melts into the glass. What difference this actually makes to the taste is probably miniscule but it changes the drink from a clear straw colour to a grapefruit looking yellow. It is suggested that this drink is mildly narcotic - certainly after one or two of these it is much more difficult to balance the fork over the glass - let alone yourself on the barstool! Still getting by with my broken Spanish & meeting loads of people. One thing that you notice about Barcelona that not even the Spanish speak Spanish - they all speak English. One woman at a cafe actually thanked me for speaking Spanish she says that no tourists bother in Barca. Barcelona is a great city, it never closes & it is hard to fit all of it in in the four days I have been here but it has been fun trying. Off to Valencia tomorrow which should be another good trip. Hasta luego for now!

Absenta - not for the faint hearted! remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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An Octopus, ladies of the night & whos Charlie?

2007-06-30T10:53:52Z

Well the travels have started again. I am now in Barcelona, got there yesterday afternoon. My hotel is right in the middle of everything. Weather is very hot. I have got the 2 day jump on & off tour bus araound the city. Going to the Nou Camp this afternoon & Gaudi´s Parc Guell. Went out on the town last night. Had authentic tapas, catalan meatballs, fried squid & grilled Octopus - was actually nice. Then walked around some of Las Ramblas went to some of the bars. Got propositioned by ladies of the night - of which I told them where to go. And does anyone know why some of the dodgy characters on the street keep calling me ´Charlie´? When they say want some Charlie? Want some what and my names not Charlie! (PS before anyone mails me I know what Charlie is!) Well back on the tour bus now to Camp Nou for Barcelona FC stadium. Hasta luego y adios!

An Octopus, ladies of the night & whos Charlie? remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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En Espana y es muy calliente!

2007-06-04T12:14:38Z

Another week, another city. I am now in Espana. Yesterday not very interesting day, but relaxing on beach & deciding which place to eat in the evening. Will have to go to the main tourist resort to watch England crush Estonia (I wish!) on Wednesday. It is hot here & my Spanish is getting me by - so far! However, I do not start my real travelling until 24 Junio then off to Barcelona, then Pamplona for San Fermin or ´The Running of The Bulls´ (remember the start of City Slickers!). Then to Zaragoza, Madrid, Cordoba, Seville por flamenco. Enough of mi muy malo Espanol! Hasta luego y will update soon after I am done chilling in South Catalunia the real travels will begin in Spain after June 24th more updates to follow then!

En Espana y es muy calliente! remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Bridge & more good music!

2007-05-25T09:23:00Z

O.k perhaps I shouldn't have finshed it there! Went to the Golden Gate Bridge this morning- as in Vegas three words but - cold, cold,cold! Just got on bridge before fog came down. Laughed at some of the tourists that were wearing just T-shirts & shorts freezing lord knows what off! Great photos though! Then went to Chinatown for a great meal - eyes bigger than belly or maybe not now!! Then went around to town & went to the crookedest (if there is such a word!) place in the world - Lombard Street. Just put it this way - the only way to drive is in first gear - photos to follow! Finished the USA in bar in Columbus Street listening to a great guy playing Ray Charles music & doing vocals - a great way to finish my USA tour! Just 11.5 hours on a plane tomorrow - should be fun !! Oh well, will get some much needed sleep before I go to Espana on Friday! Hard life - I know! Photos of USA & updates to follow in next few days when I download on my laptop back in UK!!

Bridge & more good music! remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Smell the Haight man!

2007-05-24T18:08:14Z

Saw Liverpool lose yesterday. Then took a cab to the famous hippy hang out street - Haight Street. Walked past famous Boom Boom Room blues club & the Fillmore music venue. Then walked onto Haight Street - canabis is legal in this area of San Fransisco & they have 'coffee houses'. How do you know you are on Haight Street? Well, a non tobacco smell gets stronger the closer you get to the Street - I will leave you to guess what I am on about! The street had some weird & wonderful shops & so were the people - some of which looked like they were still trying to come down from some 60s trip! Houses around this area are stunning & probably worth a bit also! Then went out again around the North Beach area & ended up playing guitar again outside a bar & went down really well! Even though I had had a few 'beverages' by then! Going to Chinatown & the Golden Gate Bridge today. My journey is almost over - I have just the rest of today - it is 11.00 am here &then fly out tomorrow at 4.30 pm USA time back to the UK to arrive Saturday 10.30 AM uk time. I have gone from Metropolises & Liberty Islands, to the sultry sounds of Tennesee & the Crossroads in the Delta, to the heat & excitement of the Canyons of the Midwest & Vegas, to the laid back & easy livin of the West Coast. Finally reaching the Golden Bridges today. What a journey!!! PS Photos will be downloaded when I arrive back in UK!!!!! So still view this site in the next few days!!!! Also, my Spanish travels begin in a week from now! Look for more postings from Espana!!

