American Christmas: Worst and Best of America

Have car will travel.  So we went to Montgomery, about 1 hours drive from Auburn.  Montgomery was the focus for the Civil Rights movement.  I put 400 Washington Avenue into the GPS and off we went.  South on I85.  An uneventful drive - just what I wanted. Montgomery is the state capital, which makes the story that follows even more remarkable.  We were headed for the Southern Poverty Law Centre.  It has a memorial to those who died in the struggle for equality.  The memorial is outside, a slate grey stone disk with the names of the victims carved into the top.  Water rises from the center of the disk and flows over the sides.  The bible verse "Amos 5:24 - We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream." provides the theme.  The first problem was parking. The meter takes quarters (25 cent piece), one for 30 minutes.  I found out how long by putting one - the only one we had - in the meter. AM I SUPPOSED TO JUST KNOW?  We got some more quarters from the the guy on the entry desk and returned to the meter.  Inside the memorial are the stories of the victims, and a video presentation.  We were the only people in the museum at the start of our visit.  I put my name on the justice wall.  One of the computers was showing the desktop, not the wall of names, it had an unlicensed copy of windows - in a law centre dedicated to justice!!  We walked around the area and saw the church and some of the City buildings.  Then we drove to the remains of the bus station    We were given the tour, inside instead of out because of the cold wind.  Again we were the only people there. It is an arts centre with various exhibits reflecting on the movement and the struggle.  Not the outcome though, the struggle is not over. The to get lunch.  We were recommended Isaiahs.  It was closed for the holidays.  We found another place to head for but we were 12 miles away back on I85.  We left at junction 3 and stopped at Captain D's.  We had the two piece fish meal - two pieces of deep fried fish two hush-puppies  (corn balls deep fried) over cooked, over salted green beans and steamed broccoli.  We were served by a typical UK McDonald's employee. No chat, just attitude.
We returned to the city centre and the Rosa Parks Library.  We parked in the Plaza - we were the only people there.  No photos we were told many times as the only two in the video theatre.  This is a really good exhibition, with re-enactment of the events on the bus, the cars that were used in the bus boycott and the actual letters Dr King wrote.  Again personal attention by an enthusiastic guide.

Thoughts
Montgomery - is a ghost town, where are the people?  Tumbleweed!
Just as in Northern Ireland, some of the crimes committed have not been investigated properly.  That should happen - there is no statute of limitations on murder, or shouldn't be.
Civil Rights movement - should never have been required, but as it was we can only be impressed and inspired by their non-violent approach.  I remember hearing about it as a child, but not really understanding what was happening.  Now I have a better understanding.  This area suffered from extreme prejudice, similar to apartheid in South Africa, and it was overcome without a terrorist campaign - rest of the world take note.

In the evening we went to Hamiltons an up-market restaurant in Auburn, with friends of Karen & Robert. I had the Tuna - the best tuna I have ever eaten - by far.  Good food & good company makes for a great evening.

Things I like about America - in no particular order 
Lemonade that tastes of lemons
Refills
Restaurant service

Things I don't like about America - in no particular order
The assumption that people know what is required.
Tourist information is there but hard to access, heritage is not well served.
Too much ice, too little drink (UK dislike too)

Worst and best of America
The reaction to Captain D's back at home was well below 'not impressed', so that would qualify as the worst.
The treatment of the Freedom Riders was appalling and really is the worst.
Hamilton's must rate as the best - service, food all great.
The people who guided us were the best, as were the Freedom Riders themselves.

spolier - it gets better tomorrow.