Friday, November 30, 2018
Monday, November 19, 2018
New Orleans
Last weekend I drove from my temporary home in Montgomery, Alabama to New Orleans, Louisiana. It took about 4.5 hours. I rented a car because I wanted to keep the miles off my car (which has many). I got the car from Thrifty via hotwire.com I usually rent from Enterprise via Costco Travel, but I left it too late and there was nothing available from Enterprise. I had to pick up my car at Montgomery airport. Luckily, my former roommate gave me a ride. He also watched Chewy for me.
First stop - Mississippi
I stopped at a rest area in Mississippi and found this notice about the color of the toilet water:
Parking - I parked at Canal Place across the street from the casino, Harrah's New Orleans.
It seemed to be a fair price and in an easy to locate place. It was about thirty dollars for the day and right when you exit the parking garage, there is a tour bus stop selling tickets. There are also lots of crowds, so I asked for directions to Bourbon Street.
Next up Bourbon Street - I walked about eight crowded, side street, blocks until I came upon Bourbon Street. There were police standing at road signs that blocked off the street. I had no idea
where to start, so I just turned to the right and moseyed on down the way. It was just as I had seen in pictures, with so many lights, bar after bar, and people walking down the street with drinks. There were people standing on balconies at bars looking at the people below. Music emanated from the bars to the streets. At first it seemed exciting, then it started to take a turn. I had a person in drag come up to me to take a picture with me and ask me for money for a "sex change operation." I quickly realized since I was a woman alone, I was definitely seen as an easy target. I went into a shop to buy my obligatory souvenir magnet and the surly shop owner saw my measly purchase and insisted that I had to pay cash. No problem, I said. Thank goodness, for once in my life I had cash on me. This shop owner just seemed like he hated every one that walked into his shop. Then I decided to stop in a bar and actually sit down and listen to some authentic Zydeco music, which was recommended to me by someone in the chiropractor's office. I had never heard of it before, so when I saw a sign for it, I stopped in. The bouncer let me know in no uncertain terms that there was a one drink minimum and I needed to buy a drink to have a seat. No problem, I said. I went to the bar to order a drink and just ordered what seemed to be their signature drink. The bartenders were wearing ear plugs and did not
look happy to be there. I felt like I was in the episode of Seinfeld with the "Soup Nazi" where I had to quickly and confidently place my order and pay immediately. Once I got my drink, I found a seat in the front row of a quite small room with a band playing in the front. There were a couple of drunk people dancing in front of the band, but everyone else was seated (there wasn't room to do much else). I tried to focus on the music and noticed the looks on the band member's faces. They also didn't seem happy to be there. In fact, it looked like at least one of them hated their life. I know that seems like a strong statement, but that's the impression I got. I was disappointed no one was playing a washboard or something like that. Shortly thereafter, I saw a panhandler playing a plastic washboard with a sticker on it that said, "Music is not a crime."
Pedi cab -
I was growing tired of Bourbon Street, and I saw a bicycle with a seat attached.
I asked if he could give me a ride and he said yeah. It was hard for me to get on the bike b/c the step was a bit high for me, but I crawled on in. (After that, I always got on and off at a curb.) I originally asked for House of Blues because I wanted somewhere I could eat while listening to live music. He suggested Frenchman Street. On the way there, it was a little nippy, but he had a blanket available. He gave me a proper tour telling me all out the galleries vs. balconies (one covers the sidewalk, the other doesn't), Romeo spikes (to prevent people from climbing fences) and how New Orleans has the only confirmed vampire existence. He showed me where Anne Rice used to live. It makes sense now why she would write such stories. This was such a cool experience and worth every penny. It was $1 a block. He gave me his card so that I could call when I needed a ride back to my car.
Frenchman Street - As we rode by, I could hear a band playing at a Mexican restaurant on the corner.
I decided to stop there and ate on the patio while listening to the music. After finishing, I headed down Frenchman Street and came upon some "New Orleans" style music on the sidewalk. The crowd was so large, it was blocking the street!
AirBnB - I stayed at an AirBnB outside of New Orleans. It ended up being farther out than I anticipated, but it was only like $25 a night, so you really can't beat that. There was this sign on one of the bedroom doors. Needless to say, I did not open that door. It was just a place to sleep and served its function, though if I go again, I will probably pay a little more to be closer to New Orleans.