Smell the Haight man! remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Getting off Alcatraz!

2007-05-23T20:10:25Z

Had good first night in San Fransisco - found a bar that does all types of liquer coffees - called Buena Vista - stayed there pretty much of the night. Then went to an irish bar that had live music & met some girls from Texas. Then yesterday, went to Alcatraz- the trip is only 5 mins from the bay as it is only 1 mile & a half from the bay. Got splashed on the ferry trying to take some good photos. Alcatraz Island was amazing - saw Al Capones cell & some amazing stories there. The one thing that also strikes you is the tremendous views you get looking back at the Bay from the Island. In fact, on the audio tour - one of the former inmates said it was so frustrating for them went they went out for their daily walks to see the whole of San Fransisco Bay everyday - so near but so far. The views are that good that you have to force yourself to go back on the boat. Went out again in the evening - had a fried shrimp & lobster bucket at Bubba Gumps Resturant - it is all based on the Forest Gump movie & food is excellent. Then went up to North Beach - not actually a beach, but a district! Some great bars there for live music. Going to the Golden Gate today & the John Lee Hooker blues club - Boom Boom Room & to the world famous Filmore & out on town again tonight. As a side note, the one thing that tells you are in California is that everyone you talk to is either a musician or making a film or a scriptriter - even the cabbies! More updates to follow!

Getting off Alcatraz! remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Comedy, into the Stratosphere & down by the Bay

2007-05-21T22:25:04Z

Enjoyed last night in Vegas with 2 shows that were really good. One was a comedian & the other show was then at a different Hotel & was magic/acrobatics. Finished my last night in Vegas with a beer onto of the world famous Stratosphere. And then put it all on red on the roullette table (well actually only $20 but it came up so I got my bet & another $20 back so I was happy!) Got flight to San Fransisco today - only took an hour & half. Temperature a lot more agreeable 70 F! So I am able to walk around! Hotel is nice. The first thing that hits you about San Fransisco - even on the taxi ride from the airport, is how beautiful the town is! Oh well only 3.00 pm Monday here & I do not fly out until Friday to the UK so with Map in hand I am going to explore Fishermans Wharf & the Bay area & then out on the town later! More updates to follow - know this one is not that interesting, but give me a chance I've only just checked in! More updates from 'The Bay' to follow!

Comedy, into the Stratosphere & down by the Bay remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Real ale, fish & chips & ques - in Vegas!?

2007-05-19T21:37:26Z

Went around town doing a day tour of the hotels yesterday. Some I will never stay in for lack of funds - but took photos of such as BeLLAGIO. Went into a real pub where I was had real ale for the first time since New York and real proper fish & chips - served by a guy from New York originally - called Rich. The food was good & reminded me of back home. Then went onto a few other hotels. Then went back to the hotels in the evening tried to get into the Pussycat Dolls Lounge Nightclub but the que was too long. So went to Rios for a beer. I got to thinking, with the real ale, the fish & chips and the ques it was like being back at home in the UK! Apart from the hot women & the hot weather! Might go and see a comedy show later tonight & then on to a club again later. More updates to follow!

Real ale, fish & chips & ques - in Vegas!? remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Wow & wow!

