I'd like to promise this email won't be as long as my Egypt email but you never know!
Yet again I've had travel issues, this time we are delayed due to the weather. At this rate I should get to the hotel around 1am......nice :-) After a 4 hour flight to Dallas, Texas (yes why I flew there is
still beyond me!) And a 1 hour 20 minute flight to New Orleans I get to my destination "the big easy" rather later that I had thought.
still beyond me!) And a 1 hour 20 minute flight to New Orleans I get to my destination "the big easy" rather later that I had thought.
Saturday (January 13, 2007) I went for a run around the French Quarter, seeing quite a few sites (some which I didn't want to see again. I'm sure I was in areas tourists aren't suppose to be in) Had brunch, with two random guys, in a local restaurant which was very nice. Even better was I didn't pay. I wondered around the French Quarter a bit then did a walking tour (French Quarter Culinary History Tour.). I was the only one on the tour so we managed to see a lot more than they usually do. I now have a tough decision on where to eat. People here walk down the streets drinking which I'm finding a little different, given today (so far) is day 19 with no alcohol.
After the walk I went to Cafe Du Monde and had the famous beignets (which is basically pastry deep fried covered in icing sugar. Really good for the diet - NOT!). I kept wondering around the French Quarter (did the walk out of the lonely planet.) all the balconies are so cute. I foolishly decided to meet up with the guys I had brunch with. They had been drinking since 1pm (it was now 6pm) so you can imagine the state they were in.....after 5 minutes I left them too it. (A couple asked if I was with one of them as they were wasted I should be taking them home...I was like no way!).
I took myself to Pat O'Brien's to have a hurricane drink. Both the place and drink had been recommended to me so I had to check it out. One will certainly be enough given I haven't drunk in 19 days :-)
I took myself to Pat O'Brien's to have a hurricane drink. Both the place and drink had been recommended to me so I had to check it out. One will certainly be enough given I haven't drunk in 19 days :-)
I had dinner in Antoine's which I'd been to previously on the walking tour. The food was very good but the service was awful. By far the worse I've ever experienced in my life. I spoke with the manager about it (got money taken off my bill) along with giving no tip. I was very disappointed as this place has a great reputation.
I wondered up and down Bourbon Street just taking in the scene and listening to the music. Its certainly a place to be if you are with people and drinking lots. Stopped in a small park type place to listen to some jazz and got chatting to a lovely couple from Florida.
I wondered up and down Bourbon Street just taking in the scene and listening to the music. Its certainly a place to be if you are with people and drinking lots. Stopped in a small park type place to listen to some jazz and got chatting to a lovely couple from Florida.
Sunday I went for a run along the Mississippi River - it was so warm and humid. (This didn't last long as soon after I'd returned to the hotel the rain came down in buckets.) Had brunch at The Court of Two Sisters which included jazz. Great way to start a day. The food was buffet, some was um not good. Others, like Banana Foster (bananas in syrup) were out of this world. I think I need to run again :-)
The New Orleans Saints (football team) were playing to get into the superbowl so the
streets were deserted. It was rather strange given they had previously been packed.
I spent the afternoon wondering around the French Quarter taking in the sites, sounds and smells. Went into a few shops as well as visiting the Louisiana State Museum. They had a special Hurricane Katrina photograph section which I found very interesting. Late afternoon I enjoyed a glass of pimms while resting my feet :-) Well "the" game is now over (New Orleans lost) so the streets are now packed with people partying. Its going to be a long, loud and drunk night for a lot of people.
streets were deserted. It was rather strange given they had previously been packed.
I spent the afternoon wondering around the French Quarter taking in the sites, sounds and smells. Went into a few shops as well as visiting the Louisiana State Museum. They had a special Hurricane Katrina photograph section which I found very interesting. Late afternoon I enjoyed a glass of pimms while resting my feet :-) Well "the" game is now over (New Orleans lost) so the streets are now packed with people partying. Its going to be a long, loud and drunk night for a lot of people.
I decided to try out one of the restaurants, I saw yesterday on the tour, for a drink before dinner. And what a good thing I did as it was out of this world, French 75. Never fair I have taken down the recipe
(Bill - its a shaker!) and we will be having it numerous times over :-). A shame I have to move on for dinner. I ate at Emeril's which was fantastic! Would highly recommend it and would definitely return.
Since I hadn't really listened to jazz last night I decided to try out a jazz bar. The first one I tried was unfortunately closed. Maison Bourbon was the next one I found, which funnily enough I'd been
searching for as it had been recommended to me. I don't believe it was as busy as it usually is due to most of the city still partying. It was great just to sit there and listen.
(Bill - its a shaker!) and we will be having it numerous times over :-). A shame I have to move on for dinner. I ate at Emeril's which was fantastic! Would highly recommend it and would definitely return.
Since I hadn't really listened to jazz last night I decided to try out a jazz bar. The first one I tried was unfortunately closed. Maison Bourbon was the next one I found, which funnily enough I'd been
searching for as it had been recommended to me. I don't believe it was as busy as it usually is due to most of the city still partying. It was great just to sit there and listen.
Monday morning brought rain :-( and the day I'm leaving New Orleans. I started the day off with a local dish for breakfast - eggs Creole with a biscuit. (For those of you that live outside of America the closest thing to a biscuit is a scone.) Then spent the reminder of my time wondering the streets and going into lots of galleries.
Not sure if I'd return to New Orleans but I did enjoy it and would recommend people to visit.
Hope this finds everyone well and happy. Next trip (for work) is tomorrow to Philadelphia for the day, and Thursday to Boston for two days. Next personal trip is to Seattle on February 15th.
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