ROAD TRIP// Memphis

Memphis was pretty much our last real stop, but we cut it down to just one day because we spent more time in Alabama. You hear a lot of stuff about this city, people warned us about it, said it's not safe for two girls to go there by temselves and all of that. After certain incidents in Texas and elsewhere, we were definitely trying to be "safe" (whatever that means), by driving in daylight, staying away from dodgy alleys and all of that. 

Memphis was beautiful, not at all scary in this beautiful weather but we still just drove around to get a feel for the city. It is a shame we didn't do anything at all and again, you need a lot more time in this city to experience it the right way.

Elvis had his house here, Martin Luther King Jr got shot and died in this city, it is home to the Memphis blues and soul- the city is bursting with charm and character, waiting to be explored.

First we were randomly driving around, but then we just followed this beautiful old car in front of us and it gave us a sightseeing tour around Memphis haha.

the car we followed

the motel where King was shot, it is now the civil rights museum

a glimpse of Beale St, the famous bar/club street

Moving on to Elvis Land

this is the wall in front of his house, full of messages for him

the beautiful house, tucked away behind trees

Fringe diary #2

There are certain moments where you are so caught up in the Fringe madness, you forget what the real life feels like.

I took a half hour bus ride to finally get a hair cut and here in the south of Edinburgh, it's like the Fringe doesn't even exist.
But then you come back and have a wine and cheese night on a stage where Jason Byrne is just hanging out next to you. This has become my weird August reality. Your team becomes your family and it feels weird when someone has a day off.
You walk home in absolute daylight, wondering how the night went by so quickly. For me the some days only start at midnight, when I'm finished with work.

Edinburgh is transformed during August, there are always people everywhere, all the shops are open late, it is so different than other months.
At the same time, as much as I love Edinburgh and the Fringe, it also make me aware of how much I prefer films and that whole scene. I'm not a theatre person, I hate acting, I can actually fee how different I am from these drama students, performers and theatre obsessed people. I enjoy good comedians, a well written play and an entertaining show, but I think it ends there. Film is much more my scene, I would prefer watching weird films over watching weird Fringe shows any day. Why do I still do it, working at the Fringe? Because festival goers are fascinating and mostly lovely people and helping them pick great shows in this sea of possibilities is rewarding, especially when they come back and tell you got much they loved a certain show. And a month long festival is a one of a kind thing to be part of. That's why.

And again, the shows I watched recently:

1. Rhythmic Circus- Feet don't fail me now


2. Jason Byrne


3. Brazouka


4.The After Party with Alex Rossi and the Rhythmic Circus Band

5. Best of the Fest

ROAD TRIP// Nashville

Nashville was the first big city we visited after a whole lot of Alabama countryside. We stayed in a super dodgy motel (again), so we shut the curtains, avoided eye contact with fellow motel mates and got ready for a proper night out. We wanted to go line dancing as a proper cowgirl would do, but of course the dance hall was closed. So we went across the street, hung out at a typical American dive bar-  we made friends with the bartender and everyone around us, had a great night (and a huge bill) that ended with us running from the parking lot straight to the sketchy motel room to avoid unwanted attention.

The next day was slightly corrupted after this extensive night- we still went to the Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame, which was really cool. I wish we could have stayed longer in this great city, but we had to drive to Memphis that same day.
Aw Nashville, you are a babe.

Fringe Diary #1

Dear Fringe,
the weather gods certainly don't mean well this year. Loads of rain and silly dark clouds. Not fun.
Work is relaxed and good fun because my team is great (hooray). So far no customers have yelled at us (yet), no one puked in to our venue, no one had to be escorted out. Thumbs up!
My best food award so far definitely goes to the BBQ pork hot dog thing at the food truck in the Assembly George Square Garden. My go to drink is the cheapest beer with lime juice because I don't like spending over 4 quid on a tiny vodka+cranberry. No thank you.
I still haven't managed to get organized and bring lunch to work, which is why I enjoy sandwiches/soups from Cafe Musa and Cafe Espresso (I have to admit, they know me personally by now). Oh the perks of paid work, you can actually spend some money.

Here are the shows I have watched so far, in no real order.

1. Voca People//

I was freaked out by their costumes but they are endlessly talented and their song medleys will give you goosebumps. The part where they pick audience members to go on stage will give you goosebumps too, but the ones I don't like. Ugh.

2. The Pin//

So glad we picked this show, these guys are so sweet and funny and have a great idea for the show which is inspiringly innovative and hilarious.

3. Glenn Cosby//

He was part of the last season of the British Bake Off and in his shows, he actually makes cake for the audience. That's all I'm gonna say, because it should be enough to make anyone want to go.

3. Margaret Thatcher Queen of SoHo// 

 This might be my favorite the more I think about it.

"It’s a camp comic cabaret Christmas Extravaganza about Thatcher and the creation of Section 28. It’s got music, dancing, jokes, and a cameo from Ian McKellen in it. It also tells the story of Thatcher getting lost in Soho one night, mistaken for a man in drag, being on the receiving end of homophobia and accidentally becoming a cabaret sensation." I feel that this is easily one of the most typical Fringe shows: so fun, creative, smart and entertaining.

4. Foul Play. The f*cking nasty show// This was a show that starts quite late, so the performers are drunk and turn in to racists, justify it by pointing to the title of the show. Thank god each one is only one for about 8 minutes. I enjoyed one of the eight performers, the rest was just a big too much. If you are into nasty comedians, then this is your show!

5. 50 Shades! The Musical// I really enjoyed this, more so because I actually read the books- their parody is spot on and worth watching. 

Current Obsessions.

1. This song.


2. Cafe Espesso in Edinburgh (seriously best sandwiches ever)


3. This playlist!
 


4. FRINGE!