sunburnt country to the home of country music

Well I've been in Nashville for a week now and I am loving every second of it.
I've been to a bunch of different live music nights, lots of tourist things, and lots of boring life things (like buying groceries and more winter clothes).

It took me a while to get used to driving here again but I'm feeling ok about it now, because of course tomorrow I won't have a car any more...
One thing is that no one here does the speed limit. Or even within 5 miles of the speed limit.
But given that most roads are 4 lane highways everyone just goes around me and so far no one has been a jerk about it. Unlike Sydney.
I figure if I was to get pulled over, it would be because I'm more likely to do something silly without realising it's illegal so the least I can do is obey speed limits.

I've seen some really great songwriters and I'm trying to get out and see a lot more.
Monday night I went to The Listening Room to see Song Suffragettes, which is an all female singer-songwriter night.
The venue was great and the line up blew me away. So much talent, it's so inspiring.

I also went to a writer's night out of town a bit at the 404 Bar and Grill. Great bunch of people and again, some really great writers.

I've also briefly walked down broadway, done a round on one of the free Music City buses, checked out the Farmer's Markets, and visited The Hermitage.

Then my bank locked one of my credit cards, despite me telling them that I would be over here and it being a TRAVEL money card. So I spent about half a day walking around trying to find a landline, (in 2015!) so I could call their reverse charge number back in Australia. I eventually gave up and bought some Skype time because as it turns out no one that I know here has a landline at their house and no one in any hotel or public venue that I came across (and I tried about 8 different ones) had a phone that wasn't blocked from calling internationally. It was a whole saga but I got it sorted eventually.

Anyway, here are a few of the photos that I took around the place. Turns out I'm really bad at remembering to take photos but I figure it's because I'm enjoying the moment, or at least that's my excuse.

Writer's Night at 404 Bar and Grill

The Ryman - the "Mother Church of Country Music"

Shopping - for the important stuff

Visitor's Center

Milkshake at Burger Republic.

SNOW!!! I lost my mind the morning I walked outside to snow.

The Zoo Run Run. 5km run to fundraise for the Nashville zoo. It was the day after the snow and it was still freezing! There was also about 2000 people apparently and we went all the way through the zoo, including through back areas. I may have stopped to look at the animals (those that were out) and not paid any attention to my course time. Oh well.

There should probably be lots more photos especially at The Hermitage but I forgot and you actually can't take photos inside the house which makes total sense but it was really amazing. I'm not too familiar with American history so it was probably even more interesting to me than most visitors because it was all new. Apart from the house they had so much stuff from Andrew Jackson's time. An entire carriage (!), plus clothes, personal items, and weapons from the war of independence. At some point I would love to study American history in a bit more depth, I'll add it to my list and get to it at some point I'm sure.

Anyway, that is pretty much my first week and a bit. I'm sure I've missed stuff but it will have to do.

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