Elvis Lives!

We left New Orleans and drove north thru Mississippi to the Birthplace of Elvis in Tupelo http://www.elvispresleybirthplace.com/. We toured the house he was born in...this tour was literally no more than 15 steps in the front door and out the back door of his "shotgun house." How small was it you ask? It was so small you had to go outside to change your mind...It was so small that only 10 people could go in at a time. It's called a shotgun house because if you shot a shotgun thru the front door it would go straight thru the house without hitting anything (assuming no-one was standing between the two doors). The house is a bedroom and a kitchen. It was SMALL.
We also saw a short movie in the church where Elvis and his family attended services. The film is very well done...three screens...one in front showing the pulpit and the preacher and one on each side showing the congregation so the effect is that as you sit in the pews you feel as though you are in the crowd. This is the church where Elvis was inspired to sing gospel music, and so was the beginning of his rise to become "the King". My group was more than excited to visit Elvis' birthplace...some of the ladies were literally squealing and bouncing with excitement to finally be "there". This was, afterall, why they travelled 7,000 miles. Amazing.
After Tupelo we journeyed to Memphis, TN, checked into the hotel, re-boarded the bus for our dinner reservation at Club 152 on Beale St. Holy Cow...the dinner was informal and excellent...the entertainment was...you guessed it...ELVIS! One of the best impersonators I have seen put on a great show...there was screaming, and dancing and such excitment as I have not seen since Elvis appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. Very Fun!
After that we strolled down Beale Street which gave us more of a show than the show. My group scattered here and the bunch I stayed with (including "Mrs. P") were so excited and ready to experience whatever was to be experienced that it made for a riotous evening. They were dancing in the street, approaching policemen for picture taking, talking to anyone and everyone they met, and posing with perfect strangers, and laughing riotously. It was truly joyful.
Today we visit Sun Studios, and Graceland....I can only imagine.