Info from chats with cab drives in Nashville
1. 3 rides, all drivers where from Ethiopia
2. I'm at Country Music central, and I'm listening to African CD in the cab
3. Tornado touched down in Nashville twice in last few years, one in Downtown area, though last least than half a minute.
4. Not hit as hard here in bad economy because of diversified local economy- including manufacturing, music industry, AT&T, auto, NFL football franchise, railroad, tourism...
5. Marathon is 2nd largest event of year, after Country Music annual event; just about everybody picking up at airport is participating in the marathon
6. Awfully hot this year for the race at 87F, was in 50s last year but rainy.
7. Nashville has lots of racoon, also possum, deer, coyote but no bear. Almost ran over a squirrel in downtown area.
8. Gets very hot and humid in the summer months.
9. As Super Shuttle driver, got to cruise along marathon route (even if blocked off from cars) to pick up anyone who wanted to quit in the hot weather; had lots of takers, one with eyes rolling back as if in convulsion who flopped flat on seat and told him "Don't let me die!". 40 taken to hospitals, most for dehydration. (One died after crossing the Half Marathon finish line)
10. Nashville high crime rate, in top 10 of major American cities. (Checked and Forbes.com's "America's Most Dangerous Cities" article ranked Nashville No. 9 and New Orleans No. 11; Memphis is No. 2, behind No. 1 Detroit. Las Vegas in No. 4.
11. Tennesse is part of the Southeastern USA and Vanderbuilt U. is in the Southeastern Conference with the likes of football powerhouses Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, and LSU. They were 1-7 in the conference for 2008.
12. Davy Crockett of Alamo fame was born on a mountain top in Tennesse