nashville: hot chicken, hills, and a whole lotta confusion
okay, so i just got back from nashville. and honestly? it’s… a lot. i mean, it’s supposed to be ‘music city,’ and it is, but it’s also hot, hilly, and smells vaguely of barbecue. i checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. seriously, the humidity is something else. it’s like stepping into a warm, slightly sticky hug that never lets go.
first off, the geography is wild. it’s basically a big bowl - the nashville basin - with the highland rim all around it. they say it’s fertile, which i guess makes sense, considering all the farms and, you know, hot chicken. someone told me that the elevation changes are insane, going from 385 feet to over 1100 feet in one area. it’s like a topographical rollercoaster. and the coordinates? 36.166° N, -86.784° W. i tried to memorize it, but i promptly forgot.
history-wise, it started as a frontier settlement back in 1779. apparently, it became the capital in 1843. before the civil war, it was all fancy plantation mansions and farmland. now it’s, like, Tennessee Walking Horse farms and… well, more hot chicken. it’s a weird transition. they’re really leaning into the music thing, though. the grand ole opry, ryman auditorium, broadway honky-tonks - it’s a whole vibe.
and the food! oh my god, the food. hot chicken is a thing. it’s spicy, it’s fried, it’s glorious. biscuits, pimento cheese, barbecue… it’s a southern comfort food overload. i’m pretty sure i gained five pounds just thinking about it. they’ve got these fancy farm-to-table places too, which is cool, but honestly, i just wanted more hot chicken.
people-wise, it’s a mix. you’ve got the country music legends - cash, parton, swift - and then athletes like mayweather. al gore lives there too, apparently. it’s a pretty diverse place, i think. someone told me that the culture is super friendly, which i guess is true, but also a little overwhelming. everyone’s obsessed with music. it’s kind of exhausting, but also… nice?
if you get bored, memphis (212 miles west) and knoxville (180 miles east) are just a short drive away. seriously, just drive.
now, let’s talk about the downsides. it’s hot and humid in the summer, and the pollen is insane in the spring and fall. and the traffic? don’t even get me started. it’s a growing city, so everything’s a little congested. also, it’s pretty expensive in the trendy neighborhoods. and, uh, crime is a little high in some areas. but hey, at least you can get some amazing hot chicken.
overall, nashville is… chaotic. it’s loud, it’s sweaty, it’s full of music, and it’s surprisingly charming. it’s not a place you just casually visit; it’s a place you experience. and honestly, i wouldn’t have it any other way. i’m already planning my return trip (mostly for the hot chicken, let’s be real).
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