New Orleans - The Big Easy

Jackson Square New Orleans

“New Orleans is unlike any city in America. Its cultural diversity is woven into the food, the music, the architecture — even the local superstitions. It’s a sensory experience on all levels and there’s a story lurking around every corner.” - Ruta Sepetys

I’ve been wanting to visit New Orleans for an age but somehow the plans never came to fruition. After careful consideration and much advice about the weather I picked late March to visit here. Of course, I arrived in the middle of rain and a rare tornado to hit this area, what were the odds?

Fortunately, the sun came out the next day and I had a fabulous time exploring all that this city and its surroundings had to offer.

First stop was to visit an antebellum plantation along river road and take a step back into the past when cotton and sugar cane was king and there were more millionaires in New Orleans than any other American city.

The Oak Alley Plantation was built in 1839 fronted by a quarter mile drive of 28 Oak trees all 250 years old.

Next step was a swamp tour, where we took an airboat tour of the bayous and canals chasing alligators and other wildlife in the swamps. I had never ridden on an airboat before which proved to be a nice adventure in itself.

While we mostly saw alligators, we were fortunate to see a few birds who’s names I don’t know and an owl up in a tree with its eyes wide open even though it was daylight.

With the two locations outside the city in my rear-view mirror I was free to focus the rest of my time and energies on the city. Off to the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Even though it was a weekday I was fortunately to come across this group entertaining the tourists in the walking only area.

What I also enjoyed on this walk were other street performers but most importantly young aspiring musicians practicing their skills on buckets and boxes.

Even though I had thought I did not want to come to New Orleans during Mardi Gras because of the crowds I missed the crowds and enjoyed the glimpses of the masks and beads that are such a big part of this event.

Thanks to a tour guide on the Hop On Hop Off bus I learned a lot about Kings and Queens and courts and other things to do with Mardi Gras outside of the noisy parades that we see on television.

Food especially hot food and pepper is such an intrinsic part of the city that of course I had to seek out the pepper tasting. Now I am not into hot peppers, but I have plenty of friends who are so this one’s for them.

Beignets at Cafe Du Mond with Chicory coffee, Pecans, Barbeque Shrimps, Jambalaya, crawfish, Muffulettas I tried them all. I wish I had more days to taste some of the creole favorites that I was not able to get to.

I was amazed at people walking around with their drinks in the French quarter almost like it was a giant cruise ship. I joined them as I tasted hurricanes, Pimm’s cup but missed out on the mint juleps.

Oh My God! I have to go back to New Orleans to spend more time exploring the food.

Shopping ranged from high end antique stores and art galleries

To the French Market where one could taste and buy their way through the entire length.

On my way from the airport to my hotel my uber driver told me the story of Marie Laveau the original Voodoo priestess. Alas while one of my friends had suggested a voodoo tour, I was not able to accomplish this though I did visit the cemetery where Marie Laveau was buried.

Then to my horror I heard this story about how some of these old cemeteries are like crematoriums where the hot weather naturally takes care of the bodies allowing more bodies to be buried on top of the old. Shudder! what a gruesome tale, no wonder they talk about haunting and ghosts.

One can’t come to New Orleans and not visit some of the jazz clubs on Frenchman’s Street. I visited during the night but since it was a weeknight it was not as hopping as it would be on a weekend. For good measure I went back and walked through the daytime as well.

The beautiful garden district with its beautiful homes and architectural styles reminds you of a bygone age when visitors used the hitches in front of some of these homes to tie their horses.

The Sculpture Garden offers a very eclectic display but this memorial to Katrina caught my eye and my heart with its poignant message.

The stone bridge over the bayou epitomizes the genteel South.

Of course, a trip to New Orleans would not be complete without visiting the mighty Mississippi. After all it was the crescent that made New Orleans an attractive stopping place first for the French and then for the British.

Clearly, I need to go back since I barely scratched the surface of this intriguing city that has so much to offer. Still not sure that I want to brave Mardi Gras so instead I am going to time my next visit with the Jazz Festivals when the city is alive with the sound of trumpets.