2007-05-18T17:48:53Z

Went to the Grand Canyon yesterday. One word - wow! That is the word that all of us said on the helicopter when we swooped onto the start of the west rim yesterday. 5 of us that were staying at the hotel were picked up at 6.45 am in an airconditioned 4x4 with tinted windows. We went through the 'DRY' county (no liquor) of Boulder County - the cleanest place I've seen in the world - probably because no one drinks! Then we were taken to the Hoover Dam - an amazing piece of engineering - no mater how many timnes you look at it you cannot get your head around how something so big was bulit into sheer rock. Then we were taken into the dessert further. Eventually we came across the Grand Canyon Ranch on the West Rim of the Canyon. This is a working ranch with real cowboys & horses. It has accomodation for people to stay in comprising of ranch houses & indian teepee replicas. A gun fight was reinacted for us. Then we were taken by horse drawn wagon to the heliport site about 5 mins away. We all loaded onto the helicopter & we traveled across the flat Mohave dessert. In fact - i intially thought this is a little flat for the Grand Canyon. The pilot was friendly enough & he was playing the theme from the Superman movies on his tape player - but it could have done with fixing as it kept getting chewed up in his player! Anyhow, as I thought, this was a little flat for the actual Canyon, then the pilot said to all of us 'Are you ready for the Grand Canyon folks?' Well, a second after this we came across the Canyon itself - everyone let out an almost simultaneous 'Wow' over their headphones. An amazing vista opens up both in terms of distance & depth. No photos can portray the overwhelming beauty & magnitude of the canyon. It is truly only something that can be experienced. We had no wind & a clear view right across so the pictures that I got were good but nothing compared to experiencing it for yourself. It is not something that you can really put into words and I am still trying to come down from the experience now! After the helicopter flight, we were given bbq chicken & beans back at the ranch - where we were given songs by the cowboys & the history of the ranch. Turns out the ranch was originally owned by a family, that then sold it to a bank robber who had dealings with Buth Cassidy & Sundance Kid. Apparently, the govenment thought the bank robber owner was dead as they mistakely thought that they had shot him in Colorado so he was able to get away with robbing for years later as officially he was dead! Anyway, then went onto the Joshua Tree Forrest - the trees give no shade & have absolutely no monetary value - but they look nice! Then back via Hoover Dam for more pictures. Then back to hotel at 4.30 pm, then meal, then out on town to Ghost Bar on 55th floor of the Palms Casino last night. More partying to happen - will be going to a few shows today & partying later on at more clubs - about time to wear that shirt done by Elvis's tailor that I bought in Memphis! - more updates to come from Vegas as I will not be in San Fran until Monday and it is only 10.40 am Friday local time now. Well out & about looking at the hotels & going to a couple of afternoon shows today. Still hot, hot, hot. Lucky its only 65f in San Fran now as I will need to get acclimatised for going back to UK in a weeks time! More updates from Vegas to follow tomorrow!

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No money in Vegas & Hot, Hot, Hot

2007-05-16T04:45:17Z

Arrived in Vegas from Memphis 2 days ago. The first evening didn't go well as my bank put a hold on my ATM card as they wanted to know who was using it in Vegas. However, after a quick ID check they reactivated it so now all is o.k. It did mean that my first night in Vegas was spent in my hotel room though chomping on Nachos & drinking chocolate milk - not very exciting start. I was out walking the Las Vegas Boulevard yesterday- not a good idea at 1.30 in the afternoon as 3 wors for Vegas HOT, HOT , HOT. Even when there is a breeze it is a hot breeze so it constantly feels like you are walking in front of a hairdryer. Stopped off at a few of the casinos on the way - not to gamble just to have a look inside. Saw 'The Big Elvis' in the lounge at the Imperial & went into the Sahara & the Venetian & saw the gondelers! Got some great photos - but also got mild sunstroke, well not that bad, but you don't notice the heat until how it affects you later. Luckily did not get burnt. Vegas is a funny town & you realise quickly that one of the reasons that it is a 24 hour town is that it is too damn hot to do anything in the daytime so all the Hotels/casinos & alot of the clubs have to be open 24 hours in order to make money. Also you notice very quickly two distinct types of people in Vegas, the gambler - who never smiles, is perhaps a chain smoker & the last time they look like they went outside was 1972. The other type of person (of which I'd like to put myself in this category) is the type that is severely or mildly sunburnt, always smiling and always getting lost in the magnitude of their own hotel. Anyway have a great time and an early night tonigh (Tues night) USA time as I am off to the Grand Canyon at 6.45 tomorrow morning. The trip involves vip airconditioned, tinted 4x4 van to take you direct from your Hotel IN vEGAS TO THE HELIPORT, WHERE you fly to Grand Canyon & take in the Hoover Dam, land on the base, taken by horsedrawn wagon to a ranch to have a champagne lunch, then waLK ABOUT A BIT, THEN SCENIC flight on the helicopter again through & in the canyon & back to vegas hotel door for 4.30 pm. I will be takin 2 sun hats, sun factor 50 & 3 litres of water & my camera fully charged up! Should be a great trip & as I don't hit San Fransisco until next Monday 21st, I still have loads of time to party in Vegas for the rest of the week. More updates to follow from Vegas !!!!!!

