A few weeks ago I took a trip to Birmingham and Nashville with my boyfriend and another couple. They're both really unique cities with a flavor all their own. I thought Nashville was one of the most interesting places I've ever visited. It's got this vibe I've never felt anywhere else. Music spills out of every open door you walk by, and the whole place feels well-loved and lived-in, like the Velveteen rabbit or like broken-in cowboy boots. Plus it's got this sort of like grit-glam thing going on. It's some sort of nebulous mix of polish and gravel or something. I tried to take a lot of pictures, but as usual, only a very few seem worth sharing. Here are two that capture the feel of the town, I think.

This is a partially-functioning neon sign on the side of one of the storefronts. It's right at dusk.

There were tons of horse-drawn carriages, and a few of the drivers had companion dogs. One of these canines was a real showboat, and everytime the carriage stopped, the dog would go stand on the horse's back. Normally I think carriages are completely dorky and forced and super-touristy, but somehow in Nashville they just seemed natural and cozy. We didn't take a ride in one, but it was an appealing idea. We definitely considered it.

* Jessica *