FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX: Nashville

We left Atlanta first thing in the morning to make the most of our day in Nashville, better known as Music City. We drove by Chattanooga made good time arriving in Nashville before lunch. Prices for hotels on New Years Eve were very expensive. We managed to get a reasonable deal at the Best Western Music Row. It was a good 1.6km walk from downtown but did not charge astronomical fees for parking. As we walked towards Broadway, we say many cars being towed away.

Nashville is the heart and soul of country music. Prior to our road trip through Montana and Wyoming, I had not really appreciated country music. However, after having no choice but to actively listen to it during our last time, I have come to enjoy it very much!

Destinations for today

Hello Music City!

Its country music city alright

Boots for babies

They obviously take their music very seriously

Grates surrounding the trees

Glass panels at the bus stop

We were starving so we stopped at the first place that could seat us straight away

After a quick lunch complete with live music, we visited the Ryman Auditorium. It started life as a house of worship, designed so that sermons would project to the crowds. The wonderful acoustics make it a great concert venue. It is probably best known as the former home to the radio show, the Grand Ole Opry, thus earning it the nickname of the Mother Church of the country music. Many of country music's greats have performed here.

Ryman Auditorium

The mother church of country music has one of the best acoustics of any concert hall

The old church pews restored

A lightning visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Hatch Show Print was followed by walking down broadway. We enjoyed the festive mood and the live music spilling out from the various establishments. By this stage, many road side stalls had already set up and the smell of food was wafting deliciously through the air! We admired the enormous variety of gloriously crafted boots. Of course, the one that I had my eye on came in at a charming price of $1,100. With a big sigh, I had to let it go. I couldn't quite justify it no matter how unique the boots were! As per usual, we console shopping woes with food. Today, it was apples dripped in caramel and coated with peanuts and chocolate. Mmmm....the whole family fought over the 2 apples for the next 5 minutes.

Unfortunately, our grand plans of staying to usher in the new year never quite eventuated. We were exhausted and it was freezing! We rushed into the Hard Rock Cafe to warm ourselves and to eat. We walked around for a little bit more to enjoy the atmosphere before making the long trek back to the hotel.

2013 has been a year filled with many challenges and many changes. However, amongst the lows has also been moments of joy. We are grateful for all that we have been given and for our experiences both good and bad. It is not always easy to remember that life is here to shape us into the people that the Creator intended us to be. I pray that 2014 will bring joy and peace to all, and that we are able to approach the year with love, humility and a servant heart.