February 10, 2015;
Trina’s Travels…
New Orleans…blended cultures, colorful history, jazz and blues music, Cajun food, mystery, and much more….
Dear Friends,
Hope everyone is surviving the winter. Thank God it has been a mild one so far.
I just got back from a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico and the Grand Cayman Islands. Will tell you about those adventures later. Since this is February, the month of Mardi Gras, I thought it fitting to write an article on one of my favorite cities.
The Big Easy, The Crescent City, or N’awlins, whatever you wanna call it, New Orleans is unlike any other city in the world. (By the way, if you call it any of these nicknames, it’s a dead giveaway you are an outsider. Most locals call it by its name or NOLA).
Sitting in the bend of the Mississippi River, New Orleans is a city in it’s own little world. I will never forget when I visited nearly 20 years ago, driving from mainland Louisiana, crossing the bridge over Lake Pontchartrain on the Causeway, the longest bridge over water in the world; 23 miles!
As if that sight wasn’t magnificent enough, you enter into New Orleans, a city that seems as one with the mighty Mississippi herself. Then, you discover the French Quarter, the heart of it all.
There’s so much to do here, and be aware…the French Quarter just like New York City, never sleeps. Nightspots never close, people are out and about at all hours, and live music is going on somewhere all the time. We were walking down the street and my son had a UK shirt on when we came upon a saxophone player. When he saw us, he started playing ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ which brought a smile to my face and a couple bucks into his sax case. We later ran into a mime that was a lot of fun too.
One of the most unique things about New Orleans is the blend of people that make up its culture. Ethnic groups of Cajun, African, American Indian, Cuban, Creole, French and other people of European decent make accents hard to determine, but friendliness easy to find. Even my hillbilly-southern twang fit in, as I was made to feel welcomed and at ease in this pot of peculiars in the Deep South.
(Click on photo at right for slideshow)
The French Quarter is the heart of New Orleans and Jackson Square is the heart of the French Quarter. A historic park and national landmark, featuring the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral as the backdrop for the bronze statue of General Andrew Jackson on his majestic horse, is in the center of the city. The church is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continuous use in the U.S. Jackson Square is the site of music events, art shows, festivals, and it’s also where tarot card and palm readers set up to tell tourists fortunes, a practice that goes back hundreds of years here.
The most famous street in the city is Bourbon Street. Originally, the streets were named after French royal houses and Catholic saints. Bourbon Street was named after the French ruling family in 1721, the House of Bourbon. Now the street is famous for it’s many bars, restaurants, shopping, music and people watching. A favorite souvenir is a Citation from Bourbon Street for ‘Not Partying Hard Enough,’ although you may also be cited for girl or guy watching, carrying a concealed smile, among other crimes.
In continuous operation and existing on the same site since 1791, is the French Market which began as a Native American trading post. Merchants from all over the world bring their wares to this open air market that is open 365 days a year from 9:00-6:00. You can find clothing, jewelry, antiques, art, crafts, food, and a large farmers and grocers market.
One of my favorite things about the French Quarter is the architecture. The old brick buildings with the ornate ironwork are beautiful. In the back of nearly every restaurant is a courtyard surrounded with walls of ivy and a fountain of gurgling water that invites you to linger a little longer. We didn’t stay in the French Quarter, our hotel was just outside the area, but was also pretty cool, with a huge clarinet on one side of the building.
This brings us to the subject of music. If you love jazz and blues, you’ve got the best of both in New Orleans. The House of Blues has had musicians from Fats Domino to Eric Clapton, and on Sunday morning the house rocks with a gospel brunch. Preservation Hall is the most well known traditional jazz club in the city (which is the birthplace of jazz music). Sweet Lorraine’s is another favorite spot with more modern jazz.
There’s a lot of famous restaurants in New Orleans, but probably the most famous is Café du Monde, known for its beignets and chicory coffee. This is a must do.
You should also check out Pat O’ Briens, the best known pub in town. Although they are known for their drinks, they have everything from fresh seafood to gumbo to wings, alligator bites and Cajun creations. Since 1933 their motto has been “Have Fun” and I did!
As you all know, I am a history freak, and man does this place have it…and some of it really is freakish, such as ‘City of the Dead’ another place you gotta see. Since New Orleans is barely above sea level, cemeteries have to be above ground in tombs, crypts, or mausoleums. The various shapes, sizes, designs and decorations make it look like a city. You get a strange feeling when walking amongst the centuries old monuments.
One of its most famous inhabitants is Marie Laveau, a renowned Queen of Voodoo, another practice that has been present in the city for hundreds of years. Marie’s ghost is said to have been seen in the cemetery and many believe she returns each year to lead the faithful in worship on St. John’s Eve.
This is just one of many stories of ‘haunted New Orleans.’ Whether you’re a believer or not, it certainly adds to the mystery of a very old city with a colorful and dark
past.
Mardi Gras, the famous festival held each February in New Orleans in the French Quarter, is an age old French custom also known as ‘Fat Tuesday.’ It refers to the celebrations beginning around King’s Day, ending before Ash Wednesday, that celebrates the practice of eating rich or fatty foods before the ritual of fasting during Lenten season. Practices include wearing festive masks or costumes.
I could go on and on about this place, but if you ever get a chance you should go. It is definitely a top U.S. destination. Other must see and do’s in or nearby the city: take a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi, visit Oak Alley Plantation, take a swamp tour, visit Immaculate Conception Church, ride a street car, see the city from Top of the Mart, visit museums, there’s so much more, but these are a few of the best of the best.
I’m not one for going back to the same place twice because there’s just too much I want to see and do, and if I live to be a hundred I can never do it all (although I am trying very hard!) However, I would like to return to New Orleans for Mari Gras someday.
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching….New Orleans during Mardi Gras would be a great Valentine trip! This year, Fat Tuesday is on February 17, although festivities including the parades will also take place the weekend before…which happens to be on Valentine’s Day! Whatever you do on on the day dedicated to love, have a great time and stay safe.
Until next time, lots of love….
Adventure Awaits!
Note: Next month I will explain the conversion of Rambling Fever Travel into a travel club, and list some great trips coming up that require your participation and love for travel…on a budget.
