Don't stop thinking about tomorrow

So what makes Little Rock famous, many would say it was the 42nd President of the United States, William Jefferson (Bill) Clinton. So today our blog starts looking back at the tune Bill Clinton used as his campaign song in 1992, the 1977 hit for Fleetwood Mac hit Don't stop thinking about tomorrow (for full lyrics). The focus of today was a visit to his presidential library, more of that later.

The day started with morning Mass at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Little Rock. The cathedral is only five blocks from the hotel, so a nice easy walk in the morning cool. I left the hotel at 7.45 and was at the cathedral for 7.55. For the first time in my experience confessions were being heard from 8.00 a.m. until Mass time. Confessions before Mass are not uncommon, but I've not been to a church where this happens before a Sunday Mass. I was really grateful though as it had been 8 weeks since my last confession, so a good time to take the opportunity to turn my back on my sins and my face towards the Lord. Following confessions I spent the time in prayer feeling the pleasure of having had my sins forgiven. The time before Mass was focussed on giving thanks to the Lord for the last week and all the pleasure and fun it has been and praying for my friends, family and the parish community back in Cardiff. I have been truly blessed so far this holiday, so I give thanks. 

There was a good crowd, about 200 at Mass, and it was a nice celebration. The focus of the sermon was on the gift of faith not as a set of things to believe  but as the gift of knowing God and being responsive to him in all that we do. A thought to keep with me for the week.

I walked back to the hotel and Drew and I went out to Walmart about five miles away across town. The thing about American Sundays is that they are predicated on people going to Church and then having a late breakfast or brunch. This means that all the 'sights' don't open until 1.00 pm - so we went to Walmart to compare prices and generally get a feel for American life for those who are shopping not churching. We had our breakfast in a Subway attached to Walmart - Bacon, egg and pepper jack cheese with chilli and pickles on a wheat sub for me and a Steak and onions on an Italian sub for Drew.

Walking around Walmart it is notable that food stuff is between half and two thirds the price of the same goods in the UK. There are some things which are even cheaper eggs and milk for example. Feeding oneself in America, like eating out, is certainly cheaper even at the current exchange rate of $1.54 - we have been here when the exchange rate was $2 and the price difference was even more marked. Clothes are also significantly lower in price, I bought a leather belt for $10 (i.e. £6.66) that I would normally pay at least £15 at home.    

The Clinton Presidential Library and Park is the big local attraction. We arrived at 12.50 ready for admission at 1.00 pm and spent two and a half hours here. I've never been to a presidential library before. If this one is anything to go by it is a mix of panegyric and a claim to success. The audio tour was in Bill Clinton's own words and it and the exhibits celebrated the 8 years (1993-2001) of his presidency. Coming out of the air-conditioned library into the full blaze of afternoon sun was a shock, we ran to the car (and people who know me know that running is not my forte) to get back into air-con.

From the library we went back to 4Square in the middle of downtown, where we had stopped for much needed fluid yesterday and we had lunch there. We had noticed yesterday that they do vegetarian sandwiches here (unusual in itself in the US). The other diners were mainly University of Arkansas students having a late brunch. I had a portobello mushroom and red pepper sandwich on wheat and Drew opted for the plain grilled cheese sandwich. Just enough to fill a gap until dinner tonight.

We then walked along the Arkansas riverside walk, but by this time the heat and humidity was getting to much. It was 96 degrees Fahrenheit (36 C). We read some signs and walked a short way, but we were soon running back to the comfort of the car's air-con. We went back to the Hotel and spent the next three hours in the cool catching up with things, filing last week's e-mails etc, until 7.00 pm. 

As I mentioned yesterday most of the restaurant's in Little Rock shut for the weekend. Drew had used Yelp to find some open ones. So we travelled back to downtown and in to Gusano's a pizzeria and sports bar. I bet my Dad would love this place, 20 TVs across the walls showing at least five different sports, he would be in his oils. For us it was just a place that was open for food. So trying to puzzle over the excitement of American Football, Baseball and Athletics (to name three of the the sports) was a bonus!! We were happy though to celebrate the huge glasses for our Diet Coke and the food.

For starters Drew went with a Caesar Salad and I opted for buffalo chicken wings with a blue cheese sauce. The chicken wings were meaty and the sauce nice and strong. 

For mains we both had pizza's, these were traditional (i.e. thin and crispy). Drew had a Ditka with a topping of Pepperoni, Italian Sausage, fresh jalapenos and fresh basil. I opted for a Deluxe which had a topping of Pepperoni, Italian Sausage, canadian bacon minced beef, green peppers, onions and mushrooms. Filling but tasty.

Drew had left two slices of his pizza, and even though he asked not to have it 'boxed' they gave it to him anyway. 

So a quiet day today, by this holiday's standards, but time to relax and reflect, before we start the journey from the south to the north of the US over the next few days.