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The Delta Blues

2007-05-12T17:40:21Z

It is with a sad heart that I travel away from Clarksdale to Memphis for one night at the airport hotel there tonight. Last night was at Reds Lounge in Clarksdale - one of the few remaining juke joints in the south - the atmosphere was electric with musicians getting up to jam all night. Also today there are amazing blues musicians on the street as there is a music festival. I don't want to leave here so I suppose I've got the Delta Blues! Still meeting amazing people. Well, on the Greyhound back up for the 1 hour & half trip back up to Memphis - where I will be staying at the airport hotel before an early morning flight out to Vegas tomorrow. So it is with much love I say goodbye to the South. Now Vegas, Grand Canyon & San Fransisco to come! Updates to follow!

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In the Delta

2007-05-11T21:43:06Z

Finally managed to find somewhere to update blog. Arrived in Clarksdale Mississipi a few days ago. Arrived from Memphis to the bus station & then got a cab where the windscreen was cracked right across- luckliy the ride was only 2 miles. Arrived at ground zero blues club. Saw 2 bands on first night and had fried green tomatoes - very good. Second night sat out on the porch whilst there was a storm & played slide on my stella guitar & people were coming out to listen. Also played and sang on the open mic night & it went down well. Went to the crossroads & sold my soul - by having a beef bbq sandwich at Abes across the road. Also still meeting up with amazing people - met Pinetop Perkins today & got my photo with him. I am now staying at the Riverside Hotel - where Bessie Smith passed away, I am statying in the John Lee Hooker room - where he used to stay quite often- with original 1940s furniture. The rooms are clean and the owner - known as Rat just loves having people come in the walkway at day just so he can show them around & he is really friendly to everyone. I also visted Reds Lounge around the corner - a real juke joint. I have one more night in Clarksdale - I am seing a real blues band tonight at ground zero blues club & the riverside hotel (where I am now statying is just across thje road). Then back to Memphis airport tomorrow, but my bus from Clarksdale isn't until 4 so I can have a drink & Rat said that I could have the room until 12 & he will drive me to Clarksdale bus station tomorrow, so I can get the bus back to Memphis & then just one night at Memphis Airport hotel & then on with Vegas, Grand Canyon & San FrANSISCO still all to come! Updates to follow!

In the Delta remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Met the King & His Tailor & Then the FBI!

2007-05-09T14:16:03Z

Went to Graceland yesterday - a great tour - anyone who likes rock & roll & all types of popular music should do this tour it is excellent. It was a moving experience standing at Elvis's graveside. I then went on to a local hotel to see the world famous ducks - I will save the surpise for the photos! Then I went to Elvis's tailor in the 50s & 60s - got my photo taken with him (now in his 80s) in the store behind a photo of him & Elvis in the 50s. Also bought a great shirt from there - 2 ply 100% cotton white with a blue pattern just on the front & pleated running down- that should be great for Vegas - and a better souvenir than just a postcard! I was out on Beale again last night & had a great time again - bought some CDs of some of the bands & a T-shirt & all of them were signed. Also met in BBKings 2 girls from Chicago from the Office of Alcohol, Firearms & Tobacco - I joked with them that they seemed to be having a good time on federal expenses ----- they joked as they carried guns in their day jobs, that they would walk out of the club first and then take me down on the sidewalk! But really had a good time at BBKings and the girls from Chicago recommended the fried green tomatoes in Clarksdale - where I am catching the greyhound to in 2 hours for some Delta blues. Along with my case & bag, I am taking the guitar that I bought on Beale Street with me for open mic spot tomorrow night where I am staying! Well hopefully, they will not ask me to check out earlier than I was going to - like a day earlier! Should be a great experience! More updates to follow!

Met the King & His Tailor & Then the FBI! remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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The Mayor Of Memphis

2007-05-08T17:50:33Z

Had a great couple of days & nights agin in Memphis. Met a great couple from Boston the other night. Also met people from Chicago & met Rudy Williams 'The Mayor of Memphis' - the oldest street musician on Beale Street - he had some amazing stories and used to play trumpet with Louis Armstrong also the cab driver driving back to the Hotel picked up Sam Phillips one time a few years ago. This place can get addictive if you like the music - you walk down Beale Street where the sounds of early rock & roll & blues spill out onto the street from the open windows of the bars, the music can become a drug, where the musicians play for money but also play for the love of the music. Off the Graceland now & then to take pictures of the Mississipi & then one more night in Memphis & then heading down to the Delta to Clarksdale for a few nights.

The Mayor Of Memphis remains copyright of the author pauly7334, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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