Nawlins
On Christmas day, Fran, Marina, and I drove down south to New Orleans. After a grueling drive we arrived early in the morning of December 26th, 2012 at the Hotel Monteleone, a very classy establishment as you can see.
After we were mistaken for the help a few times, we started our vacation in the Big Easy. We mostly just walked around the city taking in the architecture, shops, food, music, and street performers, all of which were top quality.
Of course we had to stop by the world famous Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo. This store was a really cool stop. I got some sweet souvenirs, a few of which aren't claimed if anyone is interested.
I love the style of buildings and the close quarters of the French Quarter. I could just walk around those streets looking at houses for days without getting bored.
The brass bands performing on the streets were top notch, playing tunes that made people dance. There was even an old mystical cajun with a cane teaching people how to dance like a cajun. I remember running into him again on bourbon street. Then I found out that he's been dead for twentyyyyyyy yeeeeeeeaaaaaaarrrrrrs.
Fran and Marina are such avid Andrew Jackson fans that they made me get a picture in front of the statue, and a few more angles.
These guys were quite entertaining. We only stuck around for their warm-up, but I'm sure the show itself was intense. I want that shirt.
We eventually made it to an old convent which had some beautiful artwork and Catholic relics/treasures. I can't even begin to guess how much all the gold and gem encrusted crosses are worth. Heist? Anyone?
I wanted to do the Tebow in this picture, but apparently Fran only hates two things; People who are intolerant of other people's religions, and Protestant whores.
Afterwards we ate some more delicious food, which serves as the best time to give my review of the food in Nawlins, one of the best reasons to come to this beautiful city. The best meal we had was the African restaurant, hands down. I do not remember the name, but it's the only authentic African food in the French Quarter, I believe. My second favorite was Crawfish Etouffee, something you have to try if you come to Nawlins. If you aren't into crawfish, at least get some form of gumbo. Next I would have to say the Grilled Rabbit over red beans and rice, followed by a Muffaletta. (Although I doubt I sampled anything even close to the best muffaletta) I would be an extremely fat man if I lived here. After food we caught a sunset from the roof of our hotel.
The other reason you should come to New Orleans is to check out the music. If you do, don't waste your time on Bourbon Street. You can get far cheaper drinks and much better music on Frenchman street. We took in a few songs from this band. I'm usually not an avid saxophone fan, but this guy could really play some solid tunes.
We walked back towards the hotel, and I separated from the pack to check out bourbon street, as the only member of the group who drinks.
The picture is blurry, but to be fair, after ordering one mixed drink, this probably looked right to me. Bourbon Street mixed drinks are expensive, but boy do they pack a punch.
After a few drinks, I joined Fran and Marina in the rooftop heated pool, which was a lot of fun until you had to get out into the 30 degree weather soaking wet. I'd still do it again.
The city lights beckoned me to come back out, and I was in no position to resist. I had a lot of fun drinking with strangers this night, but the night ended on a sour note when I got robbed at gunpoint. It was my stupid fault for going off Bourbon Street into some deserted side street. Lesson learned.
This wonderful building, which used to be a brewery (I think) is now a shopping mall. Worth checking out for the building alone.
Next we walked north of the French Quarter to check out a cemetary. After making a wrong turn, we walked through the ghetto until we finally found the entrance. Luckily I did not get robbed again, although that would have been pretty funny. I literally have hundreds of pictures in this awesome graveyard which was sadly damaged from the flood, but most of them are not that good. I would love to come back here at night time, if it weren't for the neighborhood it was in.
We kind of snuck into a tour at one point to learn that the "xxx" markings and the offerings at different graves meant that it was a Zombie Queen/King's grave and would supposedly earn you their favor. This was Marie Leveau's grave.
Checking in on my ladies.
For our final taste of the Big Easy, we toured the Celebration in the Oaks, a good version of Lights on the Lake. With the cab ride it turned out to be quite expensive, but I am still glad we did it. Most of my pictures did not turn out, but I assure you this was a pretty cool setup.
Mugging aside, I couldn't be happier with New Orleans. Although there aren't a lot of backpacking opportunities around the city like Portland, Seattle, or Anchorage, I would consider moving here for the city's spirit and attitude alone. Everyone seems to be pretty happy and intent on having a good time. I definitely rate it as my favorite city thus far. I really want to go back someday soon.
