4 - 11 Dec Paris, Texas

 So packed up in Memphis and headed to Hot Springs, Arkansas for a Saturday stay-over.  Turned out to be a surprise.  I knew it had some hot springs, but not much more.

The drive was all flat and muddy - made me think of driving through Louisiana.  And then I got to Hot Springs - a few hills - nothing big, but a great town.  Cycled into town - about 8 miles - and by chance actually got to the hub of the town.  Very 1920s (I think) - most of the buildings must have been built around that time period.  Huge buildings and still a few active 'bath houses'.  The locals bring containers to the fountains in the town to fill them up with the spring water - apparently the water is quite healing - it was very hot - too hot to taste out of the spring....  Very touristy town.

Some one car town I passed through.  There was nothing more than these buildings

I prefer old Boston

The taps everywhere in town.

A Katarina in Arkansas?

One of the massive buildings (derelict) in Hot Springs

Had early dinner at a beer brewery and watch the Arkansas ?? beat someone else at basketball - locals were very enthusiastic.

Sunday was on to Paris, Texas... had to stop there as Nastassja Kinski was one of my pervs back in the day and she was in the movie.  Watch it - very slow and I am half way though watching it again.  Have not seen the town in the movie, but it is building up...as I said - slow.

Paris has two things... an Eiffel tower and a statue in the cemetery of Jesus with cowboy boots.

Note the judaic boots...

Photo is flattering - short and squat

and that is it... there are no tourists, there is nothing else.  The RV park was once again out of town and not within Uber reach.  However, there was someone in the RV park that would drive me around.  For $40 I got a tour of the town, did a walk along part of the Trail de Paris and got picked up and brought home.  Was actually quite pleasant.

When in Paris...

Actually an ice cream shop

 

Fun part was after walking the deserted streets looking for a t-shirt for Gene with "Paris, Texas" on it and getting lots of 'ooooh thats so sweet honey' from the older ladies in various stores, I finally get to a shop that has the right t-shirt.  I get it out, check the wording, and then asked the lady for a large - sleep wear for Gene.  End of the story is I get back to the RV, open the package to get a photo of the purchase for Gene, and... its got some stooopid rocket thing on it - no Paris, Texas.  So, Gene has a great new shirt for xmas.

Last night in Paris, I cooked a Cape Malay mince curry - first RV curry of the trip and it came out great - except that the whole RV reeked of curry for the next 5 days...  maar nou ja.

Cape Malay RV curry