Fun, food, fabulous and festive. These are four words that can describe my trip to N'Awlins. What started out to be a two couple and one teenage girl trip morphed into a girls getaway. As life has it the hubbies couldn't make it. I set off on my adventure from the Norfolk International Airport with a short lay over in Nashville, TN, flying Southwest Air all the way. I don't care what anybody says. I love Southwest. Sure it's find your own seat but they don't charge for baggage or leg room. And, ye-hah, I got front row on first flight and emergency exit on the second. Who doesn't like extra leg room.
I must say, as I wondered around the Nashville airport, I can say I was impressed. Among my many loves I also love a decent airport that understands customer surface and customer comfort. My one and a half hour layover was spent walking about, window shopping in the multitude of stores. From Native American to Country chic they even have a kiddie playground. And I almost forgot, it is a writer's delight. there were a gazillion electical outlets.
I found my hotel via the airport shuttle for $38.00 rt. Not a bad deal if you ask me. the hotel is cozy, classic, and located right on Bourban St in the middle of the French Quarter. Who could ask for anything more.
After getting checked in and un packed, yes, I unpack at hotels if I'm staying more than over night. Don't ask me why, it's just a thing I do. I ventured down to the street in search of food. The oatmeal I'd eaten in Nashville at the Starbucks had long left me.
Lucky me, the restaurant Oceana wa right across the street. I didn't want a full meal because I was waiting for my partner in crime, author Yvette Hines to arrive. She was driving in from Charlotte, N.C. I opted for a side order of fried shrimp, $5.00 and a side of crawfish etouffee', also $5.00. Well in a word, it was wonderful. The shrimp were huge and fantastic. I expected a 3-4 bite size morsals. There were 6 shrimp and they were as large as my thumbs and I have big hands. Got the from my dad. My hands, that is, not the shrimp. He wore a size 13 on his pinky. Yikes. Thank God he never spanked us. Sorry, I digress, took a trip down memory lane. The etouffee was the best I'd ever had. There is no word that can describe it. I get chills as I write about it, thinking how my late after noon meal gave what I can only describe as a foodgasm. You figure it out.
Well to round out the day, when Mrs Hines arrived and was totally hungry and lookiing for some good New Orleans cruisine to end the night, we found ourselves back at Oceana. This time I tried the crab cakes. They were good but had a little more filler than I like in a crab cake. Ms Hines copied my lunch and got the etouffee', topping the dinner off with chocolate kahlua mousse cake and creme brulee.
With three more days to go, Lord help my cholesterol.
Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. I remember being plastered to the television screen, my heart pounding and tears in my eyes. But not to worry. New Orleans is alive and well and there is a rebirth going on here. That's what I saw and heard from so many people.
I met many people in the two days I've been here who actually migrated to New Orleans after Katrina because they wanted to be a part of this rebirth. They wanted to do something worthwhile in their life. Wow! To George (Mr Fantastic) at the Hard Rock Cafe, with his bubbly infectious attitude to Asante at the tour stop who loves mystery and suspense books. My hat off to you and everyone else who stepped off the beaten path, left your familiar and well made path to come here. You are greatly appreciated and doing a fine job.
The energy here is breath taking. You have to remind yourself to eat. So don't you think people only come to the French Quarter to get their drink on. There are some serious activities going on from the horse drawn buggy rides along the streets of N'awlins to a ride down the Mississippi on the steamboat Natchez, and yes, if you want to get a serious drink on, this is the place. I had to visit Cafe Du Monde and get my beignet on if nothing else and out horse's name was Nuckle Head. Hey, I didn't name him.
Today we walked and walked and walked some more. There isn't enough space to show all 400 pictures. Sorry. Dinner was famous fried chicken and red beans and rice. Tomorrow I've got to find gumbo. I shouldn't really say find gumbo because its on every corner. what I meant is, I've got to find space in my stomach for gumbo. I can't get on the plane Sunday until I do. We ended the evening journey at the Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse. Nothing better than live jazz. But right now, as I sit on this very comfortable hotel bed at the Royal Sonesta Hotel propped against feather down pillows I really need to put away Aunt Sally's Praline Pecans.
I dont know what I was thinking when I opened them. You can't eat just one, or two or five for that fact. Tomorrow off to the aquarium and zoo and on Saturday I'm visiting the oldest cemetary in the city. St. Louis Cemetery. And yes, I said cemetary. You want character and history, visit an old cemetary and this one dates back to 1789. So cool!
