Let the good times roll……in New Orleans
Oh, the sights and sounds of New Orleans was something to
behold. New Orleans portrays a unique
slant on life revealing a city and people with a rich spirit that rises above both
adversity and diversity. No matter your ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or
disability there is a place for you in New Orleans. Walking through the French
Quarter opens your eyes to an old world that is slowly evolving to embrace the
new age, but struggling to maintain its charm.
It has a wonderful cultural history and the best jazz I have ever
heard. From the food to the clubs and
bars, the trip was an adventure of art, music, and cuisine.
We were fortunate to arrive on the Friday that they start to
celebrate the coming of Mardi Gras. Our first night on Bourbon Street did not
disappoint. Marching bands and a parade
brought cheers from the crowds lining the street. Beads were thrown from the
balconies and costumed individuals passed out beads as they danced along beside
the parade and beyond. . Police presence
is everywhere and although it seemed a bit wild there was an organized chaos to
everything. Drinking is allowed in the
streets and walk up bars are everywhere for “walking drinks”. Music blares from the bars and the smells of
Cajun cooking is all around. We found a
small club that had really great jazz and spent a good hour or so taking in the
sound of “Maddie and her Friends” . She could really sing and her whole body
sang with her as she felt the music. All were great musicians, especially the
trumpet player. We ended up at pat O’Brien’s
duelling piano bar, a well-known French quarter haunt. A fantastic evening of
music and speaking with other travelers and locals topped off our night. You
know you are getting old when a couple of thirty year old guys sitting beside
us tell us not to drink too much and be careful getting home. Yup, the tables have turned.
The cuisine makes a statement with its fried and spicy flair
creating a mouth-watering event just by smelling the food. Although I am not usually a fan of fried
food, the way in which it is prepared leaves you wanting more. No heavy
coatings or greasy drippings left on the plate or fingers, just a rich fresh
flavour enhanced by the burst of Creole spice. Gumbo, fried shrimp, creole red fish with a
many varieties of po’-boys are general fare. They also make a mean Cajun mac
and cheese… hot and delicious. Both the gumbo and mac and cheese had some kind
of seafood in it, not sure what it was….and I didn’t ask. Sometimes it bests
just to eat it. I have to say I passed when it came to sucking on the claws in
my soup. Ha, maybe next time!!!!!!
My favorite part of the trip was walking down Royal Street
during the afternoons and listening to the street music. Musicians set up on
every corner and played for tips. Many of these bands played in the clubs and
bars at night and supplemented their income with busking. Standing on the
corner listening to great music was a fantastic way to spend an afternoon.
Our trip included a tour of the city with a very humorous
tour guide, a cemetery walk, the city park with a sculpture garden, a walk
through the French Market, Jackson Square, and St Louis cathedral and a view of
the Mississippi River. All the New
Orleans highlights visited and stroked off our list. The last evening we
ventured out to Frenchmen Street where all the locals go to listen to
Jazz. The two block section of street
that contains the clubs and restaurants is not all glitzy and lit up like
Bourbon Street but still has a great vibe and is purported to have the bests
jazz and music. I would definitely spend more time there if I were to go to New
Orleans again.
All in all it was a fun 5 days with lots of new experiences
and a load of memories to keep me going until I make it back there again. As they say in New Orleans ……
"Laissez les bon temps rouller".