Bus Tour
St. Louis Cemetery #1
73 Distilling - 301 N. Claiborne Avenue. - We stopped here for a short bathroom break and to sample their fine spirits. I asked which would be appropriate for someone who is a wuss about alcohol and she told me all of the samples were at least 80 proof, so I passed on that. I did, however, purchase a drink at the bar that was recommended for a lightweight such as myself. It was fine, not something I'd get again. Oh, and I paid $2 for a small bag of chips because by this point I was starving. Could've done with a restaurant stop as part of the tour.
Gumbo Festival - Read about it here.
The 2018 Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival took place Saturday, Nov. 17, and Sunday, Nov., 18, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. both days in Louis Armstrong Park. Admission is free.
I told my tour bus driver that I was going to get dinner and he told me about the Gumbo Festival going on. He even dropped me off there. I was so excited to see that there was not only vegetarian gumbo offered, but also gluten free.
First stop - Mississippi
I stopped at a rest area in Mississippi and found this notice about the color of the toilet water:
Well, that's good to know. That's about all I experienced in Mississippi.
Parking - I parked at Canal Place across the street from the casino, Harrah's New Orleans.
Next up Bourbon Street - I walked about eight crowded, side street, blocks until I came upon Bourbon Street. There were police standing at road signs that blocked off the street. I had no idea 
where to start, so I just turned to the right and moseyed on down the way. It was just as I had seen in pictures, with so many lights, bar after bar, and people walking down the street with drinks. There were people standing on balconies at bars looking at the people below. Music emanated from the bars to the streets. At first it seemed exciting, then it started to take a turn. I had a person in drag come up to me to take a picture with me and ask me for money for a "sex change operation." I quickly realized since I was a woman alone, I was definitely seen as an easy target. I went into a shop to buy my obligatory souvenir magnet and the surly shop owner saw my measly purchase and insisted that I had to pay cash. No problem, I said. Thank goodness, for once in my life I had cash on me. This shop owner just seemed like he hated every one that walked into his shop. Then I decided to stop in a bar and actually sit down and listen to some authentic Zydeco music, which was recommended to me by someone in the chiropractor's office. I had never heard of it before, so when I saw a sign for it, I stopped in. The bouncer let me know in no uncertain terms that there was a one drink minimum and I needed to buy a drink to have a seat. No problem, I said. I went to the bar to order a drink and just ordered what seemed to be their signature drink. The bartenders were wearing ear plugs and did not 
Pedi cab -
I was growing tired of Bourbon Street, and I saw a bicycle with a seat attached.
I asked if he could give me a ride and he said yeah. It was hard for me to get on the bike b/c the step was a bit high for me, but I crawled on in. (After that, I always got on and off at a curb.) I originally asked for House of Blues because I wanted somewhere I could eat while listening to live music. He suggested Frenchman Street. On the way there, it was a little nippy, but he had a blanket available. He gave me a proper tour telling me all out the galleries vs. balconies (one covers the sidewalk, the other doesn't), Romeo spikes (to prevent people from climbing fences) and how New Orleans has the only confirmed vampire existence. He showed me where Anne Rice used to live. It makes sense now why she would write such stories. This was such a cool experience and worth every penny. It was $1 a block. He gave me his card so that I could call when I needed a ride back to my car.
Frenchman Street - As we rode by, I could hear a band playing at a Mexican restaurant on the corner.
I decided to stop there and ate on the patio while listening to the music. After finishing, I headed down Frenchman Street and came upon some "New Orleans" style music on the sidewalk. The crowd was so large, it was blocking the street!
AirBnB - I stayed at an AirBnB outside of New Orleans. It ended up being farther out than I anticipated, but it was only like $25 a night, so you really can't beat that. There was this sign on one of the bedroom doors. Needless to say, I did not open that door. It was just a place to sleep and served its function, though if I go again, I will probably pay a little more to be closer to New Orleans.
Bus Tour
St. Louis Cemetery #1
 |
| 73 Distillery |
Gumbo Festival - Read about it here.
The 2018 Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival took place Saturday, Nov. 17, and Sunday, Nov., 18, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. both days in Louis Armstrong Park. Admission is free.
I told my tour bus driver that I was going to get dinner and he told me about the Gumbo Festival going on. He even dropped me off there. I was so excited to see that there was not only vegetarian gumbo offered, but also gluten free.
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