Hey All
just want to update those on my Southern US trip.
heres how it was --short version.
2weeks with my mom and survived that pretty well. Went to KY
AL
KY-Caving in Mammouth caves KY stayed in Cave City. (only caught in one bad
storm with hail)
TN-Chattanooga (incline RR(sucked), ruby falls, rock city, fresh water
aquarium) Chattanooga more touristy than I thought it would be.
very very beautiful scenery..lush lush forests and cedar trees so dark green
they are just about black. Would be an ulitimate place to retire.
Travelled across northern Alabama (nice scenic trip) to Tupelo
Tupelo MS--saw where Elvis was born, did side trips to Memphis(Graceland)
and Cornish( Shiloh National civil war park) very interesting and nice.
Also did a side trip to Boonsville.
Natchez trace Parkway to Natchez, (Saw 3 antebellum houses, sidetrip to
Vicksbourg(civil war stuff--shiloh was better)
Thibideoux LA-- side trip to Grand Isle(showed mom the ocean)
side trip Zam's swamp tour(the people off of trading spouses) held snakes,
turtles, alligators etc.. went on a swamp tour(mom liked this best out of
the whole trip)
Also checked out a few Antebellum houses and plantations.(Saw Oak
Alley(pic)and Nottingway(pic), toured SanFransico, Laura, and
checked out a walmart supercenter (don't have these in Canada there pretty
cool--steamed seafood right in the store!!)
We then went to New Orleans, checked out the French Quarter, Burbon Street
(same as Whyte Ave here in Edmonton--less stores more trinket-souvenier
shops, more titty bars and peepshows, very neon---wasn't impressed at all)
smaller than whyte ave only 1 car can fit.
checked out---cemetary.. no big thrill for me, seen it all in Haiti.
st. Charles street car..antebellum houses, very nice along St. Charles Ave.
Aquarium(one in TN more impressive however i did get some kick ass pics of a
great white!)
checked out some sidewalk cafes, wax museum, listened to some jazz, went to
the french market and farmers market (total ripoff! mangos like $2.00 each!!
bananas $1.00) Went to the big flea market, repetitive after awhile. and I
think that was it in New Orleans. Oh yeah, went to an awesome seafood
restaurant called Deannies. Not at all impressed with New Orleans.
then we drove down a scenic by-way up the east side of LA West MS. Stayed in
Alexandria then checked out Frogmore Plantation a 1800 cottongin and modern
cottongin, it was pretty cool.
then spent the nite in Greenville MS.
drove to St.Louis MS to return home. on the way did a side trip to Epps
(poverty Point LA where there is this archeological site that I wanted to
see).
all in all, it was a pretty good trip, and I survived unscathed. I
discovered/learned some things not in Canada..
1. Cracker Barrel-I wish they had this in Canada--awesome place.
2. there are alot of BIG people in the southern states and they love to eat.
Made me feel good to see that I'm on the small side of Big there and sad to
see so many huge children. I feel so bad for the kids and the problems that
they are going to have in the future.
3. they serve Mountain size portions.
4.They love Salt!! (had to throw away our food 3x in different restaurants
in different states due to too much salt!)
5. The accents are awesome!
6. Some people talk on the street the same way they talk on Jerry Springer,
I thought it was just an act for TV, wow!
7. Southern Hospitality is awesome. I loved the way people called me "maam"
regardless of their age. You don't see this too much in the bigger places
here in Canada.
8.Although the preservation of Indian burial grounds is prominent in several
States, I was surprised NOT to see many reservations or Native people
themselves.
9.It shocked me that "white" people in the South still refer to black people
as "blacks" ie: "the blackies", "the darkies" "I had one of our black staff
make these", our "black people" did this. I would get the shit kicked out
of me if I did this back home..LOL!!! Me and my mom were trying to figure
out why the older "white" people had to make it known that a "blackie" did
something, or that they did something for the "darkie". I think this
surprised me the most.
All in all the trip was good, and mom enjoyed herself that's what counts.
Will definitly return to do more of my own thing at a later date.
Tashi
--
"When one realizes that life is worthless
he either commits suicide or travels. ~ Edward Dahlberg
LIFE IS AN ATTITUDE!
http://www.globosapiens.net/ta-shy
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